HURRICANE MEMORIES~LOADED THOUGHTS! GUSTAV?

KATRINA MEMORIES~LOADED THOUGHTS!

The title above is of a blog I wrote back in June, 2006. No reason to really click the link as I have done a complete copy and paste of it. Once you finish reading the blog, is the update of how this once again may happen. Another hot August day, but years later. Also, I will give links to update on this from what I have found, and the resembles of Katrina.

While I was working on my own personal goals tonight, my husband appeared with a magazine in hand in a demanding voice of “you love to blog, you must read this, as trust me, you will find time to blog on this.” I looked in his eyes, and he stood there with the pages open for me to read, and stood over my shoulder while I read the article. I should have know if was an article by National Geographic, as he reads them all. From the antique volumes to the new ones pressed in dates of 2006. And he reads them from front to back!

With him over looking me, I started to read the article. It started off describing a broiling hot summer day on a August afternoon, and forecasters warned of storms approaching that would hit the city of New Orleans. How it was forecasted and the devastation would unfolded. How the storm turned into a hurricane and the loss of life was involved. How the storm gathered speed and why people evacuated to higher ground. The story entailed how thousands remained in place, giving examples of the homeless, the car less, the aged and infirmed, as well as the die-hards that refused to go.

The article talked about how the devastation continued. How it hit certain areas in close relationship description of a nuclear warhead, pushing a deadly splurge into Lake Pontchartrain. How the waters of the lake broke away under the strength of the storm, flooding the city with unexpected waters. How it enveloped the city and destroyed the houses, and took away the bars and strip joints on Bourbon Street, and how it reached the entire city going over 25 feet while people rushed and climbed on roof tops to escape the fury.

The article went on to read about thousands drowning in the murky waters, and pointed out those that did now drown would die do to contamination of sewage and industrial waste, and how thousands of others would perish from the flood in regards to dehydration and disease while they waited to be rescued. How millions would be homeless, and thousands were dead and dying. How this was the worst disaster in the history of the United States.

He was expecting a reaction out of me, as he knew I had been watching CNN all day today on the Katrina disaster memories, and he is used to my tears that fall, but his point was strong as he knows me well and my emotions. He expected me to look into his face on the next line I read of “When did this calamity happen? It hasn’t-yet!” My first thought was, “Oh God, the possibility can happen again”

My husband took the book from my hand, and flipped it over for me to read the date. The date on the National Geographic magazine is October 2004. My insides and my body shook. We had already discussed this and knew this was reported on, but seeing this in such description in reality stunned me.

The article goes on to read that the doomsday is not far-fetched. That the Federal Emergency Management Agency list a hurricane to strike New Orleans as a dire threat to our nation. It even goes so far to say that Red Cross has a problem with hurricane shelters with claims the risk to workers is too great.

The article is devastating to read, as it brought back so many memories that touched the entire USA. And like with Tsunami, it reaches much further.

Jim, my husband deals with things different than me. While I cry and mourn on these things, his heart is heavy as he cannot stand the fact that people in power did not know this was going to happen and then it did happen, or if they knew the possibility of it, they refused to believe it, or own up to the fact so therefore passed the buck to stay clear of any blame.

Article is provided on the warning and prediction of trauma that did hit our USA and devestated so many lives less than a year ago, and their lives still continue to be stiffled, and hurt! GONE WITH THE WATER~NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC 2004

While the article of 2004 says so much that stands true in reality today, it breaks my heart to just go on. There was a statement in the article of why people will be broken forever, our wallets also suffer the problem as tax payers. And this could have also be avoided. When this happened, my last thought was a tax problem and my dollar spent as a tax payer, but what the author wrote gives me reason to think on this without guilt. When such a disaster happens to us, as a nation, as a caring respondent, our first thoughts are for the people that suffered. Our other thoughts come later. Reading the article will let you decide with your own feelings!

Katie

Date now is August 30th, 2008! Below!

Now here we are once again almost of what could be devastating news, and will hit in the early days of Sept. yet the same day as the Anniversary of Katrina, when the news of Katrina hitting New Orleans August 29, 2005.

I so hope this is not a repeat of Katrina and the devastation we saw back in Aug. 2005, but it could be. Many residents of Katrina have not even finished building the homes that they wanted to return to. The levy's are not even ready or strong enough as this takes so much time and money to finish and prepare for such another disaster. Streets and highways are already jammed and buses are already being loaded. At least the people are taking much more energy to realize the importance of such a disaster that can strike. There are tons of links of what is possible and what can happen. Many forecasters are even predicting that the storm surge can be higher than what Katrina brought. It really matters not if we are prepared for this or not, as it could very well be a reality of the repeat of Katrina with Gustav and with Hannah right behind it.

The news is pretty much updating every few minutes now of the possibilities of what can happen or expectations. Please see the links below. And once again, my thoughts and prayers are with all that might suffer from this, and as a nation as well should it come to this. Hugs to all, Katie

PREPARING FOR GUSTAV

GUSTOV NOW MAJOR HURRICANE AND PICKING UP STEAM!


GUSTAV TRACKING, Information, Wind, Surges, Forecasts, related issues(I consider this to be an excellent link as it gives so much valuable information)

Google research of "Gustav" will bring many more excellent links!