Its been a week since Isaac slowly roared through Lousiana/Mississippi
and is still wrecking havoc in the mid section of the country. (Good for the drought striken areas, if there
is an upside to any of this)
My friends in NOLA made it through and got their electricity back finally today - the 2nd of September.
Food was delivered to them, but frankly, they ran out of food and water - and they ARE people who
prepare.
There are still many who are without electricity outside of the NOLA area.
I did hear of some complaints from various people in the NOLA area, that the worst they did suffer was
lack of electricity- no A/C and running out of their food supply. They did have help in the form of
several organizations bringing food to neighborhoods, etc. Cant have enough peanut butter and jelly. Or water.
If you think you have too much, buy more and store.
30 hours of straight rain and winds. I hope those with disabilities that depend on
electricity had generators or went to shelters. I have heard only a smattering of complaints that
certain shelters were not accessible, but overall the news was good on that front.
There is one organization I am very familiar with that is already helping "special needs" shelters in MS.
And reaching out to individuals with disabilities around the MS area.
And FEMA is actually showing up ON TIME when they say they will. Dayum....
Now, if you've been keeping up with the evacuations - they are still ongoing.
People still being put on busses to shelter and when the water recedes, electricity turned back on
and the "all clear" is sounded, they will come back. Anxious moments.
Its a distruption and the thought of not knowing if you will even have a home to come
too is foremost on everyone's mind. But their lives are saved.
Over and over again I heard "I didn't know it was gonna be this bad"
You don't. Rivers overflow and dams threaten to break... Every hurricane brings its own personality. Because you or your Uncle Bubba survived hurricane X
doesn't mean you can withstand hurricane Y. Nature doesn't run that way. But you should. Especially if you
live under the sea. Two blocks from Sponge Bob and your area will flood. NHC warned everyone 'THIS WILL BE A RAIN
MAKER" They nailed it when they said 20 inches of rain or more. Kudos.
For those that are alllowed back in their homes, or sheltered and place and still flooded, the clean up
process will take a while.
Make sure to take it easy on yourself. If you feel overwhelmed, talk to someone.
Remember if you have kids, they need your time also and need to process this disruption!
Make sure you have lots of mosquito repellent - and first aid kit available
There is a list I believe on the first page of this blog on what you need for after the storm.
However here is some EMOTIONAL ADVICE to get you through.
Minimize this emotional and traumatic experience by being prepared, not scared and therefore you and your family will stay in control and survive a major hurricane.
SIGNS OF HURRICANE RELATED STRESS:
* Difficulty communicating thoughts.
* Difficulty sleeping.
* Difficulty maintaining balance in their lives.
* Low threshold of frustration.
* Increased use of drugs/alcohol.
* Limited attention span.
* Poor work performance.
* Headaches/stomach problems.
* Tunnel vision/muffled hearing.
* Colds or flu-like symptoms.
* Disorientation or confusion.
* Difficulty concentrating.
* Reluctance to leave home.
* Depression, sadness.
* Feelings of hopelessness.
* Mood-swings and easy bouts of crying.
* Overwhelming guilt and self-doubt.
* Fear of crowds, strangers, or being alone.
EASING HURRICANE RELATED STRESS:
* Talk with someone about your feelings - anger, sorrow, and other emotions - even though it may be difficult.
* Seek help from professional counselors who deal with post-disaster stress.
* Do not hold yourself responsible for the disastrous event or be frustrated because you feel you cannot help directly in the rescue work.
* Take steps to promote your own physical and emotional healing by healthy eating, rest, exercise, relaxation, and meditation.
* Maintain a normal family and daily routine, limiting demanding responsibilities on yourself and your family.
* Spend time with family and friends.
* Participate in memorials.
* Use existing support groups of family, friends, and religious institutions.
* Ensure you are ready for future events by restocking your disaster supplies kits and updating your family disaster plans.
I hope this helps. You WILL get through this.
"Because you're disabled, you don't have to be a victim" ™