I'm not sure how much news coverage you guys are getting of the aftermath down there, but here in the US, we've had pretty much non-stop news coverage of it since Monday.
Here in North Carolina we've had more than a few major hurricanes as well. Nothing approaching what just destroyed the gulf, but some bad ones just the same. Before the storm even left Mississippi; Power Crews, Emergency Workers, Red Cross Volunteers, and just lots of good samaritans from North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia were heading down with trucks full of supplies and repair equipment. All of us know it could have just as easily been any one of us and everyone rushes to lend a hand to our neighbors in need.
Don't let the news coverage fool you: things in New Orleans may look like a war zone, but it is not because people aren't trying to get in there in help. On the contrary, folks in Mississippi and Alabama were hit even harder and the rescuers are doing an amazing job of helping everyone out there. Its the fact that NO is cut off by the Mississippi river on one side and Lake Pontchartrain on the other side.
They are physically isolated and trying to get stuff in to them and people out of the area is next to impossible. With all the floating debris, it isn't as easy as loading up a bunch of boats and heading in. Also, most of their utility lines are above ground - if you bring in choppers, there are tons of power and phone lines and poles they have to keep out of.
The only story that is even coming close to getting as much air time is the gas shortage here on the east coast because the main gasoline pipelines out of the gulf area are without power.
Before the storm, we were paying about $2.50/Gal. Most of the stations around here are now at $3.40/Gal and I saw a few through town that are at $3.70/Gal. About %25 of the stations have no gas at all. Supposedly, they've restored power to the pipelines, but they are operating at less than half capacity.
I'm not complaining - it will get better. Just pointing out how this disaster is not only impacting ground zero, but also the entire eastern seaboard.
All of them are in our prayers and we are sending money, food, volunteers, anything we can to help them out. If you are going to pray for anything, pray that all of the assistance that has been sent can get through.
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