TheBanyanTree: hurricane

[Sachet]

People say evacuate (which leads to where, how and when.... all of which 
isn't easy or cheap) and prepare for the worst, but no one can conceive 
of the devastation of a hurricane until it happens and they are left 
with the literal pieces to pick up.

The one most prevailing thing that amazed, terrified and still sticks 
with me, after Charlie hit, was that we couldn't call for help. That was 
mind-blowing. Even if we could have called, there was no one to respond. 
We were literally on our own with what supplies we had gathered and that 
was the harsh and simple fact of it for days. We were specifically told 
to stay in our homes until it was safe. Safe? What was safe in a world 
turned upside down?!?  It was a helpless feeling and to take all of that 
and add the devastating LOSS of a loved one?....a destroyed 
home?....flood waters?...waiting for who knows how long for a place to 
live again?....I can't begin to get my mind around it for the people hit 
by Katrina.

I know a lot of people are angry about New Orleans and there are things 
about timely intervention that I don't understand either. But I also 
know from our experience with 3 hurricanes last year, on a much, MUCH 
smaller scale than what MI, LA and AL are experiencing that the overall 
chaos & devastation is mind-numbing for everyone. Even the 
professionals. People seem to think you can just drive trucks and 
supplies wherever you want and that's simply not the case initially. 
There are layers of seemingly insurmountable problems to overcome. 
Lineman had to clear the downed lines to make it safe (a lady near us in 
FL stepped outside her own home and stepped on a live power line and 
died) and then the tree crews had to clear the trees, which takes time. 
There is a *massive* amount of other debris all over the place and then 
triage has to be organized as they figure out what areas are hit 
hardest, because it is simply humanly impossible to meet the needs of 
that MANY people very quickly. Now add in the flooding to slow 
everything down even more with the maddening addition of countless other 
incomprehensible obstacles.
No power, phones and water are overwhelming obstacles that impede 
efforts to an unimaginable degree. Our area was on the edge of Charlie 
and we were without power, phones and water for 5 days. The only reason 
we got power THAT quickly was because of the linemen from all over the 
country who worked 24/7 in 100 degree temps. But it took a few DAYS for 
those crews to arrive and be dispersed in an orderly manner. It does no 
good to get power lines up when the sub-stations has been destroyed or 
are inaccessible due to the flooding. It all has to be planned out to be 
the most effective. I get frustrated that the media doesn't help point 
that out. People *were* scrambling and thousands of MRE's (Meals Ready 
to Eat) were sent down stat, along with thousands of other supplies. NO 
ONE expected the enormous overwhelming number of people in need after 
Katrina.

We live in country of instant solutions and instant service. Mother 
Nature brutally throws a massive hurricane our way and we find that 
instant doesn't apply.

People need to hear that help IS arriving hourly, and they need 
authorities in charge who provide clear direction and instill hope. They 
don't need to hear comments or insinuations made about how lack of help 
is dictated by race. The latter is divisive and feeds the anger and 
helplessness. I think it does a great disservice to all the thousands of 
volunteers and military personnel who HAVE BEEN and ARE there serving 
where needed and they don't even see dividing lines of race and income 
level.

Field hospitals WERE set up ASAP and prepared to treat 250 people an 
hour. They've been seeing over 800 an hour. How do you prepare for THAT 
many people when all best educated estimates were so much lower?

A trusted friend clarified that "in 4 days the Coast Guard and other 
branches had rescued over 10,000 people, mostly by helicopter.  That 
equates to over 100 and hour. With the amount of equipment they had to 
work with and the conditions they worked under that is nothing less than 
herculean.  They did this 24 hours a day with little rest and at risk to 
their own lives."

Everyone is now facing the harsh reality that New Orleans was not 
prepared. An article I read in Newsweek yesterday pointed out that there 
was a plan to update and strengthen the levee system, but it was 
considered too expensive at the time. We can't even begin to tally what 
that decision has now cost in human lives. And in reality, could 
anything have completely prepared the city for the destructive force of 
Katrina?

I wish more people would stop focusing on what wasn't done according to 
their own personal politically biased opinions and focus more on what IS 
being done. I admire the attitude of the Governor of Louisiana who says 
she's not playing the blame game, but is instead focusing on fixing the 
problems. Blame can be placed at a later date, because human nature 
sadly dictates the need for it, but now is not the time. Now is the time 
to help steer conversations with family and friends, and even strangers 
we meet while shopping, to more supportive and/or active roles. Now is 
the time to DO something constructive.

It was so encouraging to see a couple at Sam's yesterday, filling up a 
Hurricane Relief truck with supplies to drive down to LA. When I was 
asking the guy what he specifically needed, because he already had cases 
and cases of drinks & food, he pointed out that feminine products are 
being overlooked. I was so impressed with his common sense and compassion.

There are thousands of people just like him, down there now or on there 
way there. And then there are those of us, who aren't able to go down 
there, but are sending supplies and money to be supportive.  I sure hope 
the media helps turn the tide of anger and disgust to one of hope and 
support by focusing on the positive FACTS of the rescue efforts, too. 
They have such power to sway opinions and actions. As do we...

...Sachet