We experienced about an 8 ft tide surge at our place a bit east of Pcola(almost 200 miles from NO). I don't think we'll hear much from Byrdman for a while. It took 10 days to get our power back after Ivan and 2 months for phone service. This storm will have the gulf coast from Pcola to west of NO in a mess for a long time(years). It could be a month or more before those folks whos homes that can have the power turned back on, are back on line.
KATRINA CAT V: Prayers Please
- Thread starter Byrdman
- Start date
El and Bill
New member
Pat Byrd is fine -- heard from him today.
Hey Gang! I am fine. Thanks and I am truly sorry for not doing a follow on post here. I am wrong for not doing that. Just a bit off balance. You see, this time last year I would have been right in the middle of the war room, figuring who is going to run out of what next and how can we safely get it to them... Things get way crazy..and will get worse the next few days. Already, they are talking of fuel shortages as far north as Birmingham, AL... I have been wondering how they can use the water makers on the Navy vessels and use chinooks to drop water on LOG areas inland, lift with smaller helicopters (sure would be great to have a fleet of hueys again with the much less prop wash...instead of going all black hawk which blows folks off the roofs..) down to the stranded folks. You can live with just water for several days. A lot of folks have some type of canned food that if they can get underwater to get it...will hold them over for a few days...but they have to have that water...clean potable water..not the run off stuff after the sewers have now flooded out... It hurts to see folks chopping thru roofs and pulling the elders out... Just how many are going to be found in those attics...and pined down somewhere in the homes. Take a look at the north bound interstates of the abandoned automobiles. Some folks tried to get out...and their cars broke down, ran out of fuel, money... Most of us are truly over blessed. I for one surely am. On our last outbriefing from last years hurricane series...some spots hit by 3 in a row, we suggested stagging truck loads of water and fuel, hunkered down about 200 miles inland, then, roll them to some designated high ground areas to be pumped out to smaller vehicles for distribution, again, some areas simply have to have airlift. But, a lot of water and a lot of fuel to run the emergency generators is needed. Particuarly if you have a hospital on high ground that survived.. The football stadiums will be very interesting to watch... particuarly with no "pump-out" plan and folks who can not flush by the thousands gathering in them. I'd watch for some very large floating barges to be put together with minimal medical, water, food aboard. Just keep praying. It feels funny for the phone not to be ringing for the call up message. ANy body get any type of signals from Law??
Retired, over blessed, sitting comfortably in my nice dry air conditioned home, plenty to eat and drink, praying for those folks. Take notice of the change in voice and body language of the media folks...Remember that burst of excitement and energy they had when they were all shuffling to get into the "best spot" for broadcasting.... Notice, that now that the reality has hit them, most of them are no longer on the air. Tuff Stuff
Byrdman
Retired, over blessed, sitting comfortably in my nice dry air conditioned home, plenty to eat and drink, praying for those folks. Take notice of the change in voice and body language of the media folks...Remember that burst of excitement and energy they had when they were all shuffling to get into the "best spot" for broadcasting.... Notice, that now that the reality has hit them, most of them are no longer on the air. Tuff Stuff
Byrdman
Interesting turn of events in my life in the last 30 minutes. Just made the post about feeling weird about sitting here in my home rather than in the war room... sent it... prayed....
10 minutes ago I got a call from someone who needed help just secruring a home in our area, then, in the same call, found we were opening tonight a shelter at our church for 80 familes that are being evacuated from the coast....and will be working with getting them in, bunked down, and meal prep. Then, hung up from that and found we have just volenteered to send 1.5 tons of our heat-n-eat products south to the coast....well...that was a bit larger tax write off than we were looking for...but it is needed and we can do it... and, more than likely we will fall in on the major feed the south food plan that is being put together by large food distriburots like SYSCO foods... It is insane some of the contruction estimates, utility esimates, logistical stuff that is going on....
WOW.... what a little prayer will bring in less than an hour. Gone to get BUSY!!!! Keep on praying for those folks. :thup :thup See yall when I get back on. Byrdman
10 minutes ago I got a call from someone who needed help just secruring a home in our area, then, in the same call, found we were opening tonight a shelter at our church for 80 familes that are being evacuated from the coast....and will be working with getting them in, bunked down, and meal prep. Then, hung up from that and found we have just volenteered to send 1.5 tons of our heat-n-eat products south to the coast....well...that was a bit larger tax write off than we were looking for...but it is needed and we can do it... and, more than likely we will fall in on the major feed the south food plan that is being put together by large food distriburots like SYSCO foods... It is insane some of the contruction estimates, utility esimates, logistical stuff that is going on....
WOW.... what a little prayer will bring in less than an hour. Gone to get BUSY!!!! Keep on praying for those folks. :thup :thup See yall when I get back on. Byrdman
Hello All,
We made it through Katrina.
Our home sustained NO damage, but the destruction surrounding us is un-fathomable. Individuals have cleared the roads. We drive over hundreds of power lines, and under trees leaning across roads and power lines propped up on 8' 2x4's. There is no sign of any help from any parish, state, or federal government.
Thats ok though, because I have solar panels powering 4 L-16 batteries which provide plenty of juice for communications, charging batteries, and even run a 250 watt pure sine wave inverter, which is powering this computer, phones (the phone lines are laying on the road), and fax machine.
Our 10K genny runs every thing else, if I control the loads properly. It will run the central air, or the water pump and hot water heater, or during the day, I have it powering the freezer to make ice which we put in a large ice chest for refrigeration. Our refrigerator decided to during this little adventure.
We had to go to Baton Rouge yesterday for gas, and to use the phone yesterday (90 miles), but we got phones last night, which work on an intermittent basis.
I thank God for his protection, and all of you for your prayers.
My experience as a plant manager on the North Slope has prepared me well.
This area is a waste land in every sense. the banks are closed, no services are available, no food or water is to be had (the closest is almost 100 miles away, and then you have to wait in long lines for hours, only to be turned away just before making a purchase)
I'll send this now while I can, but will continue later if anyone is interested in hearing more.
Thanks again for all of your prayers, well wishes, and encouragement.
We are now in the process of looking to move back to the San Juan islands.
Law
We made it through Katrina.
Our home sustained NO damage, but the destruction surrounding us is un-fathomable. Individuals have cleared the roads. We drive over hundreds of power lines, and under trees leaning across roads and power lines propped up on 8' 2x4's. There is no sign of any help from any parish, state, or federal government.
Thats ok though, because I have solar panels powering 4 L-16 batteries which provide plenty of juice for communications, charging batteries, and even run a 250 watt pure sine wave inverter, which is powering this computer, phones (the phone lines are laying on the road), and fax machine.
Our 10K genny runs every thing else, if I control the loads properly. It will run the central air, or the water pump and hot water heater, or during the day, I have it powering the freezer to make ice which we put in a large ice chest for refrigeration. Our refrigerator decided to during this little adventure.
We had to go to Baton Rouge yesterday for gas, and to use the phone yesterday (90 miles), but we got phones last night, which work on an intermittent basis.
I thank God for his protection, and all of you for your prayers.
My experience as a plant manager on the North Slope has prepared me well.
This area is a waste land in every sense. the banks are closed, no services are available, no food or water is to be had (the closest is almost 100 miles away, and then you have to wait in long lines for hours, only to be turned away just before making a purchase)
I'll send this now while I can, but will continue later if anyone is interested in hearing more.
Thanks again for all of your prayers, well wishes, and encouragement.
We are now in the process of looking to move back to the San Juan islands.
Law
El and Bill
New member
Law --
So glad to hear from you and know all's well with you. Your description of the destruction is incredible -- what a horrific experience. Fortunately, you have the background experience to handle the crisis. Thanks so much for taking the time to post your message to the pub -- we have all been thinking, praying, and holding you in our thoughts -- we're all with you, and if there is anything you need or we can supply to you or your neighbors, let us know -- for now, you have all our best wishes -- el and bill
So glad to hear from you and know all's well with you. Your description of the destruction is incredible -- what a horrific experience. Fortunately, you have the background experience to handle the crisis. Thanks so much for taking the time to post your message to the pub -- we have all been thinking, praying, and holding you in our thoughts -- we're all with you, and if there is anything you need or we can supply to you or your neighbors, let us know -- for now, you have all our best wishes -- el and bill
Seeker":28yfxy3u said:
We didn't leave our place by Pcola for about 6 weeks after Ivan, and when I got back to illinois it seemed odd that the signs were not broken and everything you looked at was not bent or mangled in one way or another.
Sounds like you've got it under control. The destruction is hard to get used to but you've got your health and home :thup
I've attempted to contact Joe W. and Peg on their e-mail but it came back undeliverable. Has anyone heard from them. I know it has been a while since he posted on the C-Brat Site. The last I knew they were "home - porting" the "Betty Louise" on Lake Ponchartrain, near Slidall, LA.
Our prayers are with you Joe, Peg, and the rest of you fine folks during this unfortunate event!
Our prayers are with you Joe, Peg, and the rest of you fine folks during this unfortunate event!
Well, I have been dug in working at our Church, Frazer United Methodist on coordinating and setting up systems for our Desaster Relief Teams. Things are going very fast here now. Yesturday, we had an aviation group, sorry, but Angle something or other.... offer their aircrafts to fly into the smaller community to just bring in baby items.... babby food, diapers, handy wipes, diapers... things like that. So, in less than 3 hours, we packed the hanger at the airport and waited for the planes. Good news/ban news. Good news, 4 aircraft show up...the corparate type, flying on their own dollars which will not be refunded... Bad news, they could only haul about 1/8th of the requested 6 specific items...and some more good news, others were at the hanger, rented a great ol big rental truck, drove her down and back a couple of times. Then, over 160 other families signed up as new members to the Desaster Relief Teams (DST). So, I have been going very long hours coordinating and putting together data to assist SUPLEMENT all the military, and all other agencies efforts to move and fix things. AND...like their systems, we have to go slow to build small teams for the small areas. Some teams are finding the best efforts TODAY... are teams of about 6 in two vehicles, loaded with water and food for meals for a day...and grills and stuff to cook the breakfast and dinner meal with sandwhich items. Then, they bring the folks dirty laundry back home, clean it, and return the next day. Each day, finding new folks and new needs. These needs are being coordinated for follow on DSTs.. So, we are busy. We need prayers...and there might be a chance for others to help...if ya like some type of mission work. Each year we have a "Christian RV" group set up in our soccer field that has power hookups for RVs. Then, they use our church for conferences. So, in the next couple of days we may solicit folks with RVs (they can house and feed themselves) for days/weeks at a time, and they can join the DSTs which will give us a great support team to work 7 days a week with our newly formed teams working the THRUST DAYS of Friday thru Sunday, going down to fix items identified. WOW....Just think of our field filled with C-Dory's working relief efforts. If you are interested if this works out, want to come down, plug in your boat and/or RV and go to work.... send me an email and let me know. I will know by Wednesday of this week if this will come together.
JOEL:SEA3PO....thanks for the call. It was very timely and I needed a pick me up at that time. Way more is not going right than right...and it gave me pause in our mess to know there are those cheering us on.
Byrdman.... Getting back to work!!
JOEL:SEA3PO....thanks for the call. It was very timely and I needed a pick me up at that time. Way more is not going right than right...and it gave me pause in our mess to know there are those cheering us on.
Byrdman.... Getting back to work!!
Thank you, Mr. Bryd. Thank you.
I posted a whining note on the fishing forum about not catching any fish - tragedy of tragedies - but went back and deleted it after reading your post.
Now I think I'll go back over this thread and split the cause/effect posts from the prayer/care posts and put them into a separate thread. Kind of in line with your earlier "Go back to message one" suggestion.
I posted a whining note on the fishing forum about not catching any fish - tragedy of tragedies - but went back and deleted it after reading your post.
Now I think I'll go back over this thread and split the cause/effect posts from the prayer/care posts and put them into a separate thread. Kind of in line with your earlier "Go back to message one" suggestion.
Despite our rants on the sister thread, there is still need to focus on this one. There are an overwhelming number of news stories, and admittedly I have been reluctant to read many of them, but this one about the kids smacked me pretty good.
Just this one paragraph from the cited article gives a fresh, albeit eerie, perspective:
Just this one paragraph from the cited article gives a fresh, albeit eerie, perspective:
El and Bill
New member
Good work, Pat -- do you need boats to deliver goods? We'll call and see how things are going.
WOW... been dug in for about the last 10 days organizing and getting goods down south. We are being supported from Vancleave United Methodist Church. There is another small church down the road from them. Some pictures have been posted on our church's web sit from some of our work teams. A lot of work to do, and often hard to have very hard working, very proud men break and cry...but they are rebuilding. www.frazer.org I think is our web site. Frazer United Methodist Church, and there is a picture top center you can click on for pics, updates and sign ups. I am very tired, but feel good to know I am helping in some way. I guess I know now why I retired this year. Have not been back to my boat since the initial check up, but plan to go Monday/Tuesday night just to unplug and chill. Then, I will more than likely go down south for some area RECONs and be better prepared for follow on trips. To see water up 4 and 5 feet high, 10 miles inland is an awakening moment. The lines you see on some of the pics about 4' up are water lines. A lot of work. Keep on praying...and if ya get board, COME ON DOWN!!
Anyone up for a C-Dory Gathering in Vancleave MS with a work day or two thrown in?? Food, housing, tools, laundry services, beds, linens, pillows, towels and wash cloths all provided at NO CHARGE... We can house and feed about 20 more folks a day thru the week and even on some weekends.
Man, spent the last few days down in MS taking peoples' worldly possecions out to the street, tearing out sheet rock, taking up carpets. What a mess both physically and emotionally. I am now truly aware of why I "was retired" instead of selected for another tour. My work in the last month with the disaster relief teams has for sure been very trying at times, angry at times, but most of all very rewarding after going down for a few days and seeing some of the results of the teams and being in the middle of it myself. This is way better than anything I could have accomplished in the AL ARNG with the promoting quotas and BS that was and is taking place. I am a much happier man. Take a look around you home tonight and just visualize a line about 7' high around the top of each and every room. Then, just imagine that you lost everything below that line in every room. Then to find out that none of your homeowners insurance is going to pay didly because you did not purchase the extra flood pertection because the area that your home is built in has not flodded in over 50 years and was zoned a "non-flood" zone. What people seem to hate loosing most are for sure not the most exspensive items, but the items handed down from generations. This is truly an awakening experience. Going back down real soon and will be working with FEMA Thursday night at Frazer UMC on how our churches can work together with FEMA to make things much more effective in OUR recovery efforts. I am tired, but can not stop.
Man, spent the last few days down in MS taking peoples' worldly possecions out to the street, tearing out sheet rock, taking up carpets. What a mess both physically and emotionally. I am now truly aware of why I "was retired" instead of selected for another tour. My work in the last month with the disaster relief teams has for sure been very trying at times, angry at times, but most of all very rewarding after going down for a few days and seeing some of the results of the teams and being in the middle of it myself. This is way better than anything I could have accomplished in the AL ARNG with the promoting quotas and BS that was and is taking place. I am a much happier man. Take a look around you home tonight and just visualize a line about 7' high around the top of each and every room. Then, just imagine that you lost everything below that line in every room. Then to find out that none of your homeowners insurance is going to pay didly because you did not purchase the extra flood pertection because the area that your home is built in has not flodded in over 50 years and was zoned a "non-flood" zone. What people seem to hate loosing most are for sure not the most exspensive items, but the items handed down from generations. This is truly an awakening experience. Going back down real soon and will be working with FEMA Thursday night at Frazer UMC on how our churches can work together with FEMA to make things much more effective in OUR recovery efforts. I am tired, but can not stop.