Glad to hear your family is OK Moe.
Mike we will all be praying for you and your family along with the thousands of good folks in the area.
What do you actually say in this type of natural disaster? Words just don't do justice to seeing the photos on TV.
Just know you have freinds all over the country who are wishing you all the best.
http://www.redcross.org/
Rich
Katrina inbound... looks like it's my turn
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richandlori
- Admiral
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Looks like you have a lot of company, Mike:
Memphis officials prepare long-term for Katrina refugees
Memphis officials prepare long-term for Katrina refugees
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mike
- Captain
- Posts: 812
- Joined: Sun Dec 28, 2003 8:06 pm
- Location: MS Gulf Coast "Wind Dancer" 98 26X
An update...
I travelled to Slidell yesterday (Wednesday) to check out our house and collect a few things, and returned to Memphis today (Thursday). We feared nearly complete destruction of our house, but thankfully (and that's not a strong enough word), we only had about 6 or 7 inches of water, and, by some miracle, NO TREES through the roof (several of our neighbors did, however). So, though the bigger picture is still awfully bleak at the moment, we're just totally thrilled that we still have a mostly intact house.
I'll be heading back there soon to start the recovery process (tearing out carpet, removing doors and molding, removing ruined furniture, etc.), and I'm hopeful that we will get phone and data service restored soon so that I may work out of the house as needed.
Gas is very hard to come by. Most stations between about 100 miles south of Memphis and Slidell are either out of gas, or have huge lines snaking all the way out onto the interstate exit ramps. I brought enough gas with me to Slidell to be able to make it back to Memphis without refueling. But now, even here in Memphis, there is somewhat of a panic underway... apparently, a rumor has been circulating that Memphis will be running out of gas tomorrow, so everyone here is suddenly out trying to fill their tanks (long lines, but not quite as bad as what I saw along the way). This is creating an artificially high temporary demand, which, combined with the REAL increased demand of evacuees trying to gas up to return to LA, really is causing some shortages.
Guys, I have to be honest... though I'm very relieved that our house is still standing, I still have a deep and growing sense of panic and worry. I'm trying very hard not to show it in front of my family, but knowing that the entire local economy of the region has essentially been shut down, combined with the visual impact of seeing my hometown shattered really has me in a state of anxiety that's difficult to describe.
Your supportive words are helping though... thank you! And, I have to keep reminding myself that it could be so much worse.
--Mike
I travelled to Slidell yesterday (Wednesday) to check out our house and collect a few things, and returned to Memphis today (Thursday). We feared nearly complete destruction of our house, but thankfully (and that's not a strong enough word), we only had about 6 or 7 inches of water, and, by some miracle, NO TREES through the roof (several of our neighbors did, however). So, though the bigger picture is still awfully bleak at the moment, we're just totally thrilled that we still have a mostly intact house.
I'll be heading back there soon to start the recovery process (tearing out carpet, removing doors and molding, removing ruined furniture, etc.), and I'm hopeful that we will get phone and data service restored soon so that I may work out of the house as needed.
Gas is very hard to come by. Most stations between about 100 miles south of Memphis and Slidell are either out of gas, or have huge lines snaking all the way out onto the interstate exit ramps. I brought enough gas with me to Slidell to be able to make it back to Memphis without refueling. But now, even here in Memphis, there is somewhat of a panic underway... apparently, a rumor has been circulating that Memphis will be running out of gas tomorrow, so everyone here is suddenly out trying to fill their tanks (long lines, but not quite as bad as what I saw along the way). This is creating an artificially high temporary demand, which, combined with the REAL increased demand of evacuees trying to gas up to return to LA, really is causing some shortages.
Guys, I have to be honest... though I'm very relieved that our house is still standing, I still have a deep and growing sense of panic and worry. I'm trying very hard not to show it in front of my family, but knowing that the entire local economy of the region has essentially been shut down, combined with the visual impact of seeing my hometown shattered really has me in a state of anxiety that's difficult to describe.
Your supportive words are helping though... thank you! And, I have to keep reminding myself that it could be so much worse.
--Mike
Mike -
Keep focused on what you've got, not what you've lost - especially in front of the family. I know it sounds like macho BS, but you really do need to be strong for them. They will look to you for reassurance - be ready to give it to them. Hopefully you have a wife (or someone else close to you) that you can lean on when you need to. But in general, you need to be the strong one.
You may be at a huge crossroads in your life. You may not have your old life to go back to. Maybe you can rebuild that old life into something new, maybe it's time to start over. The sooner you start looking at this situation as a new "opportunity", the better.
Dont be too proud to accept help when you need it and it is offered. Dont forget those worse off than you. Take small pleasures where you can find them a sunrise, your favorite ball team winning a game, the laughter from your kids.
You will be fine - eventually. It never ceases to amaze me how human beings can suffer through the most difficult tragedies and come out smiling on the other end.
Best of luck and God Bless.
Keep focused on what you've got, not what you've lost - especially in front of the family. I know it sounds like macho BS, but you really do need to be strong for them. They will look to you for reassurance - be ready to give it to them. Hopefully you have a wife (or someone else close to you) that you can lean on when you need to. But in general, you need to be the strong one.
You may be at a huge crossroads in your life. You may not have your old life to go back to. Maybe you can rebuild that old life into something new, maybe it's time to start over. The sooner you start looking at this situation as a new "opportunity", the better.
Dont be too proud to accept help when you need it and it is offered. Dont forget those worse off than you. Take small pleasures where you can find them a sunrise, your favorite ball team winning a game, the laughter from your kids.
You will be fine - eventually. It never ceases to amaze me how human beings can suffer through the most difficult tragedies and come out smiling on the other end.
Best of luck and God Bless.
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Mark Prouty
- Admiral
- Posts: 1723
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- Location: Madison, WI Former MacGregor 26X Owner
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Catigale
- Site Admin
- Posts: 10421
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Mike - Hang tough, and do put on a strong " we will get through this" for kids under 10. They need the reassurance and answers to their questions. Your answers dont need to be right, they just need to know you are looking out for them.
I hope this helps. I didnt face anything of this kind until I lost my cousin on September 11. One of the things that helped me through was thinking of how my parents grew up in WW II, with V1s coming in, bombers overhead, putting out incendaries in the backyard.
We surely have faced adversity, but of a kind that can be addressed easier than what they faced.
God Bless.
I hope this helps. I didnt face anything of this kind until I lost my cousin on September 11. One of the things that helped me through was thinking of how my parents grew up in WW II, with V1s coming in, bombers overhead, putting out incendaries in the backyard.
We surely have faced adversity, but of a kind that can be addressed easier than what they faced.
God Bless.
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richandlori
- Admiral
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- Location: Living Aboard in Morro Bay, CA
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Hang in there Mike. We all have you and your family in our prayers and thoughts. We can offer you all our moral support we have and if there is any help we can offer, don't hesitate to ask. I look at all of us Mac Sailors as brothers in a way. We all have a common love of sailing and for family, which comes out clearly in our posts.
hang in there Bro.
Rich
hang in there Bro.
Rich
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mtc
- Captain
- Posts: 545
- Joined: Mon Feb 21, 2005 5:06 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Panama City Beach, Florida 05 M 'Bellaroo' 60hp Merc BF
Mike,
There truly are no words that can express that go through the heart during these horrible events. Talking about them, even in the virtual world, helps a lot. I recall standing by the shore after Opal, Ivan, Dennis, et al and just wondering why, how, what for . . . ? It's so different standing there, in the midst of all the destruction compared to seeing it from afar. The only consolation is that the sun will come up tomorrow and there'll be other things to keep you busy. Your family is your best resource now. I'm so sorry for your loss.
I just left NO a month ago and had no idea that it would be probably the last time. All those people, all those children. . . The best part of NO isn't the structures; it's the people and the culture. We'll rebuild. Move on. Got to. Simply must.
You've got a family of skippers here who are listening.
There truly are no words that can express that go through the heart during these horrible events. Talking about them, even in the virtual world, helps a lot. I recall standing by the shore after Opal, Ivan, Dennis, et al and just wondering why, how, what for . . . ? It's so different standing there, in the midst of all the destruction compared to seeing it from afar. The only consolation is that the sun will come up tomorrow and there'll be other things to keep you busy. Your family is your best resource now. I'm so sorry for your loss.
I just left NO a month ago and had no idea that it would be probably the last time. All those people, all those children. . . The best part of NO isn't the structures; it's the people and the culture. We'll rebuild. Move on. Got to. Simply must.
You've got a family of skippers here who are listening.
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Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL
- Admiral
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- Sailboat: MacGregor 26D
- Location: Oconomowoc, WI
Rebuild New Orleans
Given the near total distruction of non-high rise structures, do you think it would make sense to fill in the bowl of New Orleans and rebuild above sea level?
..
Seattle did something like this a long time ago, now the old street level is a tourist attraction under the modern roads.
..
Seattle did something like this a long time ago, now the old street level is a tourist attraction under the modern roads.
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richandlori
- Admiral
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I agree Robert, in rebuliding, lets fix the "root" problem, so that the next time a Cat 4 or 5 for that matter roars through the area we won't be right back here again!
Lets spend whatever national $ we need on the whole affected area, but lets FIX the problem in Nalins....(the proper pronunciatoin for those in the area)
Rich
Lets spend whatever national $ we need on the whole affected area, but lets FIX the problem in Nalins....(the proper pronunciatoin for those in the area)
Rich
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cbhinkel
- Deckhand
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Unfortunately, this would only be a tempory fix. Given the fact that the whole "Nawlins" area is in actuality, sediment deposited from the Mississippi River estuary, it is constantly sinking. Although, doing this would be better than nothing and you could get another 100-200years out of it before you might need to repeat the whole process.Given the near total distruction of non-high rise structures, do you think it would make sense to fill in the bowl of New Orleans and rebuild above sea level?
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richandlori
- Admiral
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Just in case you didn't notice, but a New Thread was created based upon Bill's Plan of action entitled: "Helping one of our own..." See the link below.
http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=3897
Rich
http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=3897
Rich
Mike,
This too shall pass. Good or bad, this moment WILL pass. If it be exceptionally good, or bad , quite likely, next year our perspective of the moment, will be quite different.
Richardandlori,
Many areas of this planet get along quite well behind Dikes and Levies. Of course; most likely, they are properly engineered and maintained, and adequate to the purpose. Those around New Orleans were not. What happened to New Orleans should not come as a surprise, it had been predicted often, and accurately.
The ,ROOT, problem is politicians. When some one learns to fix that problem, the entire planet will be far better off.
Russ
This too shall pass. Good or bad, this moment WILL pass. If it be exceptionally good, or bad , quite likely, next year our perspective of the moment, will be quite different.
Richardandlori,
Many areas of this planet get along quite well behind Dikes and Levies. Of course; most likely, they are properly engineered and maintained, and adequate to the purpose. Those around New Orleans were not. What happened to New Orleans should not come as a surprise, it had been predicted often, and accurately.
The ,ROOT, problem is politicians. When some one learns to fix that problem, the entire planet will be far better off.
Russ