Okay, so maybe it isn’t a fun adventure, and I definitely didn’t sign up for this but adventure sounds more fun than hostage situation so let’s go with it. Actually, we are not stuck here, but getting out is not easy. Here’s the current situation in Metairie, Louisiana (upper Jefferson):
Today, September 1, we have no power (no trucks in sight because we’re not at that point yet, they’re still accessing things. Be patient, I know it’s hard but they have phases to get through). We still have lower than normal water pressure so we’re being asked to seriously conserve. It’s still nice to see it flowing somewhat out of the faucet. We’re under boil water advisories because of the low pressure (don’t brush your choppers with that stuff, or as I remembered a little too late last night- wash your produce with it). Gas lines run for miles (often in multiple directions) and people are desperate to fill cars and tanks for gennies. If you need pump gas for your gennie, don’t come home yet or bring a LOT. Groceries are opening with very limited supplies, long lines, and limited hours. Food distribution begins today at Zephyr Stadium and Johnny Bright for the Metairie residents. They’re giving MREs, Tarps, and Ice.
Please remember car repair places are closed, there were very limited supplies of cars to buy before Ida and now they’re nearly non-existent. The closest car rental we heard of yesterday was Houston, $200 a day. Be gentle with your cars yall! No power means no traffic lights, people are insane right now – it’s truly fight or flight for some. If you don’t have to go out, just wait for a bit. It’s almost a war zone in some places.
We’re still dusk-to-dawn curfew and there are still some hold outs without generators who are staying. Pray for them as we are entering our second day under heat advisory.
The more I think about it, the more I realize we’re all wrong to compare Ida to Katrina because they’re so, so entirely different, from the paths of destruction to the way they hit (Katrina was a lot more rain and flooding for us, the levees broke and Ida was more of a wind issues, electricity fell into the river, water supply broke). You can’t compare apples and oranges, they’re both devastating and will take time to come back. But remember, we WILL come back more beautiful than ever. If you’re from here and are evacuated, I KNOW you want to come home, I know you want to start the rebuild and repairs. But please, please wait. Let us sort this mess out first, let us get situated and stable before bringing more humans in. DO NOT BRING YOUR KIDS back! Not yet.
If you’re here without a good set up, go. Don’t linger. We’re weeks away from normalcy.
If you want to help, connect with a family and sponsor them. Most of us don’t benefit from those huge donation pages that are roped into bureaucracy. Find a local family and bestow a gift somehow.
Keep going yall. We’re New Orleans strong
Lauren
Southern Girl Blogging 