Hi, guys and gals. We are safe and sound in east central Louisiana, in a VERY small town named Saint Joseph (North of Natchez, Miss.). I used to live a mile and a half from Lake Pontchartrain, and two miles from the break in the levee. I don't expect the house will be salvageable, but I managed to save the 2 family cars, almost all of my rolling stock, and Dee Rayle - she didn't want to leave until her tree house blew away. Fortunately, the house was covered by flood insurance and wind damage. Well, the local library will be closing soon, so I'll shut up for now. I'll try to get back online tomorrow.
Kiz - Glad to hear that you are ok and that you managed to get out in time. Stay safe and hopefully some more good news will start coming from New Orleans as they all could use it. Brian
Well it's good to hear you're doing ok Kisatchie. Keep us all posted on how things turn out with your house. You were smart to leave when you could.
I'm back again. I'm working on organizing a "Hurricane Sale" of my rolling stock almost 3000 cars (yep, thousand). It'll be a while until I can list all of it. I want to thank everyone again for your thoughts and prayers. From the pictures I've seen, I don't know how New Orleans will ever recover. Vincent
Just made a donation to the American Red Cross A very good friend of mine have been there years ago ("bayou somethin'", sorry don't remember the name) and he was looked after by his host like the newer "home baby" Actually, he dropped his then fiancee there (she left after 1 week, he stayed 3 <LOL>) Since he return with his wife and everything was OK... Great people, need some help...now that's done Cheers, Marc France P.S: New Orleans was founded by french, and I don't want this town to sunk like the rest of France <LOL>
Hey Kiz, Now,may be the time to immurse yourself into the hobby more than ever. I know since 2002,this hobby has kept me sane. My divorce,my accident, & my illness. Without this hobby,this forum & the others,my friends, I would've went nuts.
Vincent I am glad you are safe. I can't imagine what it must be like to see ones home destroyed. The good thing is you are out of harms way, and will be alive to tell the stories of the storm. I'll pray for your strength as you approach the challenges that lay ahead. Model Railroader is looking for an editor you know <smile>. A long way away from hurricanes and the like.
I have been helping out where I can. Not only with donations but volunteering time. Texas has become temporary home to so many of the New Orleans folks. All the local food banks and used clothing donation centers have been overwhelmed. Fort Bend County alone (where I live), just southwest of Houston and Harris County, has over 10,000 new residence. Most are staying in the homes of friends, relitives or even complete strangers. Many started out in motels but ran out of money after a few days. The local schools are taking in students so they can try to keep up with their studies. It will be a while before things get back to anything aproaching normal.
I just found out today about 3000 will be heading up here to Minnesota at will be staying at Camp Ripley (by Little Falls, MN). An additional 2000 more could be placed in our armories across the state....WOW. I can't even beging to imagine the hell these people are going through. I would not have expected this sort of thing here in the U.S. I used to live in North Carolina and have great respect for Hurricanes and I tend to monitor them from way up here in Minnesota just because. When I saw that Katrina was going to be a near miss for New Orleans I figured there would be some damage but nothing like this. You know, the United States has been beat up pretty badly since September 11 2001. I think I would have to say the 90's seemed easier going. But we must play the cards we are dealt with and help where we can. I have donated some funds to the American Red Cross. I have heard no word if there is going to be a National Guard response from Minnesota other than providing shelter. We are gearing up for a deployment real soon so I imagine we do not have allott of resources to spare right now My praryers and thoughts go out to all who have been affected by this.
We see regular reports of the tragedy on our news bulletins. Was pleased yesterday to see the UK are sending plane loads of supplies over to help out the homeless.
Thanks again to everyone for your thoughts and prayers. We have relatives scattered across north- and central Louisiana as a result of the storm, but the important thing is we are all safe. One of my daughters left for Chicago yesterday to live with friends, and my son is moving to New York City in 10 days. Things WILL be different down here. Now for a commercial plug. I'll be selling about 2800 N scale cars over the next few... months? years? Check the yellow forum from time to time to see what's available. OR, contact me by email/private message with specific requests. Many of the cars have micro-trains trucks with the MT coupler shanks replaced with Accumate shanks to eliminate the "slinky effect." Thanks again to everyone who posted here! Vincent (and Ms. Dee Rayle)
Hey, If you need help getting around the NJ/NY area(directions,resturants,etc. ), I'd be glad to help.
hi all, i have kinda made this board my home for about 2 years now, and check in daily though i do not post often. for over a week i haven't even been on, i havn't even run a train. my brother, who is well physically, just moved to a beach front apartment in long beach, ms. i met him at our mother's home in north alabama this past weekend. they bulldozed the complex before he even had a chance to check for family "treasures". he lost everything. being a parts manager at an rv dealership i am once again overwhelmed by people with no home. though the ones i see are the fortunate ones, having the means to purchase these temporary homes. i have also benifited financially from the volume of business, but the strain of being "blessed" are some times great. i am very blessed to be where i am, but am hurting greatly for my country and fellow citizens and what the future may bring. GOD bless all that suffered this storm. thanks david
