HURRICANE KATRINA
Friday, September 30, 2005.
New
Orleans residents got to go home for the first time today in many
areas. The things they are finding are pretty terrible.
For me, today was a work day. It is also Friday, and that means the weekend. How strange that seems... Everything just sort of blends in together. Days upon days upon days.
I managed to get a lot accomplished. After work, I copied some documents, got my receipts together and got some things ready for the adjuster. Then I went to Office Depot to buy cartridges for the printer, then I went to the bank (and waited in line awhile), and then I went to the post office and was actually able to transact business. The post office is running out of post office boxes. People are renting them out like crazy. Mail delivery has started again, but we're getting older stuff, and everything that was held from the storm is supposed to get here eventually. Nobody is exactly sure when...
In some ways, life is very normal around here. In other ways, it isn't. I had to wait 30 minutes in the bank line, and I never have to stand in line at the bank. At the post office, on the other hand, where I always stand in line, I got right up to the counter and out in two minutes. Go figure.
The phones aren't working very much again. The cell phones are clogged, and I suspect that has something to do with all the folks coming back to Orleans today to look at their homes. My line at the house is dysfunctional as well. Totally out.
***
I talked to Eric today. He survived. He went to Houston like we did, but since he doesn't have a cell phone, I couldn't call him. He recalls that while he was evacuating, he said, "If I'm going through all this trouble, New Orleans better be destroyed!"
Oops.
I'm starting to hear more and more from people I don't get to talk to very often. It seems like almost everyone has done well. A few deaths, and lots of destruction here and there being the exception.
***
Here are the pictures of the day. These are all from Plaquemine's Parish.
A small fishing boat in the water near a drawbridge.
Ship on the Levee near Our Lady of Good Harbor Church - Buras
Buras Water Tower Collapsed on top of District 8 Council Building - Buras
Menhaden Boats on Hwy 23 at the foot of the Empire High Rise Bridge.
Floating coffin. Who said you couldn't go on a cruise after you were dead?
Hmm... That's probably disrespectful. Sorry for that.
