Date: Thu, 01 Sep 2005 00:08:51 -0500
From: Ken Treybig
Information is slowly trickling in. We heard about two families in the Covington/Mandeville area (Northshore area) who are fine after riding out the storm at home. Neither home had flooding, but one has some damage from two trees. I have no idea of the extent. I heard of another member from Covington that had evacuated and now returned home with some trees down but no damage or flooding to their house.
I've also had confirmation of other members evacuating from the Mississippi Gulf Coast--and one family that was told their house was still there. (They were assuming it was washed away with the huge storm surge that went through that area.)
We still haven't heard about a few families...
Dr. Avent (elder in Baton Rouge) regained electricity the night after Katrina went through and is slowing getting word from various members in the area. He is wanting to hold services in his home this Sabbath for any members that are still in the area or that may have come back to the area. He told me again tonight on the phone that it's too early to know exactly what is needed--but that he'll let us know what can be done when they know.
On WWL tonight (main AM talk radio station in the New Orleans area) the governor, mayors and all kinds of officials were talking about all the help that is being organized and how schools in other states such as Texas, Arkansas, Alabama, etc. will be allowing displaced children to enroll immediately. I heard from one member in Houston (who is a teacher) that Houston schools also automatically enroll displaced students in the free breakfast and lunch program--something that I'm sure will be of help to those forced out of their homes by Katrina.
A friend of ours in the community in Slidell (who evacuated to a safe spot) said she learned today that she was able to enroll for unemployment due to the disaster, that Red Cross is giving out housing vouchers and paying for prescription medications, so I forwarded that information to Rick Avent and Andy Burnett.
That's all I know for now. Will update you more as I know more.
--KT