OT:where is the fairness in THIS???

Okay, I have been patiently waiting to hear anything about our home in Ocean Springs, MS. I have talked to neighbors who evacuated and who were okay but all were out of town strictly in text messages. Tonight I got a text message from ONE who had gone to Pensacola and she told me that the fence is gone and my house lost most of its shingles but other than some rain damage, my house is probably okay, no other damage at all, all windows, doors are there, no holes in walls, etc. BUT GUYS... GET THIS : As they were leaving to return to Pensacola to get gasoline, a generator and water and ice, the local PD as well as the base police came by , getting a head count on the buildings( the housing complex has 28 units that have already been assigned to families, as well as 80 more that were about to be opened to the military families of the area ). They didn't think much of it, but my neighbor asked, why they were counting, and this is what they were told: POSSIBLY AS EARLY AS TOMORROW , THEY ARE GOING TO START MOVING IN SOME OF THOSE REFUGEES FROM LA and MS . THIS APPLIES TO ALL OF THE HOMES , NO MATTER IF THE PERSON WHO LIVES THERE IS HOME OR NOT. ANY HOMES WHOSE RESIDENTS AREN'T THERE WILL GET OPENED AS A SHELTER TO THOSE WHO NEED A ROOF !! Forgive me, but I am red hot now. I evacuated to bring my family to safety. I LISTENED to the officials who said " EVACUATE!!!! " When I called the state police, they tell me DO NOT RETURN. So I get to sit here, and wait, am not allowed to return, while some complete strangers get to use my house, everything that is in it, my private property?? Maybe I am a little grim right now, but is it not enough that we had to leave without knowing when we can come home? I may not have a job?? I don't know how to pay the next set of bills. My daughter and I have virtually nothing with us. We packed one bag, took the dog and the one bag of clothes, a cooler with some drinks and sandwiches and the most important paperworks, and we left at 4 am in the morning Sunday when it was urged to please leave !!!!!All this while my husband is on deployment. Where is the fairness? When I am allowed to return, where am I going to live? I obviously can't go to my house that will be occupied by complete strangers????? I will lose my job in the end if I dont have a place to go? Who's going to pay MY bills?????? Is it right that they can just put me out of my home because I decided to follow the directions I have been given??? I'm living with my relatives, our BAH ( housing allowance ) is going directly to the military housing now, so this house we were assigned to, is being used by someone other than me, should I not get my own housing paid? Ok.. I said my piece. No flaming needed. If you want to flame me. go ahead, I really don't care at this point. Just tell me.. where is the fairness ?????? Just put yourself in my shoes. How would YOU like to come back and someone was told by the police " here, you can use this house, no one's there" ???? Anyone who knows me, knows I would freely open my home to someone in need. However, without my permission? Without my being there? And yes.. IT IS LEGAL!! Tonight, sign me "alive but very very bitter"

Andie, How far are you from any kind of military base? If at all possible get to one or call one for the legal services and see what your rights are and also if this is true.I cannot believe they would do this.But then I never would have believed some one would think the superdome was a safe place to house refugees.I never would have believed that there would be this widespread destruction, even after Ivan. I would be bitter too if I evacuated and then they placed some one in my home. Just thinking of someone going through my belongings makes my blood boil . You are being punished for doing the right thing. This includes Rhonda also doesn't it. This is very high handed but I imagine they are desperate, you've seen the pictures. Having said that, let me say this. Part of your bitterness is anxiety brought about by the storm. You've been through hell and back, you're separated from your husband. You are in a different place with little to no news about your home. Andie I don't know if you're with family or not,but if at all possible go stay with family or friends. You need that support. There is no reason to stay close to Biloxi(except of course your husband). You are not going to be able to go home any time soon.Your husband is going to be busier that a long tailed cat in a room of rocking chairs. You and Rhonda both are showing signs of post traumatic stress syndrome, as I imagine thousands of others are. Who could not in this disaster!!!!!!!!! Go to friends or family, it will help you and your child who must miss Daddy and sees Momma upset and livid. When I finish this I am going to get ahold of my congressman and senator and lodge a complaint. I'll make me feel better. Is there anyone from your or your husbands home state you can protest to. It may be legal under Marshall Law but that doesn't make it right. I care about you and your child and want you safe. If I had space(we live in a dinky apartment) you could come here.I am told that the apartment complex here has opened empty apartments to the military displaced and they've all been taken. The Civic center downtown Pensacola is full and several schools are being used as shelters including the #1 grandgirl's high school. So it'll be awhile before school reopens. Please don't feel that I am critizing or saying you're grazy, I'm not. I am trying to talk straight, and help friends who are under a huge stress. Somebody did it for me after Ivan, and even though I didn't appreciate it much then, I later realized she was right. You are all in my prayers daily. Tomanip

I am not flaming you because unless I was in your shoes, I would never pretend to know how you feel. I do know that you will be alright, no matter what happens. You have your daughter and you have your health and you know where your husband is. Everything else is replacable. Please don't think I am making less of your situation, but I am asking you to not get caught up in the negativity. We all have to make sacrifices and we will be better by making those. You are on our prayer list and we will continue to pray for you and your situation. We have no electricity no water and everything is pretty well torn up here in central MS, but things wil be all right eventually. Best of luck and wishes n your journey.

I WOULD BE COMPLETELY FURIOUS TOO!! THAT IS YOUR PRIVATE HOME... I UNDERSTAND PEOPLE NEED A PLACE TO STAY, BUT MY GOSH, HOW DO YOU KNOW THE PEOPLE LIVING THERE WON'T STEAL FROM YOU OR DESTROY YOUR HOME THE REST OF THE WAY. I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST CONTACTED THE HOME OWNERS IF POSSIBLE, AND ASKED THEIR PERMISSION, ITS NOT YOUR FAULT THAT SOME PEOPLE DIDN'T EVACUATE!! I UNDERSTAND SOME PEOPLE WERE NOT PHYSICALLY ABLE TO, BUT JEEZ! THAT'S UNBELIEVABLE!! AND ITS LEGAL?? THAT'S CRAZY! I DON'T MEAN TO SOUND INSENSITIVE TO OTHER PEOPLE, BUT I WOULDN'T WANT COMPLETE STRANGERS IN MY HOME EITHER! I WOULD POSSIBLY ACCOMIDATE SOME IF I WERE ASKED..BUT YOU'VE GOT TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR OWN FAMILY FIRST, THEN HELP OTHERS. I'M FANNING THE FLAMES FOR YOU SISTER!

Hey Billy. dont worry I am not taking this as a flaming. I understand there are many many folks out there that are way less fortunate, but that doesn't mean they can just go into MY house and do what they want. I took precautions, I left. It is not my fault that their homes are gone and I was fully prepared to come back to NOTHING. I just find it inappropriate if they move someone in without my even knowing. I am yet to see what happens, calls to the Atty General, Governor and several military installations got me nowhere, I got the same answer, " we dont know". I am going home Sunday to live in my miserable no power no water home because I have to get back to work. I still have a job and I will return so I can earn a living, I have not been able to get any financial help anywhere , and my funds are inaccessible, both my husband and I get our direct deposit with Keesler Fed Credit union and you can't get anything out of the ATMS anywhere as their system is down. I know I shouldnt complain, at least I have my family , I am safe. But the fact that a huge bank like Keesler doesnt have a backup through a sister-bank, now that means all those people who evacuated dont have a PENNY of money because they cant get to it. I was patiently awaiting this Friday to get to a bank to get money. I am stunned. I am out of money, I have two sets of clothes for me and my child. I am lucky to live with relatives who are feeding me and I have enrolled my kid in school here. She will stay indefinitely till the power is back on and things are established again in Mississippi. As I already said, I have no choice but to return and get back to work, or I will be in financial disaster as well. Y'all take care. I'm going home to Ocean Springs Sunday with a truck load of bottled water and dry foods. I'll try to let you guys know updates. Love u guys. Be Safe !! ~Andie~

hey andie, i have an account at columbus air force base credit union, and their system is down also, but they have been doing 'manual' transactions. I don't know if CAFB credit union, and KAFB credit union are the same thing, but they do have a backup computer here, it's just slow because its dial up. I was just wondering if since they are both AFB credit unions if they could help you. Its worth asking. Columbus would be a long way from Pensacola, but to get your money it would be worth it. crystal

Nope, not right at all!!! I'd be throwin' me one big ol hissy fit for sure! I understand people are in need, but by God, get permission! I know you would allow whatever you could to help someone out. Just the thought of my private stuff - banking info, etc - being free access to some complete stranger? NOPE! And if you do "lose" something in that situation - does insurance or military pay for it? Are they going to insure your personal belongings? Are they going to go in and take inventory before they let these people in? I mean - COME ON! Blood's boiling now - so I'll stop. Praying this doesn't happen. Keep us posted! HUGS Kimberly

Dear Andie.... I am so sorry to hear about this. I find it unbelievable that it is even considered because of the possibilities of tort claims against the government agencies who put people into evacuated households. But it is good to know your house is still standing. You will get back, you will fix this and you will rebuild your good life--I just know it! My husband was just detailed to Gulfport and will be mostly working around Ocean Springs since he is leader of a National Park Service Emergency Team called in to both assess damage to the National Seashore ( I understand only a shed in the maintenance yard is left) and to assist the agencies on the ground with security. And I can tell you that when Jim Cahill sets out to secure an area......it stays secure. You can take that to the bank. I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, Holly Cahill now a loser of 17 pounds in 6 days!!!