Hurricane Katrina

**Rogue**

I don't think that I should have to be saying this, but people, be
careful to whom you donate to. Places like Red Cross and the Salvation
Army will not rip you off. Do not donate directly to pay pal accounts,
just as a precaution. I'm not acusing the above poster of scamming, but
I'm telling you guys to be precautious anyway.

dapharmergreen

i can understand your apprehension fully RogueA.. That's why I said anyone who would rather discuss first please do so. If not, here is another site that links to Americares http://writerscafe.net/donations.html

After the tsunami they raised over 9,000 through private donations and it is the head of that site who I am linking my paypal up to. I only suggest the paypal route for those who are unwilling or unable to use a credit card for donations to Red Cross and Salvation Army.

RogueA's concern though is definately valid. And I suggest anyone seeking to donate to any organization contact that organization by phone if possible to make sure they know where there money is going. Red Cross and Salvation Army both maintain a small overhead on their donations, while Americares has no overhead (100% goes to the cause). Be informed before donating to make sure the money you are giving is going to the right places.

**GamiSB**

Well now thats its all said and done and Ive finally goten ahold of a comp thought Id let you all know that im from NO and im alive ^^. Got out on Saturday when me and my family first found out that it was a catigory 5 and from i hear my house is fine. But to the people that arnt. I feel for you guys. I knwo how it feels to worry about everything but I cant amagen how it feels to have worried and found out the worst is true. And I have to also add people here. To all those that cant get into a hotel while on your way home. They need to be prayed for. Right now im sitting in a hotel lobby and I knwo theres people out there that are sleeping in churches and other shelters when in reality I should be with them. See my family and I were origianly going to go to houston but decided to go to dallas and on teh way the car died on us so got to spend 4 hours at a gas station. (that I must say had some good chex mex for sell) but I digress and to make a long story shot get to live in a hotel till they let us back into NO and get are car fixed ^^. So ya heres one NO person thats ok. But really please do pray for everyone else. NO needs it.

-GamiSB

RainKingX

Hang in there, Orleans. Help is on its way.

Death670

I've been watching the news the last couple days and all I can say is wow my thoughts go out to you guys. Stay tough guys if you fight as hard in rl as you do in game you guys will make it through this. Best wishs

Death670

**Armitige3**

Those wishing to help can contact the Red Cross at their website
(http://www.redcross.org/) or by calling 1-800-HELP-NOW. The Red
Cross has stated that what they need the most, now, is donations to
help. They estimate tens of thousands of people will require
government-provided shelter and food for weeks, if not months. If
you can help, this is a good way of doing so.

-- Tige

Message Edited by Armitige3 on 08-31-2005 08:50 AM
Message edited by Armitige3 on 08/31/2005 04:50:14.

wens

My thoughts go to all poeple touched by Katrina.

(sorry not to describe all i can due to my poor english).

newdude1978

please , please donate to the relief. I live in NC and there will be no gas here for 5 to7 days, this is no biggy except for some over growed gas pumps. they are saying that the death toll could be in the thousands. About 80% of New Orleans has been destroyed and it is officialy the biggest U.S. disaster of the century. It makes me cry, so count your blessings and donate.

-Collbard-

Yes, katrinna most definately sucked...I live in southwest louisiana, luckily all we got here was a nice cool breeze and a few sprinkles, however my dad JUST moved over there for a marketing job at Fairfield resorts a week ago. He's been out of a job for almost 3 months thinking he'd be able to work with Aflac, but they lost his paperwork and still havn't found it. Once again he's out of a job. Its amazing how this hurrican is really going to affect so many people, especially with gas prices rising even higher now. Thanks to everyone for all the prayers. If you havn't heard about the threat of coastal erosion, now would be a good time to learn about that....that is going to be a major threat for us in the near future as well...

Elome

I've got some family in Mississippi... Heard from my grandma and my
aunt, they were alright, but my grandma's house got a tree blown
through it.

We haven't heard from my step-mom or uncle yet.

Cognoscente

Hey, how did Pensecola fare? I know they got hit last year and I haven't heard anything about them so I'm guessing they were spared this time. I'm worried cause that's my next duty station. =/

My thoughts and prayers are still with ya, New Orleans, Biloxi and all those who were affected.

~,~

__

Message Edited by Cognoscente on 08-31-2005 11:55 PM
Message edited by Cognoscente on 08/31/2005 19:55:03.

HackViral

Pcola, is like 1 hour from me and I hear they are doing
good. Are you
going to be stationed near NAS? Because, most of that is located near
water so most they got was some flooding...but hey atleast you get to
meet the Blue Angels =D lol. But, where I live...jesus tap dancing
christ..Mobile,AL got it bad..but not as bad as LA and MISS. Worse I
got was like 3ft of water in my **bleep** house and my car flooded out.

Message Edited by HackViral on 08-31-2005 09:09 PM
Message edited by HackViral on 08/31/2005 20:09:21.

**[FA]Tbone**

Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts. I live in Hattiesburg, MS, which is a little over an hour from the coast. The eye of the hurricane went right through us at either a category 2 or 3. I have been without power and water since the hurricane hit, and am only able to reach you now because my parents live in north Mississippi. My father drove down with tanks of gas to keep my car filled up so that I could get home. Even though you don't hear about it on the news (because the coast is so much worse), Hattiesburg has major damage. It seemed every building, road, and tree was affected. I have no idea how they will EVER get things back to how they were.

The worst part of it is the lack of communication. I have several friends who have family on the coast and neither our phones nor theirs worked. When I finally did get reception back on my phone (I found that the further I went from the interstate, the better it was), I had over 20 voice messages from concerned family and friends, and I'm sure it is the same for everyone else. Please do what you can to help in this disaster. As bad as it is in Hattiesburg, I can't imagine what it's like on the coast.

I'm also beating myself for not packing up my computer with me, but it was near impossible to pack in the dark (we guys had no candles, so I was using a flashlight to pack). Hopefully when the power and water are restored, I'll be able to get back down there (assuming I can find the gas to do it) and join you guys back in MxO soon. If you know someone in that area that you are worried about, please be patient, as communication is still near to impossible down there. Just because you haven't heard from them doesn't mean they are not safe! Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers.

P.S. If you are looking for a more focused look at the effects of Hurricane Katrina on Hattiesburg, go to http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com . It has exclusive pictures and news stories about Hattiesburg and the Pine Belt region. I'm checking that site to see when it is safe to go home!

Message Edited by [FA]Tbone on 09-01-2005 01:43 AM
Message edited by [FA]Tbone on 08/31/2005 22:43:35.

HackViral

Well, if you were in the path before the hurricane broke Cat 3...yea
you're hurtin Mobile,AL was within the red zone and we got a lot of
flooding and high winds..flooding most of all..downtown had some areas
20ft deep. In my house, I saw things float that I just didn't think
could float, I saw yachts in places that they could not get to in
ordinary circumstances and entire roads washed away..not to mention an
entire apartment complex building pushed off in to the bay.

Elome

[FA]Tbone wrote:

Thanks
everyone for your kind thoughts. I live in Hattiesburg, MS, which is a
little over an hour from the coast. The eye of the hurricane went right
through us at either a category 2 or 3. I have been without power and
water since the hurricane hit, and am only able to reach you now
because my parents live in north Mississippi. My father drove down with
tanks of gas to keep my car filled up so that I could get home. Even
though you don't hear about it on the news (because the coast is so
much worse), Hattiesburg has major damage. It seemed every building,
road, and tree was affected. I have no idea how they will EVER get
things back to how they were.

The worst part of it is the lack
of communication. I have several friends who have family on the coast
and neither our phones nor theirs worked. When I finally did get
reception back on my phone (I found that the further I went from the
interstate, the better it was), I had over 20 voice messages from
concerned family and friends, and I'm sure it is the same for everyone
else. Please do what you can to help in this disaster. As bad as it is
in Hattiesburg, I can't imagine what it's like on the coast.

I'm
also beating myself for not packing up my computer with me, but it was
near impossible to pack in the dark (we guys had no candles, so I was
using a flashlight to pack). Hopefully when the power and water are
restored, I'll be able to get back down there (assuming I can find the
gas to do it) and join you guys back in MxO soon. If you know someone
in that area that you are worried about, please be patient, as
communication is still near to impossible down there. Just because you
haven't heard from them doesn't mean they are not safe! Thanks again
for your thoughts and prayers.

P.S. If you are looking for a more focused look at the effects of Hurricane Katrina on Hattiesburg, go to http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com
. It has exclusive pictures and news stories about Hattiesburg and the
Pine Belt region. I'm checking that site to see when it is safe to go
home!
Message Edited by [FA]Tbone on 09-01-2005 01:43 AM

Hattiesburg, MS eh?

I was born there. Even though they have barely mentioned MS in the
news, I know it's bad there, and it makes me sad knowing Hattiesburg
got it really bad. But glad you are okay, Tbone. Really glad to hear.

My step-grandmother lives in Hattiesburg as well, her house now has a
tree in it. Thankfully, she wasn't there, she was somewhere safe, with
my aunt.

I want to donate to the disaster relief, but it will have to wait till the end of the week, when I get more money in the bank.