. . . Katrina's effects. . .
It is frustrating to think there are so many people wedged up in their attics (if they could) with no way to contact the outside world. . . and have been there for 30 hours now, with nothing to drink. Many have no roof vents and so they are running out of air. . .claustrophobia may have caused others to take drastic and perhaps deadly measures. 500 rescue boats seem like the answer, though even that would take days to reach all homes.
The other frustration is the power grid. Really now. . .why does it need to be hot in a region that has undergone catastrophic flooding. One of the excuses I have heard regarding rescue efforts has been live wires and leaking natural gas. I cannot understand why these are not automatically shut down in the entire region upon such a natural disaster.
Meanwhile, emotional rescue efforts aside. . . economic effects of this storm include of course oil prices (area handles 1/5th of all U.S. oil. . .and there are a half dozen oil rigs floating around the gulf with untold damage), natural gas (area handles 1/4th of all U.S. natural gas), unleaded gas (near zero word from the gulf coast's largest refinery center).
I actually heard a talking head say that disasters like this are good for the economy in the long run, because they put many to work rebuilding homes, etc. Tell that to those who lose their jobs, due to their businesses being destroyed by flood and wind. Tell that to those traumatized for years following this disaster, due to shock, stress or loss of loved ones.
There is no "bouncing back" from this one. Camille was devastating to the area, and its effects could still be measured DECADES later. Katrina will undoubtedly be the same and may effect a far wider area than Camille.
Any guesstimate as to how many homes are flooded? One million? How about the number of businesses flooded? 30,000? Guess what? Homeowners insurance does not cover flood water. One must have specific flood insurance to be covered by insurance. That is the primary reason that insurance companies are not taking a big hit on the markets.
The flood waters in New Orleans are potentially deadly in other ways as well. River water, lake water, ocean water and rain water are rapidly contaminating with gasoline and oil from submerged vehicles and untold and unknown amounts of chemicals, liquids, waste or other such contaminants from nearby factories. This is a highly industrial region.
I imagine workers could use thousands of water monitoring devices, but of course that is not on peoples minds right now as rescue efforts are of first priority and access is still stymied. This is a major mess, far, far worse in so many ways than Andrew.
I remember people lining up for drinking water the day after Andrew. I was stunned at the shear lack of people trying to wade in water, row boats or use makeshift rafts to get to safety. . .especially Gulfport and Biloxi, Mississippi, not to mention several cities not yet heard from.
A few ways to quell that feeling of helplessness we all feel. . . .one is to pray for the people affected by this storm. Another is to give. How about a tithe from trading earnings earmarked to "Red Cross - Gulfport" or "Red Cross - Biloxi" or
"Red Cross - New Orleans".
If you have ever gambled in Mississippi or partied in New Orleans, you already feel somewhat of a connection to the losses encountered there.
How about cancelling your Labor Day trip and sending the money to assist others instead. Gas is too high to drive anywhere or have much fun anyway. Plus, it is a great lesson to teach our children, or in some cases our children's children.
This was a wound to all of America, much the same as 9/11. It will require a similar response by all Americans for this area to endure.
Best wishes,
Rande Is |
