I don't know what you all are getting by way of national news reporting. We're listening to the local news (courtesy of the generator) and have heard a lot of disturbing news for the New Orleans area.
The top floor to a Days Inn hotel in Slidell is missing. The entire floor. There's no word if anyone was in the hotel waiting out the storm.
One reporter said there were bodies floating in the flood waters in Slidell. (For those who aren't familiar with the area, Slidell is essentially a suburb to the east of New Orleans, so they would have had some pretty bad winds.) I am very very much hoping this is a gross exaggeration, but they sounded pretty firm about it.
The Mayor of Kenner (a suburb to the west of New Orleans) just stated that 100% of the homes in Kenner were either flooded or had structural damage and he didn't expect people to get back into the area for two or more weeks.
All of the New Orleans areas are now under a "boil water" alert -- the water is now contaminated and not safe to drink. One of the news anchors said you have to boil it for twelve minutes to be safe. Of course, without electricity, that gets complicated, unless people have propane.
Luke just got back from taking the second generator to my dad / mom / grandmother and I now have photos. It's going to take me a few minutes to upload.
Posted by toni at August 29, 2005 04:52 PMThere really is no national news about any areas other than the French Quarter and the SuperDome. Just now getting a few reports about severe flooding in 9th ward. Those of us without access to local news there are desperate for information about what's happening in St. Tammany Parish. No communication into or out of that area.
Posted by: CED at August 29, 2005 05:07 PMWhat CED said: I can't find out much of anything about Metairie right now. I assume no one really knows yet, anyway. I was sad to hear that Rocky and Carlo's in Chalmette was flooded out, though. I never did get to try their notorious mac and cheese.
Posted by: Jette at August 29, 2005 05:19 PMJeez Shit Toni -- sitting in a real estate office in Florence Oregon using the agent's computer to access email and faxes. Got a little distracted by postings from the grrrrls. Currently at your blogsite. (kinda feel like a kid doing something other than assigned work in class - keep switching windows when said agent or Gabe come around this side of the desk) Oh, man. Praying the high flooding doesn't hit your area. They've got CNN on the office tv - been watching New Orleans and Biloxi and Mobile drown. Be careful long-silent girlfriend. BTW very cool reporting job. Toni Causey's veryveryveryvery bad day(s). You know I loves ya. Always.
Posted by: Kelley at August 29, 2005 05:22 PMJeez Toni. I'm just watching the TV and praying for everyone. I feel a little guilty bitching about it being 95 degrees (not that it stops me).
Stay safe and dry! Hugs!
Posted by: Betsy at August 29, 2005 06:11 PMI sit here in Ontario Canada and pray for the people of this terrible disaster, my goodness how will the rescue people ever get to all of the poor souls who need help,hope massive help in on the way and can limit the suffering and deaths
Posted by: Doug at August 30, 2005 03:06 PMThank you very much!
Posted by: Gaane at September 17, 2005 05:29 AM