Governor Blanco just came on the local news and said that people were being rescued in St. Tammany Parish, Jefferson Parish (an entire nursing home, more than 100 people, were just rescued), as well as rescues in St. Bernard Parish. Damage in St. Bernard is being described as "catastrophic."
People are being rescued three and four at a time. The rescuers are worried because people are on roof tops or on porches and when they see the boats, they dive in the water and swim to the boats -- which is extremely dangerous. (There's the possibility of downed powerlines and toxic waste in the water.) A lot of these people have cell phones and are talking to loved ones elsewhere, so the Governor is asking that if you're talking to a loved one and they're waiting, to please tell them to stay put and let the boat come to them. Remember, the boats are traveling on what used to be streets, and there's no way for them to know what's under the boats (especially if the water is eight feet deep in some areas -- there may be cars beneath them).
They are finding a lot of people alive. They believe there are hundreds more alive out there and they're putting a lot more boats into the water in the morning. As many boats as can safely navigate tonight will remain on duty trying to find people.
They just showed an aerial shot of New Orleans... and ohmygod, it's a huge lake. It's north Kenner... near Treasure Chest Casino. West Esplande Mall... it's a lake completely around. Three to five feet of water. Tens of thousands of homes flooded. The entire area of Kenner.
Posted by toni at August 29, 2005 06:59 PMOMG that's something I hadn't even thought of! And I'm gonna be a nurse and I can't believe I didn't even think of the nursing homes and the people in them!
God I hope it all goes okay down there. I am truly grateful that you and your family are okay.
Thanks for being so good about updating!
Hugs!
Posted by: Shannon at August 29, 2005 09:17 PM