Katrina

[Jim]

There's not much in the way of words that can ease the minds of loved ones in this disaster, but just be sure our thoughts and prayers are with you through this troubling time...
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[jasmine64]

I support the American Red Cross, Blood donations, Operation Blessing (cbn.com) and local k-9 unit.
 
I felt very good yesterday when the operation blessing trucks rolled in to Hattiesburg MS. Knowing my donations I've been giving since the tsunami last year,  was at work.

[MoonDawg]

We need to send a cruise ship to the Gulf to be used as a floating hospital.

[BrianB]

Actually there has been talk of using a few cruise liners as temporary berthing facilities. The Navy has already sent the USNS Comfort which is one of two huge Hospital Ships that we maintain in our fleet.

[Pat Pixley]

Hey jasmine64 , do you need any thing  like some can goods or any supplies,  to help out for a while .Just say so
and I will send it off to you. Ok Thats what this is all about
 to help friends out.

Pat P.

[jasmine64]

I'll get back with you after we go to the shelter today. We are working with my daughters school with the community service club taking donations, clothes and food.

They will know what else is needed. I should know more after lunch.

[joesquid]

The Navy has deployed an entire Battle Group to the Gulf Region.  USS IWO JIMA (LHD-7) deployed 31 August from Norfolk, VA along with the Amphibious Transport Dock Ship USS SHREVEPORT (LPD-12), the Dock Landing Ship USS TORTUGA (LSD-46) and LCACs (high speed heavy lift hovercraft) from ACU-2.  Also deployed was the Rescue/Salvage Vessel USS GRAPPLE (ARS-53).  The combined capabilities of these ships will provide Helo landing/supply facilities (USS IWO JIMA), transportation of supplies to the beach via helo/LCAC/conventional landing craft (USS SHREVEPORT and TORTUGA), and salvage, heavy tow operations, self support dive platform operations, firefighting, and rescue capabilities (USS GRAPPLE).
Also from Norfolk, the aircraft carrier USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN-75), and Dock Landing Ship USS WHIDBEY ISLAND (LSD-41) deployed yesterday (1 September).  TRUMAN will be the operations center for relief/rescue efforts performed by the battle group.  This battle group will join USS BATTAN (LHD-5) already on station and providing relief support.  USNS ARCTIC (T-AOE-8) is enroute from New Jersey and will provide extra stores supplies for the relief efforts.  This ship alone can supply up to 8 million gallons of fuel and water, 500 long tons of stores and 250 tons of refrigerated stores.  She's a recently designed fast combat oiler using gas turbines (same ones that push DC-10s through the sky) for propulsion and a top speed in excess of 30 knots.  I served onboard her sister ship USNS RAINIER (T-AOE-7) and can guarantee nothing moves that amount of supplies faster!  I've also served in the Rescue/Salvage fleet and can tell you USS GRAPPLE is as capable as they come.  She's small with a shallow draft that allows her to get in close to shore to clear a path for beach support operations and can maneuver easily in tight areas.
From Naval Station Mayport/Jacksonville, FL, four helo squadrons have been mobilized to assist the Amphibious Carriers (USS IWO JIMA and BATTAN).
My crew is awaiting orders to deploy as well in any area of support that can be offered.

I hate disasters but this is one of those times I absolutely love my job!!!
Tell friends and family in the area that help is truly on the way as fast as we can get there!

[jasmine64]

The community here has come out in full force. So I dont think we will be needing immediate supplies. The local blood bank has asked for blood donations that right now is a urgent need.

If anyone does want to help donation wise, donate blood, send money to the red cross and also operation blessing (cbn.com).

Our friends flew back today if anyone wants pictures let me know i'm waiting for them to be emailed to me. when I get them I'll pass them on.

OPeration Blessing is in place now in Hattiesburg Ms , they are taking donations and replenishing the salvation armys food and water.

My cousin made a trip to Pass Christian to view their home and neighborhood she took supplies to the local high school and was amazed
at what they found. NO one has been in there. Only k-9 units searching for bodies. They found their house and not much left. Looters hadnt made it
there yet and she found her wedding pics and china, but not much more. The flood and winds took it all.

There's alot of bad here, like the mouth of the MS is clogged. We cant ship out grain and beans, they load the barges and they are idle in the slack water harbors. So that's messing with the farmers storing crops. The ripple affect will be felt for a long time.

[davethebirdman]

We have had nothing but news of New Oreleans on our TV's for the last four days. I have tried to soak up as much as I can. I think you all know how I feel about the US. Don't know what is being reported your side but over here its all very negative about the relief effort. We are seeing pictures of Annarchy and people literally dying of thirst. Questions are being asked about why it has taken the second greatest nation so long to get the relief effort together.

When disaster hit South Asian it seemed that help was there within hours. Yet a great city in a great country appeared to be left to fend for itself for days before someone said lets help those poor bas***ds out.

Maybe its the slant put on the news here. Thank God help is now there. New Oreleans is the greatest  city I have ever had the pleasure to visit. Please Mr President don't let it be completely washed away.  

If anyone can turn this around the US can. Look back at history. 9/11 Earthquakes in California every type of natural disaster. Thk God we only have the rain to complain about.

Jasmine, when the dust has settled and you are looking around for some rest and recoup you are most welcome at my home anytime.

Dave

[joesquid]

I know there's been lots of anger and resentment on how long it took to get supplies and help into the area but we have to step back and take a look at the big picture.  Katrina took almost the perfect path for most damage inflicted and neatly cut off the gulf coast from internal supply routes.  All major interstates and highways to that area of the gulf coast were either totally wiped out or so badly damaged that the amount of time necessary to clear roads for even rough terrain type travel made it worthless to attempt.  As Jasmine noted, the Mississippi is inaccessible from the Delta as it has been neatly plugged by Katrina's onslaught.  Major bases and FEMA facilities within a day's drive were also badly damaged and/or as already noted, overland routes were made inaccessible.  The nearest full-size Navy base with full capabilities to provide support is Norfolk, VA.  Mayport, Fl supports only Destroyer Squadrons, and they're not what we need in the area.  The Army has finally managed to get roadways open and countless helo support has arrived from all service branches.  The TRUMAN Battle Group is nearly all on station and will be providing relief efforts from the Gulf area.  In a nutshell, this was a worse-case scenario beyond the imagination of most of us.  My own father called last night to rant and rave about the devistation and lack of support (he lives in Missouri) and I calmly asked him had he donated anything......a slight pause then continued ranting.  Rather than complain about how badly this situation was bungled (which I disagree) the loudest proponents would better serve themselves and the victims by harnessing all that wasted energy and go help load supply trucks, give blood, send money...SOMETHING other than complain.  We can complain and point fingers all we want AFTER the victims have all been evacuated and provided for....

....and you can vote for me in November. :'>

having fun sending supplies from Maine!!