Repost: ****New Orleans & Katrina****

Well folks I wanted to post to let you know that for now I am ok... very very shaken up... but my entire family lived through the horrendous storm. The "county" I live in (called Parishes here) has declared martial law and no one, not even nurses and media are being allowed in. I tried to report to work (many miles "inland" from the edge of what we now call Lake New Orleans) and I could not get there. For now we are crowding 7 adults and 3 children in a two bedroom trailer just outside Baton Rouge, LA (about 80 miles from my home). Cell phones, electricity, and water are all down in New Orleans, the waters are about 8 feet deep (in general). My husband's car is completely under water. Imagine my shock when I arrived in Houston I realized that I packed well (food, water, clothes, toys) for everyone except myself!!! I have one swimsuit and one pair of jeans, and somehow got distracted... so I have only that and the clothes on my back... For the last 24 hours, I have been unable to get information on my area, so I drove home only to be turned away about 25 miles before my home. I decided to move my children to my mother's home for now... Today I saw the helicopter videos... it is a huge "Lake New Orleans", spotted by rooftops on fire... it is so emotional and devastating that it's difficult to express... the townhouse we rented is under many feet of water... the canal on the next block has spilled over and resulted in hugely increased water levels. In some areas they are pulling people off rooftops... in other areas they are pulling out bodies of those who drowned in their home and were unable to get through the roof when the water got too high. At least two have died INSIDE the "final resort emergency shelter" aka the Superdome. Our levee system failed in three areas of the city, and several pumps have failed. Main line access for the water supply has been broken and contaminated... Those who live in the flooded areas are currently sitting in hotel rooms and with families and on the sides of the roadways waiting to be allowed to return home. Because of the dramatic exodus (news reports >85% of residents were able to evacuate) gasoline is very rare... I am only able to post sporadically, so please don't think I'm ignoring you... but 7 adults and 2 computers makes for VERY limited time online Please keep me us from Louisiana in your prayers. We are coping as much as possible... this great catastrophe has wiped out the homes, finances, and families of our area... According to police it could be weeks to months until we can return to our homes. I have emailed my cell number (as sporadic as functioning is) to Celtic Rose and to my local OH chapter mates... in case you need to contact me. Thank you all so much for thinking of us in Louisiana

Glad you are safe Kat. I just talked to Kelli Jo a bit ago she is in Arkansas for now. She is talking about heading to Florida, I am just not sure she will be able to find gas for awhile. My brother is trying to get to Texas now and there is no gas available. I am so sorry for what has happened. My heart goes out to all that have lost there homes. This is very devastating. I pray for everyone to just be safe where ever they are.My PCP has recommended me to find a new surgeon, Due to Slidell being under water. I am not sure what to do. God Bless you and yours Kat. Please keep in touch as often as possible.

Thanks so much, Good luck on getting a new surgeon, I have to wait for the water to go down for me to get to mine.

My prayers are with you all. I'm sitting here safe and dry in Washington DC watching the news and just felt compelled to come over to your board and let you all know that you are in my prayers. Jody

Thanks so much, your support means a lot to us!

Hi Kat, Please email so I can send you my cell phone. I'm in Baton Rouge and our babies are near the same age. I already consider you a close friend and I would love to extend some hospitality while you are so near. You and your family have been in my thoughts and prayers for days. All my best, Frances