RTP-area local music and culture

[Chris Calloway <ifoufo AT yahoo.com>]

--- -tg <tcgibson AT mindspring.com> wrote:
> If someone you know needs a reminder of what
> Katrina was/is and what "her" devastation continues
> to look like, there's an impressive documentary
> (The Storm) available via PBS's Frontline.

a coworker recently back from helping family in
southern mississippi reported:

* there's not much left

* for miles in any direction

* months later, still no utilities of any kind

* for those left, the place is a ghost town

* no evidence of any gummint relief to be seen

* insurance companies claiming flood insurance no good

* insurance companies claiming non-flood damage not
covered

* single church in town was sole contact with any help

* help consisted of:

      o one hot meal a day from local church

      o one bag of ice every other day from local
church

* then the church ran out

* getting colder while living in tents

* fema won't release trailers unless:

      o all utilities turned back on

      o ground is uncontaminated

* cleanup slow due to lack of people to help

* can't even pay anyone to help

* biggest need is people

* if gas or grocery store were to reopen, no one to
work in them

* nearest open grocery store over an hour away

* that store has line out the door and not much in it

* difficult to get clean after being covered in black
mold and mud from cleaning up all day

* many roads still impassable; have to take circuitous
routes

* no where and no way to haul off debris if could get
it cleared

* still missing friends and relatives

* many former pets wandering around looking crazed

* nearest home supply store out of everything needed

* rumors of walmart supply lots over-rated; out of
most necessities

* still finding dead people in houses

* curfews mean too few hours of daylight to dig out
and drive hours for necessities

* running out of money anyway

* feeling that unless from nola or have relatives
elsewhere, nowhere to escape to, no way to get new
jobs

* unemployment office gone; no one around

* desperation; rage; incomprehension

* people are all alone in their misery