As a national organization, the National Conference of State Legislatures provides its members the opportunity to build relationships with colleagues from across the country and around the world. As such, state lawmakers and legislative staff from around the country are particularly concerned for the safety and well-being of their colleagues in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
Below are updates from the legislative community who have been affected by the devastation.
(updated September 2, 2005)
| DATE/TIME: |
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
9:49 a.m. |
| AUTHOR: |
Mac Gordon, Mississippi
House Public Information Officer |
Good Folk: Please pass on the word that LINCS has survived Katrina!
Our home in Jackson looks like a battleground with limbs and debris, but that is nothing. There are at least 80 dead in Miss., and probably hundreds in the New Orleans area.
We lost power at home at 4 p.m. Monday and it will probably be days before getting it back.
Unbelievably, the Capitol has power and coffee. I was about to kill for a cup of coffee this a.m.
A huge oak is down out on the Capitol lawn.
But, hey, the sun is shining and we are well.
Thanks for your prayers. We will need them a few more days.
Mac
| DATE/TIME: |
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
11:30 a.m. |
| AUTHOR: |
Mike Murphy, Alabama
Senate Public Information Officer |
Montgomery was unscathed...just some rain, however, Mobile downtown area is flooded as is the Eastern shore of Mobile Bay which includes Fairhope and Point Clear...Fort Morgan was hit pretty hard and Dauphin Island I am sure took a good hit...Mississippi Gulf Coast is horrible as is New
Orleans...glad you and Mary Lee survived with minimal damage Mac...and hope you get power back before too long...call if there is anything we can do.
Mike
| DATE/TIME: |
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
9:45 a.m. |
| AUTHOR: |
Mac Gordon, Mississippi
House Public Information Officer |
Good Folk: What a disastrous difference a day has made.
Our hearts are extremely heavy due to the absolute annihilation of the Miss. Gulf Coast and New Orleans metro area. Virtually nothing is left on the Coast. Each of the 15 casinos is destroyed. One casino is literally sitting atop a Holiday Inn Express. Can you imagine the power that took? The casino disaster will cost the state a half million dollars a day in real time. Worse is that they all have to be rebuilt, which could take a year or more. The Beau Rivage is the only one I know of that is still standing, but it had water to the 4th floor.
New Orleans, well, you see the pictures. What else can you say about what has happened there. I was listening to WWL radio (870 a.m. which can be heard in most of the country the other night and the announcer larned on the air that his was under water. How's that for live radio?
I suspect the overall death toll between the Miss. Coast and N.O. will reach 1,000. I pray not, but that's not out of the question.
At least one member of the House's home was gutted by the force of the water. Our pro-tem's house is under 4 feet of water. His son's home a few blocks away was knocked off its blocks.
I cannot imagine how this computer system at the Capitol is still working. Everything else in Jackson proper is down -- no power, no ice and no gasoline. The lines are staggering.
God works in unbelievable ways. Tuesday afternoon Mary Lee and I were out looking for gas and ice and came back home about 5 p.m. She walked in and there was power!!!!!
I don't want to sound pious, but the truth is we both felt guilty for having a cool, sleepful night. We are definitely going to church tonight!!
I worry about Sheila McCant and Mike Murphy, too, and the folk in their states. Hopefully they will gave us a report.
Look at the aerial shots of the Coast and N.O. and please thank God that you are alive and well. So many people are not.
I value each of you so much.
Mac
| DATE/TIME: |
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
12:50 p.m. |
| AUTHOR: |
Cathy Atkins, NCSL
Staff Liaison to Mississippi |
I just talked to the Clerk of the House in Mississippi and he indicated that the Capitol complex is running on back up power and will likely shut down shortly and remain that way until Friday. He also said that in the parts of Mississippi away from the Gulf Coast the biggest immediate problem is lack of gasoline. The shut down will be an effort to conserve gasoline until shipments can arrive.
| DATE/TIME: |
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
3:15 p.m. |
| AUTHOR: |
Sheila McCant, Louisiana
House Public Information Officer |
Hi Everyone,
Well, I know Brenda is OK and I'm OK. I haven't talked to her but I know she is at work and I left a message for her. I am also wondering and worrying about Mike.
We just heard that Mayor Nagin of New Orleans is saying there may be thousands dead in New Orleans. They haven't been able to stop the breach in the levee and the water is still pouring in. Texas is sending hundreds of buses to get people out of the Superdome and over to the
Astrodome in Texas.
I spoke to one of our reps who told me several of his children lost their homes. One of his son's, who is an emergency room doctor, is at Charity Hospital in New Orleans working. He said his son told him he now understands why Charity is considered one of the best trauma units around -- he said things there are going like clockwork. One of his daughters, who works for the Ritz Carlton Hotel on Canal St. is at work. This is the story of just one of our legislators. Other legislators
and their families also lost everything.
They are trying to get all of these people in New Orleans evacuated. Some are still trapped on rooftops and in attics. Baton Rouge is totally inundated with refugees from New Orleans and the surrounding parishes. It is just totally unfathomable. We are in the process of setting up some type of communications center at the capitol for legislators who cannot go home and have no home to go to to be able to have some communication with constituents. The Jefferson Parish Council held a meeting this morning at the Baton Rouge Council offices to pass resolutions and ask for more help. Many, many of their residents are in temporary shelters and hotels here in Baton Rouge. Their area is one of those almost totally under water. When I hear them say these people may
be able to go home in a month I just can't believe it.
Mac, I'm so glad to know you are safe but my heart goes out to all of you in Mississippi as well. I am very familiar with the Gulfport, Biloxi area as we are down there several times a year. I just couldn't believe the pictures. This was such a quaint, beautiful area with stately old homes and beautiful oaks. And now, it's gone. I know I'm rambling but I guess like so many in Louisiana and Mississippi I'm in shock. I was in New Orleans the weekend before the storm and that was probably my last weekend to be there for quite some time. And that is just hard to comprehend.
We certainly need all the prayers we can get. I'm afraid the news may get worse before it gets better.
| DATE/TIME: |
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
3:56 p.m. |
| AUTHOR: |
Mike Murphy, Alabama
Senate Public Information Officer |
Hi Everyone
Things are fine here in Montgomery, in fact it barely rained...however, Mobile and our Gulf Coast got hammered yet again...Dauphin Island has severe destruction, including an oil rig that washed ashore from 30 miles out! Mobile suffered a lot of flooding, but my understanding is that it has receded...and the Eastern Shore, especially Point Clear Resort had 4-6 feet of water in the lobby and other buildings.
Birmingham had severe power outages and according to Alabama Power Company, it was the worst power outage in history (700,000 people)...but all of this pales in comparison to Mississippi and Louisiana...New Orleans and the Mississippi coast just breaks my heart...and I understand Beauvoir is a total loss...house survives 160 years and all of those storms, including Camille and now gone! Glad you and Mary Lee are OK Mac and Sheila, glad to hear that you and Brenda are OK as well.
Thanks to all for your concern...it's nice to know someone cares.
Mike
| DATE/TIME: |
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
5:44 p.m. |
| AUTHOR: |
Senator Hillman Frazier, Mississippi |
Thank you for being concerned about the people of the State of Mississippi. This information will be very useful as we attempt to recover from the effects of Hurricane Katrina.
Hurricane Katrina has been the worst natural disaster that I have ever witnessed. It will take years for the States of Mississippi and Louisiana to recover. We had wind damage here at the Capitol and
only 3% of the people in the City of Jackson had electricity last night. Our main concern right now is to rescue as many people as possible. The body recovery process will take several days along with the massive cleaning up task. We are going to pull together do what is necessary
during this period of recovery.
Thank you for your concern. Please keep these families in your prayers.
Hillman
| DATE/TIME: |
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
6:15 p.m. |
| AUTHOR: |
Suzanne Marinelli, Hawaii
Public Access Coordinator |
Mac, Sheila, Mike, all of you -
I have a hard time reading these messages, yet no power on earth could stop me. If only my tears could wash away your grief...
In '92 my little Kauai, 35 miles wide, took a direct hit from Hurricane 'Iniki, a category 4 storm that was 150 miles wide. Most of the nation never even heard about 'Iniki, since it was just after Andrew (September 11, ironically). It profoundly changed our lives.
So I see the scenes, I hear the reports, and I know, too well, the depths of anguish, the losses that won't even begin to appear for months. But I know, too, how people come together - friends, family, strangers, 'enemies', to work for the common good. Of the resources available to you, no matter how limited or plentiful they may be, this is one of the most precious.
My own daughter is somewhere down in Mississippi with the Navy. I would be so incredibly relieved to hear from her, but I know I won't for quite some time. I comfort myself with knowing she's probably okay. And for those of you who may also be wishing to hear from those whom you love, I'll share this story: Two different people told me, a long time after 'Iniki, that they had tried to contact me via the Red Cross. Both people were told that I was missing, that they had no record of me, that there was no trace. But I was there. I was as fine as a person could be under the circumstances.
So don't lose heart. The absence of good news isn't necessarily bad news (I'll keep reminding myself of that too, every time I wonder where my Annalisa is). Tragedy is the backdrop, the goodness of humanity the wonder. Miracles thrive in rubble.
Suzanne
| DATE/TIME: |
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
6:27 p.m. |
| AUTHOR: |
Brenda Hodge, Louisiana
Senate Public Information Officer |
Okay...It's my turn. Brenda Hodge here with the Louisiana Senate. Where do I start? First, I and all of my family survived with little or no property damage. We have been inconvenienced with no power, limited cell phones, etc., but when you consider what so many thousands of others are facing our inconveniences are almost laughable.
I have to say that the devastation and human suffering you are witnessing via news coverage cannot possibly convey the extent of what has happened to Louisiana. I came to work today to try to help about a dozen of our members who have relocated to Baton Rouge and are trying to set up temporary district offices here in the state capitol to respond to constituency needs. The members are numb. Most of them have lost their homes and their businesses. They are frustrated with the lack of information available to them and to their constituents about what is happening. Emergency staff in the Senate has been trying to field calls from evacuees and concerned family members about rescue efforts, shelters, feeding programs, etc. since state emergency officials are overloaded.
One of our members has spent the day on the phone trying to find diesel fuel for his local hospital that will run out of fuel to power generators in the next couple of hours. Over 150,000 school children have been displaced and families are being told to enroll their children in schools in the area where they have relocated. Displaced citizens have been advised to find permanent housing for at least another month and perhaps until January or February of next year. While New Orleans is getting the most national attention, there are 11 parishes in Louisiana that have been severely impacted by Katrina. Lower Plaquemines Parish and all of St. Bernard Parish which are south and east of New Orleans are destroyed. Every structure in St. Bernard Parish is under water.
This is an intensely emotional time for our state. Just a few minutes ago, a firefighter in Jefferson Parish who has spent the last 48 hours pulling folks out of flooded attics and off roof tops, pleaded - with tears in his eyes - for food and water for him and his fellow rescue workers. Hardened New Orleans tv reporters - who by the way are operating in a simulcast arrangement with BR tv stations - cannot hold back their tears or steady their voices as they describe what they are seeing. This is truely Louisiana tsunami.
In addition to the loss of life and property, a major economic engine in Louisiana - New Orleans - is no more as is the case in Mississippi with the loss of their resorts and gaming facilities along the coast. With the relocation of tens of thousands of people, Baton Rouge is now considered the largest metropolitan area in Louisiana. I am not sure we are ready to deal with the demands.
Finally, as you watch the news coverage, please remember that situations like these bring out the best and the worst in folks. On the news, you will likely see only the worst. Please remember that we in Louisiana also see and experience the best. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.
Some of you have expressed an interest in helping with relief donations. The following link lists several efforts - http://2theadvocate.com/livepages4/830.shtml
Thanks again for your concerns and may we all count our blessings.
Brenda Hodge
Louisiana Senate
| DATE/TIME: |
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
7:59 p.m. |
| AUTHOR: |
Mary Lee Gordon, Mississippi
Wife of Legislative Staffer Mac Gordon |
Mac's mother and sisters are okay now. The generator at the nursing home went out or something Tuesday but they got their power back on today.
We got power last night. So now jackson metro has only 75% of the people without power instead of 97%. I guess we got ours back on because our lines are all underground. I feel so guilty having power when so many people are suffering so badly.
There are hours long lines a the few stations that are open becaouse they have power and can pump gas.
Long long lines to get ice. We had to go to like 4 or 5 places yesterday afternoon before we found ice.
All the grocery stores out here have no meats, no frozen foods, no dairy products, etc., etc. We have plenty of food and can cook but it's hard to swallow as you sit and look at people who haven't eaten since Sunday.
This is Jackson. Can you imagine the coast? And New Orleans is just incomprehensible. I just had my first cry during all this. I think it just a little relief from shell shock. We are so lucky and so blessed.
About what to do with the money, I'm not sure. Either of those you mentioned would work I think. You could also call FEMA if you don't want to call Red Cross or Salvation Army. Mac has been going to work every morning, but they have no power except generator and that doesn't provide air. But they are getting so many calls they just stay as long as they can. Thanks for caring.
Love Mary Lee
| DATE/TIME: |
Thursday, September 1, 2005
11:43 a.m. |
| AUTHOR: |
Dana Reichert, Louisiana
Former NCSL Staffer |
NCSL Friends--
Thanks to the many of you who have emailed to find out about me and the situation in Louisiana. We came through the storm fine, we were with out power (no lights, phone, AC, etc) for 4 days and my own house sustained little to no damage. We just got back our power and phone, cell service
is sporadic. A tree fell on my neighbor's house during the storm, myself and a few others were outside in the hurricane trying to secure their roof to prevent it from being torn completely off. All of us feel terribly blessed that we faired so well.
We are about 50 miles from the New Orleans area where you are likely seeing pictures. The capital area (Baton Rouge and surrounding cities) did not suffer the damage you are seeing in New Orleans. However, the situation grows worse here for different reasons. Many folks evacuated from New Orleans before the storm--my neighbors and most everyone that I know has between 15-20 people staying in their house. Anyone that could get a ride came to Baton Rouge, whether they knew anyone or not. The grocery stores are out of food and gas stations are out of gas. Luckily, we had a gas powered BBQ grill that we used to cook on while the power was out and we had stocked up with water and ice to keep food cold. Today, I drove for half hour all around the city to find gas, there is none. They have moved many of the evacuated folks from New Orleans to the local coliseum where they are housing about 10,000 people, and of course local churches and other
shelters are bursting at the seams. There are people just walking on the highways with only the clothes on their back, they have no where to go, but nothing to go back to, they are everywhere. Locally, they need water, hygiene items, underwear and socks, diapers and baby formula. Others that left the city before the storm are running out of money to pay for hotels and food while they are gone. Stores and gas stations are being robbed here because people are desperate. The gas station down the street was held up and there have been car-jackings in neighborhoods nearby.
I've talked with friends who still work for state government and for Mayor Nagin who have said the situation in New Orleans is worse that what is being shown on TV. There are thousands who can't be rescued from their homes or attacks. I've heard stories of rescuers who literally had to choose which people to save and which to let go. There is no drinkable water in the city and with the heat, humidity and dead bodies in the water, everyone is very concerned about the public health risks. It is very, very, very bad. The city is totally destroyed...there are no houses for people to go to, no jobs for people to go back to, no schools, no doctors, no medical services, no place for inmates to be housed, etc. etc. on a superficial note, even those that do have resources--don't have a way to get to banks to get money, many of the ATM's and credit card machines are down, leaving us w/out access to cash. Even when people can return to the city--which I'm hearing will be in as little as 1 month and possibly as long as 3--the city wont be functional
> for a very long time. The economic impact is great. The state depends on the tax revenue generated by tourism from New Orleans--that is obviously eliminated, as there will be no conventions, football games, cruise ships. The port of New Orleans is also the countries busiest cargo port, which is now shut down. And of course all of the oil and gas production that occurs off of our coast has been eliminated. Some of the surrounding towns of New Orleans have also been totally destroyed.
When things die down, NCSL might want to do a story on Senator Cleo Fields (and I'm sure others) who is a Baton Rouge area legislator who got 3 big tour busses, went to the Superdome and personally evacuated anyone who could fit on the bus. It wasn't part of the organized state effort, he just did it on his own. Literally pulled up and open the bus door and said get in, lets go.
Some have asked what they can do to help. I don't really know, as I'm only now getting reconnected to the outside world. I just know that the needs here are very, very dire and we need everything. There is absolutely no way to mail anything in or out of New Orleans. But all of the humanitarian efforts are being coordinated from Baton Rouge. Here is what I know:
Cash donations are being encouraged through the Red Cross--1-800-HELP NOW, or http://store.yahoo.com/redcross-donate/. I'm told that donations to this fund go to a general disaster relief fund, but cant be guaranteed to go to Louisiana, although there is a good chance that something will end up here.
Other National Charities that have Louisiana-specific donation funds:
Chatholic Charities
http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/news/katrina.cfm
Christian Reformed World Relief
http://www.crwrc.org/?action=d7_article_viewer_view_article&Join_ID=94464
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
http://www.pcusa.org/pda/response/usa/hurricanekatrina-index.htm
Other lists can be accesses at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/31/AR2005083101758.html758.html
Those who want to donate to something that is in Louisiana:
Baton Rouge Area Foundation is coordinating relocation and humanitarian efforts for New Orleans folks. I know the director personally and he is top-notch. www.brac.org or 225 387-6126.
The Mayor is establishing a New Orleans fund, but I don't have the details yet. Also, the following is a list of local needs compiled by the local paper:
http://2theadvocate.com/livepages4/830.shtml, which includes some of the above, but also other types of needed assistance.
Thanks for remembering me. But please, please don't forget the people here. They have so little to begin with, now, they have less than nothing.
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