Worst-case scenario

[constance]

I've been staring at hurricane footage for so much of the past couple of days, spending so much time trying to track people down, that just now when I went outside with the dog, I was a little surprised not to see whitecaps and rushing water. It is only moderately wet here and drying out now, and I guess we are out of danger (though I thought last night's tornado sirens were a malfunctioning metal fan and did not even realize differently until a coworker was telling me this afternoon about cowering in her bathtub with a mattress and two children with a tornado blowing through her neighborhood, so I am not to be trusted).

Out of danger. I wish I could say the same for my friends in NO, most of whom are homeless--not to mention jobless--as of today. And much more worrying, the parents of a couple of friends decided to stay and haven't been heard from since the storm began, one set in NO which is bad enough, and the other on a farm in Pearl River County in MS, which. It's just north of Gulfport, you see.

One of my old Mid-city neighborhood:



And one of my friend M's, called, without apparent irony, the Bywater:



It is only going to get worse before it gets better, but I bet from the floor of the Superdome (from which they are not allowing people to leave), from the rooftops of houses, from the interstate islands, it feels like it can't possibly be worse.

Comments

[dahlia-777.livejournal.com]

Oh, T. I've been watching the coverage and it rends my heart. And it must be a thousand times worse for you. I hope your friends, and those missing parents who stayed in the city, all turn out to be OK,

I can't remember if I ever mentioned this but I visited NO a long time ago (1994, I think) and have very happy memories of it. I think it's an amazing place I'm sure it will survive this.

[tofty.livejournal.com]

You're absolutely right--New Orleans is going to survive this. It is determined to survive, and that's a good sign. I'm a little dismayed that it won't really be the city I remember, any more, but I just need to suck that shit up because THIS WAS ALWAYS GOING TO HAPPEN, AND EVERYBODY KNEW IT.

I am hoping for L's and M's parents as well. :/

:::

Dahlia, I have your story! I read it, and loved it, and then got distracted, and I haven't really noticed the passing of time, I'm sorry to say. I am sending you an email now, if it's not too late.

[dahlia-777.livejournal.com]

I'm watching and watching and the news just gets worse. There was that terrible tragedy in Iraq yesterday as well. It's just awful.

Darling, you are very sweet. I honestly wouldn't have minded if you'd missed the deadline. You've got more important things to worry about than my stupid spanking story. I'm very grateful for your comments though, and I'm about to send you an email now.

[tofty.livejournal.com]

Your spanking story was a most welcome change, believe me.

E-mail reply drifting your way soon!

[somniesperus.livejournal.com]

*huge hugs*

One of my students asked today if they were going to rebuild New Orleans, or just...I don't know, drain it, leave it, and start over elsewhere. There was no doubt in my mind that NO will rise again. No question, though: this sucks.

[tofty.livejournal.com]

I totally agree with you, on all counts, and return the hug with interest.

[miraminx.livejournal.com]

I have been thinking of you a lot and hoping that your friends still in New Orleans were safe, so my heart really goes out to you, and to them. I've got my fingers crossed for your friends' parents. The whole situation is horrendous and I feel very frustrated that all I can do is send money, and send you warm thoughts and virtual embraces. *hugs*

[tofty.livejournal.com]

*hugs back*

I am feeling the same frustration. Looking at it realistically: What can I do? If FEMA and the police and the rescue crews and the military are nearly immobilized, I am not exactly going to make things better. Some irrational part of me, though, is still saying, "Yes, but..."