Criton

It's now been more than 24 hours since Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast with devastating consequences. I've been trying to track down several dozen people in both New Orleans and Mobile with little success. I have been lucky enough to get through to some towboat captains operating on the lower Mississippi and the news from them is not good. Infrastructure in New Orleans is pretty much gone. Emergency vehicles are running out of fuel and what little is being delivered can only supply a fraction of what is needed. Fortunately, a large portion of the population in the area evacuated, but they probably will not be able to go back for weeks. No electricity, no refrigeration, limited potable water, no fuel, limited food stockpiles. This country came together unlike anything we've ever seen since WWII during 9/11. The situation on the Gulf Coast is just as bad, if not worse, for the consequences will be much more far-reaching, and the needs of the survivors will be enormous. I encourage everybody here on the forums to be extremely generous in giving to charities and relief agencies working in the area. And for those who believe, please keep the victims of this storm in your prayers.