Aftermath Update 2: Misery and Desperation (Updated) [View all]

[Solly Mack]

Last edited Mon Aug 31, 2020, 08:15 PM - Edit history (3)

While I have some battery time.


1. Still no electricity. September 3rd timeline pushed back.

2. City was without water in some places and boil advisory in others. Water restored locally.

3. Some hard hit areas won't have water or electricity for months.

4. Can't boil water without the means to do so.

5. Almost nothing is open for business locally.

6. Mad rush for what is available. Limited supplies, thousands of people trying to get them.

7. Gouging is taking place.

8. Money, if you're fortunate, can't buy what isn't available. We're fortunate and can't get everything we need.

9. 5 hour lines for gas. Which runs out daily. First 36 hours no gas to be had.

10. Well known home improvement store finally opened with restricted hours. 3- 4 hour waits, with a lottery, to buy much needed items. Generators, propane (running low all over), grills, batteries, flashlights, solar lights.

11. Walmart is shuttered. Cardboard covers doors so people can't see inside. This was done after the hurricane. Biggest all in one store in parish closed.

12. One and only one other available to all grocery store is open. Limited hours and goods. Selling out quick.

13. Military Commissary not open. Keep saying they will but can't seem to pull it off.

14. PX closed indefinitely. Military shopping mall.

15. Gas is running out all over.

16. People angry, tired. It's getting ugly and desperate.

17. Forget Covid19 precautions. Few are following the state mandate right now.

18. Grills of all types gone in minutes. Fire pits, too. Fans and AC window units sold out.

19. Mail delayed. Shipping delayed. You can order but it's going to take weeks.

20. Parish has 1 civilian hospital. ONE. Lots of clinics but those lack power.

21. There is a military hospital but civilians can't use.

22. FEMA excluded my Parish from hotel vouchers for those without electricity. The elderly and sick needed those vouchers. I've seen the official list of aid. I know this for a fact.

23. The very few businesses that are open are running on generators.

24. Both the military and civilian hospitals are as well.

Water systems, a shitload of them, were destroyed or contaminated.

We were not the hardest hit. Though we do have millions in damage and a lot of problems. I feel so incredibly scared for those worse off. If a parish that took less damage can't get it together or get the help needed, how bad must it be for those who lost everything?

Weather: Sustained Heat advisory. Yesterday we hit 99. Before that, 102. 100, 101, 101. Today will be no better.

I've got coffee. Still miserable. Husband is working extended hours as an "essential" worker. I'm trying to keep the animals comfortable, as well as checking on friends who are disabled.

Got some time off today so one of us can stand in a line and hope our ticket is a winner. We need essential items, enough to share with our friends who can't stand in line.

Some kindness of strangers is taking place. Some. But people are being mean, rude, selfish, angry, greedy, impatient and all around assholes.

I can't stay online long. I'm rationing my battery charges.

Again, Thanks for listening.


EDIT to Update again.

Husband left work at 5 AM to go stand in lines. Just got home.

1. Walmart opened at 10 AM today. Limited hours. Limits on certain items.

2. National Guard is now in control of gas stations in the Parish. They control the lines. They control how many get in, etc..

3. We got a winning "lottery" number and bought a generator. Could have bought a grill but had one we lucked into the other day. We sold our old one last year and was meaning to replace it. Oh, well. Live and learn the hard way.

4. Catch: no drop cords, no charcoal, no propane. Long gas lines. He's going out again to look for drop cords and to stand in line for gas.

5. A couple of auto repair shops are up and running.

As for donations. Give to the Red Cross and direct the donation for Hurricane Laura relief.

We have given locally to a couple of places sheltering people and feeding them. We gave cash and goods. Shared our pantry because some things are hard to find. Money can't buy what isn't there.

Regards FEMA: Today our Parish was added for hotel vouchers and other assistance. Thankfully.

Got the updated updates once husband got home. He stopped off by his office on the way home and got the FEMA update.

Emergency shelter for pets went into place for displaced people.

Thank you to everyone!

PS

Took my husband's phone. Mine died. Once generator is set up I can keep my phone charged easier.

NEW EDIT

Thank you all for your kind words and helpful info and suggestions. Great bunch of people are DUers.

Love you all!

Battery dying again. Took it off charge too soon. Wanted to check in and let y'all know you lifted my spirits greatly.