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Tears For Louisiana And The Gulf Coast...(By Louisiana Sandusky) by Karen Lynn Vidra, The Texas Tornado
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Rated "G" by the Author.
Louisiana Sandusky, having lived in Louisiana (and been in several major hurricanes herself) writes of the tragedy unfolding along the Gulf Coast (particularly New Orleans, Louisiana).
Today is a very sad and traumatic day for millions upon millions of people living along the Gulf Coastal regions of the United States. Hurricane Katrina may very easily be the costliest (and most devastating) hurricane ever to hit the United States; it could very easily pass the marks left by now legendary hurricanes Camille, Andrew, and Bonnie.
New Orleans, Louisiana, is flooding due to a levee break (one of the very worst scenarios that could happen to a city like New Orleans; New Orleans, Louisiana, is below sea level, and a hurricane could prove to be very catastrophic, as it is now playing out), and there are fears that many more people will be found dead by the time rescuers are able to get to them. Also hard hit were the cities of Biloxi and Gulfport in Mississippi (both of which took a direct hit from Katrina's ferocious winds), and millions upon millions of people are now without any electricity or power, and many, many people are now left without anything to call their own. At last count, nearly 80 people have been confirmed dead as a result of Hurricane Katrina, and the death toll could very easily rise as more people (bodies) are found amidst all the devastation.
We had the winds from Katrina come through here, but all we got out of it was some strong winds up to sixty two miles an hour, and we got a lot of heavy rain and thunder and lightning (but no flooding around our place, thank goodness, nor any damage). Now the rains have moved on north, and now I am sitting here, with tears streaming down my face, in front of the television, watching the drama unfolding in Louisiana and Mississippi; it is enough to make me want to reach through the television and hug those poor, dear people.
I can very well understand just what they are going through: I have been through some hurricanes myself, so I know of the terror and uncertainties that these monsterous storms can bring. There is no telling what a hurricane might do until it is right on top of you, and it is best to plan ahead and practice safety drills, so when a hurricane DOES hit, you can get to shelter and pray to God that your home (or belongings) is spared from the fury of the storm. The sounds generated from the heavy, blinding rain and the howling winds is unimaginable, and all you can do is sit there in the dark, and listen to the pounding of the rain and hope to God that the waters don't rise or get to where you are. You also pray that the shelter where you are at holds through the ferocious hurricane winds, and you pray to God that nobody gets sick during the hurricane. You hold onto your loved ones tighter than ever before, and if there are loved ones who are out in the storm, all you can do is pray that they get to safety before the water gets them. You hear the thunder bamming and crashing, and at times, you think that the world is ending; the sounds you hear are horrific at best, and yet all you can do is wait it out until the storm finally, mercifully passes.
My kids are sitting here with me or are standing in the doorways of the living room, trying desperately to take in what has happened in Louisiana, and my Louisiana-born children (Ronee', Louise, Elise, Dwerlina, Barbara, etc.) are especially feeling scared or uncertain, as I know they have friends or even family in the decimated areas, and they are scared for their friends'/family's fate. They are much quieter than normal, and tears brim in their frightened eyes as they try to witness the goings-on that is being shown on CNN. CNN has devoted its programming to accomodate the seriousness of the situation at hand in the Southland, and they have shown some incredible weather (and rescue) footage.
And more may yet come as more rescues happen and the people try to pick up what is left of their shattered lives. About the only place in New Orleans where it HASN'T flooded is the area around the SuperDome, where tens of thousands of poor, elderly, or disabled people are holed up, and there are already people there, rescue and RedCross workers, helping out. But these RedCross and rescue workers have a very long and hard task ahead of them after the flood (and levee) waters finally recede, as they have to rescue thousands upon thousands of people who have been stranded by the now rising waters..and hope that they get there in time before they end up dying, only adding to the storm tally of fatalities.
If need be, I will go to Louisiana and help out with the rescue efforts; God has been speaking to my heart about this, and I think it may be the only way I can help these people. I went to Sri Lanka earlier this year, and even though I saw much in the way of devastation or tragedy, I did see some miracles occur (such as meeting up with Arjun and Rani, two tiny tsunami/earthquake survivors who ended up becoming two of my children), and I felt such a rush of satisfaction in knowing that I was there trying to make a difference in some very needy (and suffering) people's lives.
God, be with Louisiana and Mississippi, and God, please be there in the midst of these people's suffering and pain!
Thank you Karen for such a heartfelt write. We all need to band together and help our neighbors. Its terrible all the pain and suffering they are under at the present time and for weeks and months to come. They can use all the help they can get and all the prayers too. Thanks for remeinding us..............
What can I say? Except THANK YOU, Karen, for describing to me so fully so that I can at least BEGIN to imagine what takes place during such a terrifying ordeal as this. My heart and loving prayers go out to all those affected, both directly and indirectly. The scale of the tragedy is something my feeble mind is at a loss to comprehend. But I DO know that through it all, there will be many, many miracles.. and, althoug each life lost is a total devastation, given the enormity of the catastrophe, we must also be thankful, perhaps, that not more have been. The world will rally round and the best of the best will appear to help bring restoration and calm. Bless you and stay safe - thank you for your sage advice offered, too. LOL Kate xx
Suspenseful and close to home, Rain of Deception 2 will leave you in Tears. Much like Part 1, this will shocking sequel will keep you on the edge of your fingertips.
Today is a very sad and traumatic day for millions upon millions of people living along the Gulf Coastal regions of the United States. Hurricane Katrina may very easily be the costliest (and most devastating) hurricane ever to hit the United States; it could very easily pass the marks left by now legendary hurricanes Camille, Andrew, and Bonnie.
