home part 2
I'm sorry I haven't yet replied to all of you regarding Hurricane Irene and my town. Please know that your support means the world to me and I love all of you so much for your kind words and thoughts.
My dad got through the first night fine. He went on a call to help a woman who's lungs only work at 18%; she has a machine to help her breathe that obviously stopped working once the power went out. She wanted to go to the hospital- they couldn't get her there. The roads leading to any of the hospitals they would take her to were washed out. (Remember, this is a very small town, the closest hospital is over 40 minutes away.) Instead they brought her to the firehouse (that had just been rebuilt after a fire last year that left it in ruins), so they could hook her breathing apparatus up to the generator, and my dad spent the night on the concrete floor in case she needed an EMT.
Can you see now why he is my hero?
Anyway.
Things are bad. Really, really bad. More and more news is coming through of bridges and roads washed out, homes destroyed. Mud, water, and debris is everywhere. Homes are being condemned because of mold. My friend Jay's wife posted a picture of a giant stuffed animal that Jay's father had gotten for his grandson- the head of the giant dog, washed away when their house washed away, on the side of the road. They are walking through the woods every day, looking for pieces from their home. It's gone. Completely. She said that wasn't even the worst of the photos, that she couldn't post it. That just guts me. I cannot even. There's no way to contemplate. I am just heartsick for these people. I have known Bill and Barbara, Jay's parents, for years, Jay and I grew up together. I remember playing Operation at their house on Jay's birthday, I couldn't have been more than 5 or 6. I think I was the only girl invited to his birthday. I am sending them a donation, I wish it could be more. Nothing will ever replace their home. Nothing will replace what has been taken from them.
The National Guard is in town. They have been there since it flooded. They are organizing volunteers and clean up efforts. They are no longer letting anyone who does not have proof of residency into town. Even people who own second homes up there are not allowed in. Apparently there have been issues with looting and there is a dusk to dawn curfew. Looting? Really? We don't know if it's people from town or outsiders. It's just so sad. People have lost everything. It's Post-Katrina New Orleans. Not on the same scale, obviously as New Orleans is an entire city impacted, and we are a bunch of small towns. But the brave faces, the hope and resolve people pull together after a tragedy like this is the same no matter where you go. It's sad any time someone takes advantage of that.
Anyway. The National Guard. They are helping the cleanup. Volunteers are shoveling mud, removing sheetrock, distributing clothes and food and offering shelter. I wish I could be there. I wish I could help. They just got 50,000 lbs of food and they've gotten enough clothing and blankets. I want to donate money but I don't even know where to start. Do I give to the town, to help rebuild? Do I buy gift cards to Wal-Mart and Target that can be distributed to individuals who need them? Do I buy school supplies for the kids who have nothing now? I've gotta talk to my mom, she's in the loop, she'll know.
The whole thing just breaks my heart. But the town will rebuild. Life will go on. I never want to live there again but my ties to my hometown are stronger than ever.
My dad got through the first night fine. He went on a call to help a woman who's lungs only work at 18%; she has a machine to help her breathe that obviously stopped working once the power went out. She wanted to go to the hospital- they couldn't get her there. The roads leading to any of the hospitals they would take her to were washed out. (Remember, this is a very small town, the closest hospital is over 40 minutes away.) Instead they brought her to the firehouse (that had just been rebuilt after a fire last year that left it in ruins), so they could hook her breathing apparatus up to the generator, and my dad spent the night on the concrete floor in case she needed an EMT.
Can you see now why he is my hero?
Anyway.
Things are bad. Really, really bad. More and more news is coming through of bridges and roads washed out, homes destroyed. Mud, water, and debris is everywhere. Homes are being condemned because of mold. My friend Jay's wife posted a picture of a giant stuffed animal that Jay's father had gotten for his grandson- the head of the giant dog, washed away when their house washed away, on the side of the road. They are walking through the woods every day, looking for pieces from their home. It's gone. Completely. She said that wasn't even the worst of the photos, that she couldn't post it. That just guts me. I cannot even. There's no way to contemplate. I am just heartsick for these people. I have known Bill and Barbara, Jay's parents, for years, Jay and I grew up together. I remember playing Operation at their house on Jay's birthday, I couldn't have been more than 5 or 6. I think I was the only girl invited to his birthday. I am sending them a donation, I wish it could be more. Nothing will ever replace their home. Nothing will replace what has been taken from them.
The National Guard is in town. They have been there since it flooded. They are organizing volunteers and clean up efforts. They are no longer letting anyone who does not have proof of residency into town. Even people who own second homes up there are not allowed in. Apparently there have been issues with looting and there is a dusk to dawn curfew. Looting? Really? We don't know if it's people from town or outsiders. It's just so sad. People have lost everything. It's Post-Katrina New Orleans. Not on the same scale, obviously as New Orleans is an entire city impacted, and we are a bunch of small towns. But the brave faces, the hope and resolve people pull together after a tragedy like this is the same no matter where you go. It's sad any time someone takes advantage of that.
Anyway. The National Guard. They are helping the cleanup. Volunteers are shoveling mud, removing sheetrock, distributing clothes and food and offering shelter. I wish I could be there. I wish I could help. They just got 50,000 lbs of food and they've gotten enough clothing and blankets. I want to donate money but I don't even know where to start. Do I give to the town, to help rebuild? Do I buy gift cards to Wal-Mart and Target that can be distributed to individuals who need them? Do I buy school supplies for the kids who have nothing now? I've gotta talk to my mom, she's in the loop, she'll know.
The whole thing just breaks my heart. But the town will rebuild. Life will go on. I never want to live there again but my ties to my hometown are stronger than ever.