Katrina

[CBulla]

So it looks like my brothers' houses will in all likelihood be total losses. Jason bought his house about 9 months ago.

Same with my dad's.... sigh. The place I grew up in is under ~ 15-20 feet of water, too, it seems.

Sorry to hear about the house loss, buddy... the most important assets, your family, are safe though, right!?

On the flip side, your certified to dive it.. you've got a familiar overhead environment that you'll know better than anyone else!

 

[CBulla]

What fresh Hell is this?
Rick

Somehow, Ricks first post to open this thread seems very appropriate and I found the need to reply to it only to reiterate how innocently correct he was.

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

The house I grew up at is in one of the worst hit areas of Gretna(Westbank, across the river from New Orleans) according to reports from the Mayor. Ah well... the people who bought it from us cut down my favorite climbing tree anyway... arg.

oilman - little late probably, but I heard of some people getting into the Westbank via River Road from the West(possibly by I-310, maybe even further down?).

If you haven't tried this yet- send a text message. They stay in the system until sent. After Ivan I wasn't able to place calls on my cell for about 2 weeks, and receiving was sketchy- but text messages worked like a charm.

Worked like a charm, thanks a million!

 

[Floridawannabe]

Handi wipes, hand sanitizer, clean clothes, comfort food, deck of cards, sunscreen, hats, batteries, flashlights, radio, charcoal, matches, those little Dollar Store battery operated personal fans, well wishes and prayers. If kids are there, a stuffed animal and a toy. If your family doesn't need these items, somebody else will call you an angel for bringing them.

Thanks Jenny for the Ideas, I am stopping at WAL-MART before I leave and will pick up the stuff. Again thanks.

Rick

 

[TwoBitTxn]

Cleaning supplies: Brooms, mops, mop buckets, bleach, detergent, sponges, the green scrubber pads... lots of rags.

My older brother headed back to Ocean Springs this morning. I can't call him, so I wait for him to call us. My cousin's house a couple blocks from his was still standing and appeared structurally intact.

TwoBit

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

Another thought...just pack your car with anything and everything you can think of. you can always resell the stuff...NO price gouging!

 

[Floridawannabe]

Cleaning supplies: Brooms, mops, mop buckets, bleach, detergent, sponges, the green scrubber pads... lots of rags.

My older brother headed back to Ocean Springs this morning. I can't call him, so I wait for him to call us. My cousin's house a couple blocks from his was still standing and appeared structurally intact.

TwoBit

Thanks, That is where my family goes to church at the AG. They live North West of D'Iberville. Near 67 and Lorraine Rd in Woolmarket Area. Are all the Cell towers out of commission?

 

[BIGSAGE136]

Bleach, water, batteries, MRE's, heavy duty plastic bags....more bleach. My prayers to your families.

 

[TwoBitTxn]

As far as I know they are. I don't know all the service companies in that area. My sis-in law has cingular and they are out. Sprint is out and so is verizon. Cingular being out also takes out ATT.

TwoBit

 

[chickdiver]

Add a coleman camp stove/ and or lantern and fuel, or a backpacking stove that burns white gas. If you have access to a comaping store or REI pick up a real water filter and backpacking (dehydrated) food. They will be under a boil water notice for a long time. Pruifying via bleach is OK for washing dishes and stuff is OK, but it freaked me out to drink it (I didn't have potable water for 3 weeks after Ivan last year). THe backpacking food tastes better than MRE's. Also- they aren't getting much news- I guarantee all the radio stations are broadcasting is "need to know" info like insurance co contact numbers, boil water info and the like. The lack of info from the outside world starts to bother you after a while. Grab a couple of magazines and a newspaper or 2. Games, or something to pass the evening hours are good too. The immediate aftermath is very stressful and overwhelming- you have to remember that life goes on and eventually WILL get back to normal, even if its in small steps. Little bits of normalcy, like a newspaper or stupid People magazine are very comforting.