cobaltgreen ([info]cobaltgreen) wrote,
@ 2005-08-30 12:57:00
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The situation worsens..
the devastation is greater than our worst fears. It's just totally overwhelming. — Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco

Early this morning a football-field sized hole gave way in the levee and 80% of the city is now under water. Lake Pontchartrain literally spilled across the city and the water is rising as I type.



Our station's anchor just gave a report on CNN... she said tensions are high in the Superdome shelter and one man jumped off the ledge to his death. It's only Day Two in the shelter with many more days to go. Can you imagine what it will be like on Day 5 in the shelter?!

Toilets arent working. The water supply for the entire city is contaminated. All power lines are down and must be rebuilt from scratch. The gigantic twin bridges going into the city are broken into a dozen pieces. There is a high risk brewing for disease lurking in the floodwater.

Looters are running rampant, hundreds of people caught on tape scurrying like rats to fill shopping carts with anything they can find in businesses and homes. That's right - in homes. I have no problem with looting food, diapers - things you need when youre in dire straights - but people are also stealing stereos, TVs and other items.

Marshall Law is in effect. I worry my friend Al and my roommate (both alone) will be attacked by looters. Also I worry about [info]greenstripe's landlord who lives by the levee and stayed.

The forecast indicates temperatures will rise tomorrow with a heat index topping 100 degrees. Crime always goes up with the heat in the city. Just imagine what will happen given the current circumstances.

New Orleans will never recover from this devastation.

It's times like this when you make realize what belongings you really cherish. I'm hoping my footage tapes of the recent interviews for The Documentary can be recovered... they are some of the last recordings of the New Orleans I love. The New Orleans that will never again exist.

Please CLICK HERE to donate to the Red Cross - even $5 will help

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[info]elysiangirl
2005-08-30 06:43 pm UTC (link)
i love you guys.
if there is anything i can do, please call on me.
my heart is with you.

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[info]cobaltgreen
2005-08-30 07:02 pm UTC (link)
thanks heather.

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[info]bluesiren
2005-08-30 06:55 pm UTC (link)
you'd be suprised how a city can rally in times of great devastation- i felt the same about my beloved nyc after 9/11...
my thoughts are with you.

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[info]cobaltgreen
2005-08-30 07:04 pm UTC (link)
you guys certainly pulled thru.
thank you for your well wishes

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[info]loveanddarkness
2005-08-30 10:34 pm UTC (link)
I'm guessing that people who have lived through disaster and horrors like 9/11, other hurricanes, etc. know what it's like to be on the other side of generous help, and they will open their hearts and hands to you down in New Orleans.

I'm going to see if we can get a neighborhood garage sale together for the Red Cross.

Take care.

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[info]cobaltgreen
2005-08-31 12:06 am UTC (link)
that's awesome. thank you

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[info]icefacade
2005-08-30 06:57 pm UTC (link)
my heart hurts for everyone - god bless

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[info]wolffepsyche
2005-08-30 07:12 pm UTC (link)
I'm so worried about you guys and your stuff. I'm so happy you were able to get the cats out and that at least you are safe. I'm worried about your mental health too. I can't even imagine what you're going through.

let me know if I can do anything. I would have loved to tape stuff for you, but my VCR is broken. :(

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[info]cobaltgreen
2005-08-30 07:45 pm UTC (link)
mental health... it's mind boggling. i do well in situations like this. quickly making plan A, plan B, plan C. Quickly wanting to report information to anyone interested.

but underneath it all there is great sorrow like ive never felt. at the same time, it's all so surreal and while some of the footage really devastates me, i completely disconnect from other shots. too surreal to understand it's my home city

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[info]murielmuriel
2005-08-30 07:18 pm UTC (link)
can i call you tonight?

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[info]cobaltgreen
2005-08-30 07:40 pm UTC (link)
of course :) id love to talk to you

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[info]murielmuriel
2005-08-31 02:08 am UTC (link)
i tried to call your cell phone and of course it's out. :(

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[info]armyofchuckness
2005-08-30 09:21 pm UTC (link)
Is there any chance your home/equipment made it out okay? I'm sure you had your most valuable stuff with you, but whenever disasters like this happen, I immediately fear for lost footage. It's one of those things that you absolutely just can't replace.

My thoughts and hopes are with your friends that are still in the city.

I don't know what else I can do, so I'm going to give my small contribution to the Red Cross and let that be that.

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[info]cobaltgreen
2005-08-30 09:33 pm UTC (link)
doing that is quite a lot. thank you.

I have my video camera which is the most valuable thing I own. The items I worry about are:
1. my computer/editor (b/c all my digital photos are on it)
2. the footage shot in new orleans the few weeks leading up to this b/c it was so beautiful, moving and representative of how special a place the city was
3. family Photographs and heirloom stuff.

That said... I was one of the very, very lucky ones. My neighborhood didnt flood. It's in the 20% of the city that is dry. I only have to worry about looters. I have nothing to complain about WHATSOEVER compared to most everyone. Really and truly.

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[info]armyofchuckness
2005-08-30 09:43 pm UTC (link)
Thank God. How soon do you think you'll be able to get back in there to at least grab the most important stuff, or is it impossible to say at this point?

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[info]cobaltgreen
2005-08-31 12:11 am UTC (link)
maybe in a month? hard to say...

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[info]armyofchuckness
2005-08-31 12:22 am UTC (link)
Wow. Just wow.

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[info]turi
2005-08-30 10:23 pm UTC (link)
that is so horrible.
i dont know you well yet, but glad you are ok :)

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[info]cobaltgreen
2005-08-31 12:06 am UTC (link)
thank you

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[info]spintorn
2005-08-30 11:10 pm UTC (link)
I donated to the link above
I also sent an email highlighted that link and your comments to everyone I know here in Houston trying to get other donations

Tonya and I are planning to drive down in 2 weeks to help clean up and delivery supplies - you'll let us know what you need ok?

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[info]cobaltgreen
2005-08-31 12:07 am UTC (link)
that's awesome. and thanks for spreading the link

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[info]spintorn
2005-08-31 05:02 am UTC (link)
you got it...and let me know if there's anything else I can do. I hate sitting back and not being able to *DO* anything....! :(

when do you guys leave for the cruise? or are you still planning to go?

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[info]naruvonwilkins
2005-08-30 11:38 pm UTC (link)
I hate to have to keep saying this - but really, anything less than $15 is swallowed up by fees and infrastructure. If you donate less than that, try to do it in cash at a donation center, or pool with a friend.

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[info]cobaltgreen
2005-08-31 12:07 am UTC (link)
good to know. thank you for the update

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[info]purejuice
2005-08-31 12:51 am UTC (link)
thinking of you.

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[info]cobaltgreen
2005-08-31 12:56 am UTC (link)
thank you :)

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[info]igorxa
2005-08-31 03:40 pm UTC (link)
i'll be donating. let me know if there's anything else i can do.

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[info]cobaltgreen
2005-08-31 05:02 pm UTC (link)
thanks so much joey

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