Mississippi Katrina Damage Not Being Covered...

I'm moving my Katrina stuff over to this blog page so Drowning Creek can resume the business of blogging about the art world.



Well, it's been over a month since Hurricane Katrina went on her rampage in South Mississippi, and pretty much destroyed the better part of a 90 mile area. Though images were shown on national news sources showing the complete and utter destruction of entire communities, it seems that the media has chosen to focus on New Orleans. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of destruction in NOLA to be reported, and since it is the city in which I came into this world, I am equally concerned about my friends in NOLA as I am with ALL areas affected by this storm.

But I have not forgotten about South Mississippi as it appears most of the major media has.

I got back from Long Beach almost 3 weeks ago. The devastation is unlike anything I have ever seen, even with the memories of Camille burned into my brain. The damage extends far inland, but there is almost complete non-existance on buildings for up to several blocks from Hwy 90 and Beach Drive along the entire Gulf Coast. To put this in perspective, Camille left much damage, but by far, there was not the entire erasure of communities from that storm. Homes that were not in flood zones flooded and were destroyed. Housesd that withstood Camille's fury were flattened by Katrina. Businesses were obliterated.

Where people were left homeless by Katrina, FEMA is tying those same folks up in a sea of bureaucracy. There are people living in makeshift tents and shelters all along the Coast who are without transportation, money, or the means to rebuild. Insurance companies told many they didn't need flood insurance, and now that their homes were destroyed by flood waters, they are discovering that they are not insured. Red Cross & FEMA are closing the Points of Distribution that have been supplying ice, water, and other amenities to these people, some who are still without power or running water.

Stores & schools are opening, and people ARE getting back to work, but there are many who are still trying to get on their feet. Trailers that are supposed to be brought in are coming slowly. There are thousands staged in other states, but they are not getting to the people who really need them as fast as they need to.

Anyway, despite all of the federal failures to step up to the plate, there are many private citizens and organizations who have taken it upon themselves to bring in much-needed supplies, to volunteer their time towards the cleanup, and feeding people who are temporarily homeless.

These people are ouur heroes.

Here is a list of some links to ordinary people doing extra ordinary things for people. If you're wanting to help in some small way, send them a blanket or a small donation of some sort.

The Blanket Brigade for Bay St. Louis

City Team Ministries

Giving Children Hope

Help for Pass Christian

There is also a list of other reputable charities that was compiled by South Mississippi's newspaper, The Sun Herald. Quite frankly, if you want to get your donations directly to the people who need them, I would avoid the Red Cross. Seems they are mired by the same bureaucracy that has FEMA dropping the ball.

Thanks,
Judy Gex