OT: KATRINA, Gillian & Olwyn Mary

The mayor ordered a mandatory evacuation last Sunday too, for all the good that did.

emerald

I think the authorities are finished dealing with the individual "wants" of the general populace. With dead bodies and raw sewage from heaven only knows where floating in the streets, no power, no food or water, no rest room facilities, I think most everyone will leave voluntarily now. Olwyn Mary's phone rings but there is no answer so I must assume she finally left. She said she would if she found out it as going to be weeks before power is restored and the reports ar that it will likely be several MONTHS before that happens! CiaoMeow >^;;^<

Fred, double check your coordinates. TD 13 is waaaay out in the middle of the Atlantic, no where near the Gulf Coast. From the project path, it has more of a chance to hit the Azores or Nfld than LA and MS.

There are other refineries. Yes, the price per barrel may go up some more and the price of gasoline, but this prediction is just hyperbole. And irresponsible.

Nyssa, who has been through major hurricanes and really, really sympathizes with those affected by Katrina

Thanks so much for letting us know, Tia Mary!

Joan (who knows all too well of what NO is going through with the flood)

My, aren't *you* full of good new today!!! My 4 sisters and I were kind of planning a trip to NO next year. Guess we'll have to change destinations. :(

Gas hit a new high yesterday: $2.85/gal (and I know it's higher elsewhere). At this rate we won't be able to afford driving to work!!!

Joan

My hubby filled up this morning: $3.00/gal for regular

And to follow up: At 1 pm we went on a bike trip to the local grocery store. The gas price has gone up to $3.20/gal

Dianne

Dianne Lewandowski wrote:

The latest from CNN.com for the many people who've asked me about friends and relatives in Mississippi:

Troops 'cutting their way to the coast' In Mississippi, where fallen trees blocked many highways, about 3,000 members of the National Guard were "using chainsaws to cut their way in to the coast," said Brad Mayo, a public information officer for the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).

Eighteen urban search-and-rescue crews made up of FEMA teams and crews from other states are heading to the coastal region, Mayo said, along with 39 medical disaster teams, four veterinary disaster teams and two mental health teams.

Some areas were still inaccessible by road, Mayo said, and crews were using boats to get around.

Wednesday, state officials reopened U.S. Highway 49 from Jackson to Seminary, Mississippi, just north of Hattiesburg. That should help the

1,700 trucks bringing in ice, food, water, fuel and medical supplies to the affected areas. "We're shipping ice in from Memphis," Mayo said.

An emergency official in Jackson told CNN on Wednesday the death toll there is as many as 110.

The official said the confirmed death toll -- deaths certified by a coroner -- stands at 13, but in Harrison County alone officials said they had at least 100 bodies.

In the hardest hit areas in Hancock, Harrison and Jackson counties, emergency officials are setting up M*A*S*H-style hospitals in tents and portable structures to try to help those injured or rescued.

Mayo said the state is asking for doctors, nurses and emergency medical technicians from neighboring states for their help. Those who want to assist should contact their state's licensing board, which should then get in touch with Mississippi's board for accreditation.

The Sun Herald has a map on the website, where you can click on the red dot for generalizations about some of the towns along the Mississippi coast. Unfortunately, the town I'm investigating does not yet have a red dot, which means that they still haven't been able to get any information out. No landlines, no public safety radios, and only spotty cell phone service.