the new orleans flood

[tubasareevil]

Hey ppls

I want to know what's going on down in new orleans. Are people still starving, is everyone evacuated, are families finding each other again? Like, what's going on down there? Also, if anyone knows how to donate stuff to the people down there please let me know.

please and thankyou

[sunflower68]

tubas as far as I know from the British press, currently the waters are subsiding at a good rate, however this is leaving a more visible mass of highly-toxic debris including bodies and waste.  The real problem this week has been evacuating those residents adamant that they will not leave their homes.  Violent has occurred repeatedly.  New Orleans will probably be saved now but it needs to be cleared of residents in order to do so.

[Clanad]

As sunflower states, the flood waters are subsiding, especially with the installation of new pumps.  "Big Bertha" a pump capable of nearly 1 million gallons per hour is supposed to be up and running today.

Any evacuee that wanted to leave is long since gone.  Some residents of the French Quarter have electricity and running water and don't want to leave, however.

Incidents of violence only occurred within the first week and only in New Orleans.  These were shown to be caused by criminal elements... especially drug gangs.  New Orleans has been a violent city for many years.  This ceased with the arrival of federal troops fresh from Iraq combat, however.  Five gunmen of a drug gang were killed when they opened fire on a detachment of relief workers that were accompanied by troops and police. 

Many evacuees to the Astrodome in Houston have left of their own accord, because they have jobs for the first time in their lives.  Many say they will not return to N.O. since they and their families lives will be much improved away from that area.

Mississippi and Alabama are progressing well... they never experienced any kind of violence, which was limited only to N.O.

Authorities are overwhelmed by material donations, clothing, canned goods, etc.  They really can only accept money at this point.  The most dependable sites for donations are The Salvation Army and the American Red Cross.  Use caution for other sites, since numerous scams have been reported.

Thank you for your concern!

[X111]

There is an interesting article here as to why a barrier was not erected.