Road trip to Mississippi - Katrina

Whiskey · Sep 10, 2005

Anyone out there from Florida area or surounding states that can load up a tractor and chain saws or gloves and a strong back that would like to make a T.B.N showing in the Mississippi area to help these folks out by clearing out homes and property?

The wife droped the bomb on me at breakfast this morning and wants to take a road trip up from central Fla. and help, we're tryin' to get the tractor, generater, chain saws etc. and head up for a 4-5 days. this is not a money making trip it's a helpin' hand trip.

As were planning this it's starting to look more like a campin' trip....no showers, tent sleepin' and bad B.O. & hair days.

I've never been to Mississippi and I'm not getting a lot of info on the news stations of where I could be the most help other then drive up and drop off the interstate and pop in on a neighborhood and get to it...and info would help?

PS: We're thinking of leavin' Friday (16th.) or Saturday (17th.) morning next week

Glenn9643 · Sep 10, 2005

I would think you could find something to do anywhere between the gulf and the Hattiesburg/Laurel area from what I've been able to determine. Where you would be most beneficial is another matter.
Don't know if you're familiar with "lovebugs" but they are swarming now. I just returned from central MS and they're bad as far north as Jackson, blown in from the coastal area by the storm I guess. If you're not familiar with them, they won't hurt you but are a terrible nuisance when swarming.

Whiskey · Sep 10, 2005

Glenn:

Thanks for the responce. Yep I know about lovebugs make a mess of your windsheild and will peel the paint off your car if not removed...and they don't tast good when in your mouth /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

anywho...the wife has been on line most of the morning and it's lookin' like Jackson or Harrison counties maybe north side of I-10 or maybe between I-10 and 90

MikeIA · Sep 14, 2005

Just want to bring up one item you might not have thought of...How's your insurance coverage?

Best of luck, wish I could come along.
Mike

mikim · Sep 14, 2005

I've had those thoughts too .... BUT ... my big obstacle would be security & supplies. How will you be able to secure your equipment while there? Where will you be able to get fuel? Once fuel is gotten how will you secure the can? What about authorization? Some places are not allowing even the home owners access just yet. Maybe you could offer your services to an organization that would help you with all that and a location. I'd most certainly ensure a place to stay - even if it's a camping spot - cause they may all be maxed out.

meledward23 · Sep 14, 2005

I have been thinking about this as well. I even want to join you. But I am a slave to my job. I might be able to leave out Friday night work a sat and sun and get back for work monday.....

As far as problems. I had a fgriend load up his truck and trailer last Tuesday (nine days ago) with 600 lbs dog food, 73 cases of water, and misc food items, toilet paper etc, and of course his own gas supply.

He went to gulf port. This is his report.

Everything between the railroad tracks and the ocean is gone. The National Guard /ARmy wehre the only people I saw (8 days after). The had road blocks up but let me go whereever I wanted. It reeked, you could smell things rotting. People just stumbled around, or sat in the front yard to a gutted house and starred. Half the time they didnt respond till I talked to them three or four times. Many needed the food and water, some were okay and said no thanks. The Dog Food was a hit, it seemed like everyone wanted the dog food.

I never felt threatend. (this guy weighs 120lbs hes not a macho, macho, but he does carry, but said he did not take it with him). The only time a felt vunerable is when it came time to fill my truck. I drove up a Humvee with some guard in it "I am going to fill up, so I am parking next to you so I dont get robbed" and the guards response "Fine."

That is most of what was reported.

Incidentally my Brother in Law nad his wife just went down to gulfport on Tuesday and will be coming back on Thursday. I could give you an update from them. They are both ministers, as is the Mother of the Wife. In fact that Eldest Female Minister (hope you are following this part) is a minister in Gulfport and the church is still standing. I could probalby get a cell phone number for her or the church, and you could probalby find a spot to park in it's parking lot, and I am sure that the church has its own efforts that you could pitch in with. PM me if interest in having me help work this out...

AL_Josh · Sep 14, 2005

I live in Mobile, Alabama. I was born in south Mobile county.You could probly do some work in the southern part of the county. They have not recieved nearly the amount of press but they have recieved alot of damage. I worked this past weekend in Bayou La Batre pulling shrimp boats off ground. That area was hit pretty hard. I know there are many homes destroyed and others in need of cleanup in the comunity. I will post some pics of the boats down there. Also it is pretty secure place and gas stations and power are up in surrounding areas.

I have relatives in Picayune, Miss. They were hit hard too. It is located on the Miss/ Louis State line.

Anywhere you go I am sure your help will be greatly appreciated(sp).

Whiskey · Sep 15, 2005

Folks thanks for the ideas....

But we finnely got ahold of a real person from FEMA and they shot us down...said not to come at this point and time. They were not ready for that kind of help now....

We will find other ways to help with cash donations...

Thanks again

chucko · Sep 15, 2005

I find it strange that they (FEMA) will not take 10k of free work but stuck their hand out for some cash. FEMA seems to be a mess now. I bet if you called the Salvation Army (of other group) they would jump right on the offer. New O. may not be ready for that kind of help but lots of places and people are. Gota start somewhere. Talk to some church groups

dmccarty · Sep 15, 2005

Whiskey,

I can't believe I'm going to say this but s...w what FEMA said. I went to eastern NC twice to help out after Floyd. From what I saw FEMA throws around money, provides housing and such. These are good things. BUT, what everyone needs down there who has been hit but the storm, is someone to help clean up. FEMA will provide money to get contractors to haul off trees and such from the road. The problem is getting it the road. After Fran hit NC we had litterally mountains of chipped trees. FEMA paid to haul and chipped but you sitll had to get the stuff to the road...

Then there are the houses. People need what is in the houses out to the curb for FEMA to pick up. We helped three families down east do this. Some had done almost all of the work and one had done nothing to start. Getting this work done was important. Its the first step to recovery. Once the junk is out of the house the crews can come back and rip the walls/floor down to structure, let it drive and rebuild.

This work I saw being done by us, Babtists and Mnenites(sp). Gov'ment was nowhere in sight.....

The people are in a state of shock. I saw it. At first I was ticked off that the young man we helped out had done nothing but when I realized what had happened to him and what he had lost I saw the light. This poor guy had just put on a new roof. It survived the storm. But the storm destroyed his house from the bottom up. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif He had a brand new couch we had to chop into pieces to get outside. It had swollen up with the water.

All the people we saw where in a state of shcok. If you can go down there and help out just one family it makes a difference. It really will. I wish I could get away to help but work and a bad back make it impossible.... /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Later,
Dan