A week after Katrina
Today marks a week following the devastating horrifying natural disaster brought about to the Gulf Region of the United States by Hurricane Katrina and the ensuing broken levees. From some 15,000 miles away, this incident is as devastating as the 26th Dec 2005 Tsunami.
Been one of those who had been glued to the news and webnews, it's heartbreaking to see the devastation faced by so many people in Louisiana, Mississippi, and some parts of Alabama. To look at people crying from loss of family and love ones, wives, mothers, fathers, the old folks at the Old Folks home, babies, children. And those who have lost everything they owned. It's heartbreaking.
I first heard about Katrina from the Weather webforecasts. I had a couple of cities logged and saved in my main page. Cardiff - because Muz is there, New York - being the place I like to go again and always, Boston - being that place I'd always want to go again and Northern California. The meteriologist had mentioned of the pending hurrincane, which once has lost its momentum two weeks ago, had gained all the right ingredients of warm water, wind and air temperature to recreate itself. It is now headed towards the Gulf States and not elsewhere as it was first predicted. The next day I saw a headlines, residents advised to evacuate cities next 48 hours.
From last couple of days,I saw reports on the evacuation announcement was made by the mayor of New Orleans, by the Emergency Management Unit Head (who last night has committed suicide), I saw reports of the aftermath from the hurricane to New Orleans, which mostly brought by flooding waters from the broken levees that separated the city from Lake Ponchartrain, I saw reports on how thousands of townfolks seeking refuge at New Orleans Superdome, and the Converntion Center, I saw reports of anarchy that broke out after that. I saw reports of attempted rapes at the Convention Center, of families who said when one of them had to go to the toilet, all will follow as it is just not safe to go alone; I saw reports of a double amputee who made his way up to the attic and 5days later saved by good samatarian who went on boats to rescue people; I saw reports of this man crying while holding his son - he lost his wife and a baby. They were stuck in drowning waters of their home; I saw reports of people looting; I saw reports of men who decided they do not want to leave despite rising waters; I saw reports of an Old Folks Home losing lives (about 3) from heat within a day, the caretaker, crying for help on the phone and to the streets only to be shot at by gangsters; I saw reports of policemen who has los everything and having to face the stress to defend the city; I saw reports on how one committed suicide upon learning that he has lost his wife to the devastation. Tired policemen with nothing left, helping others. I saw reports made by doctors who were there in the local hospitals. I saw reports of people stealing food from the local groceries because they had to (they ended up cooking for the remaining victim who were left homeless in downtown New Orleans); I also saw reports of how a casino which was uplifted my the hurricane and moved to its new location half a mile away! I saw reports of floating feces everywhere even in the lobby of a Marriott; I saw reports on ensuing danger of spreading tropical weather diseases like Mosquito Born diseases, ecoli, thypoid.
I also saw a lot of blaming on TV. Mostly by the able and those watching. Pure blame that came out from the devastation. Blaming that came as a counter attack from critisim. Critism which only came because of the slow reponse to the emergency situation. Of why buses, rescue workers, water and food were not sent. I saw a CNN reporter pressing hard on a UN officer why they are not there? The officer was trying very hard to explain that they have an inventory list of what they can do to help, but could not just flew in without proper green light from the American government. This could not be explained properly then maybe perhaps due to Language. The UN rep spoke out of Geneva. Perhaps it was easier to help when people cooperate. Much like what was received by the victims and the government of the Tsunami vistims. There also a lot of report on whether the help came late because of race. 70% of New Orleans are African American. They are mostly poor with per capita income of less than 17,000 USD. Then there are reports on those in Biloxi are mostly whites. Many, poor and rich has lost almost completely everything. There was also a lot of report of perhaps the slow reponse was due to major effort and concentration on National Security from terrorist attack. Apparently, budgets for Emergency for Natural Disasters were cut short due to the war in the Middle East as well as to cover the cost for all the bureuacracies needed to support these processes and systrems. I went to the office and some said this is god's wrath,a retribution to what America has done to the rest of the world. I heard similar remarks few weeks ago when KL was hit by the very bad haze. I find these remarks are just mean and unhealthy to me. It's scary to be in the company of. What good will this bring? I dont have an answer.
Today, it was reported that the authorities is now faced with the gruesome tasks to search and remove the dead, rescue those who may still be alive; street after street.
It's unbelieveable to see much of third world scenario and much worst behavior happening in US, especially New Orleans. I have been to New Orleans. My friends and I who went loved the place. We saw anarchy today but we felt safe when we were there. (There are still some parts in the US which you can just feel, that it is not so safe eg: Toursim Malaysia's office in LA; it is so closely located to South Central) Back to New Orleans, it's a place which is famously known as The Big Easy for its jazz, rythm and blues music and cajun food. It's pretty, easy-to-like place. I had fond memories of it.
I pray to the one and hope, yours and mine will safe its people and give them strength to move on.
Been one of those who had been glued to the news and webnews, it's heartbreaking to see the devastation faced by so many people in Louisiana, Mississippi, and some parts of Alabama. To look at people crying from loss of family and love ones, wives, mothers, fathers, the old folks at the Old Folks home, babies, children. And those who have lost everything they owned. It's heartbreaking.
I first heard about Katrina from the Weather webforecasts. I had a couple of cities logged and saved in my main page. Cardiff - because Muz is there, New York - being the place I like to go again and always, Boston - being that place I'd always want to go again and Northern California. The meteriologist had mentioned of the pending hurrincane, which once has lost its momentum two weeks ago, had gained all the right ingredients of warm water, wind and air temperature to recreate itself. It is now headed towards the Gulf States and not elsewhere as it was first predicted. The next day I saw a headlines, residents advised to evacuate cities next 48 hours.
From last couple of days,I saw reports on the evacuation announcement was made by the mayor of New Orleans, by the Emergency Management Unit Head (who last night has committed suicide), I saw reports of the aftermath from the hurricane to New Orleans, which mostly brought by flooding waters from the broken levees that separated the city from Lake Ponchartrain, I saw reports on how thousands of townfolks seeking refuge at New Orleans Superdome, and the Converntion Center, I saw reports of anarchy that broke out after that. I saw reports of attempted rapes at the Convention Center, of families who said when one of them had to go to the toilet, all will follow as it is just not safe to go alone; I saw reports of a double amputee who made his way up to the attic and 5days later saved by good samatarian who went on boats to rescue people; I saw reports of this man crying while holding his son - he lost his wife and a baby. They were stuck in drowning waters of their home; I saw reports of people looting; I saw reports of men who decided they do not want to leave despite rising waters; I saw reports of an Old Folks Home losing lives (about 3) from heat within a day, the caretaker, crying for help on the phone and to the streets only to be shot at by gangsters; I saw reports of policemen who has los everything and having to face the stress to defend the city; I saw reports on how one committed suicide upon learning that he has lost his wife to the devastation. Tired policemen with nothing left, helping others. I saw reports made by doctors who were there in the local hospitals. I saw reports of people stealing food from the local groceries because they had to (they ended up cooking for the remaining victim who were left homeless in downtown New Orleans); I also saw reports of how a casino which was uplifted my the hurricane and moved to its new location half a mile away! I saw reports of floating feces everywhere even in the lobby of a Marriott; I saw reports on ensuing danger of spreading tropical weather diseases like Mosquito Born diseases, ecoli, thypoid.
I also saw a lot of blaming on TV. Mostly by the able and those watching. Pure blame that came out from the devastation. Blaming that came as a counter attack from critisim. Critism which only came because of the slow reponse to the emergency situation. Of why buses, rescue workers, water and food were not sent. I saw a CNN reporter pressing hard on a UN officer why they are not there? The officer was trying very hard to explain that they have an inventory list of what they can do to help, but could not just flew in without proper green light from the American government. This could not be explained properly then maybe perhaps due to Language. The UN rep spoke out of Geneva. Perhaps it was easier to help when people cooperate. Much like what was received by the victims and the government of the Tsunami vistims. There also a lot of report on whether the help came late because of race. 70% of New Orleans are African American. They are mostly poor with per capita income of less than 17,000 USD. Then there are reports on those in Biloxi are mostly whites. Many, poor and rich has lost almost completely everything. There was also a lot of report of perhaps the slow reponse was due to major effort and concentration on National Security from terrorist attack. Apparently, budgets for Emergency for Natural Disasters were cut short due to the war in the Middle East as well as to cover the cost for all the bureuacracies needed to support these processes and systrems. I went to the office and some said this is god's wrath,a retribution to what America has done to the rest of the world. I heard similar remarks few weeks ago when KL was hit by the very bad haze. I find these remarks are just mean and unhealthy to me. It's scary to be in the company of. What good will this bring? I dont have an answer.
Today, it was reported that the authorities is now faced with the gruesome tasks to search and remove the dead, rescue those who may still be alive; street after street.
It's unbelieveable to see much of third world scenario and much worst behavior happening in US, especially New Orleans. I have been to New Orleans. My friends and I who went loved the place. We saw anarchy today but we felt safe when we were there. (There are still some parts in the US which you can just feel, that it is not so safe eg: Toursim Malaysia's office in LA; it is so closely located to South Central) Back to New Orleans, it's a place which is famously known as The Big Easy for its jazz, rythm and blues music and cajun food. It's pretty, easy-to-like place. I had fond memories of it.
I pray to the one and hope, yours and mine will safe its people and give them strength to move on.
posted by Biscottisue at
3:31 PM
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