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I just got off the phone with Beau (ShadowAngel). He is still in the Astrodome with the Red Cross relief effort. He expects to head to Louisiana tomorrow. I let him do most of the talking, because he is very low on time. I asked a couple of questions, some that the staff has been talking over in the mod forum in regards to what we (EUSWX) can do. The answers are in there, the questions are not. I didn’t really edit this at all, other than fix my shorthand typing. This isn’t word for word what he said, but it is close.
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The following are Beau's comments:
10,000 here… more on the way, where are these people going to go? No space. I don’t know what they are going to do, might open more shelters. New shelters are opening all the way north into KY. AR/MO and other states will open shelters in the coming time. I would estimate over 1 million refugees… it’s really like the day after tomorrow.
If it was my family, I would relocate and get out of here. They are telling us these people will be here for 4-6 months. I don’t know what to do. It’s organized chaos. There are not enough volunteers, you walk 10 feet and someone gives you a problem. Refugees are coming in with no clothes, no shoes, some were still wet. Last night was just a triage… people were bleeding, had broken bones, etc. We are sending many to the hospital.. Big board of missing family members… it’s like what we had in NYC, but 10 times more.
Red Cross says this is 9/11 and Andrew combined, with probably over 10k dead. We were told there is an area S of NO of NO where there might 10k dead. We’ve been told by several people, but they will never find all the bodies in some of those places. They are going to have to go by missing reports for final tallies. In the richer areas, it will be easier to count… In the others, some people don’t even know they exist. We heard from numerous people that there are bodies floating everywhere… most people in shock. It’s a little more, “reality” maybe. People coming in last night were literally in shock. I’m supposed to be going to LA tomorrow… my DR (?) is LA, they sent us here to check in… we got stuck when they opened shelter. We are going to Baton Rouge, it’s doubled in population. I don’t know how that is going to work out. I don’t even know the words for it… truly something you see out of a movie. I saw CNN and it looked bad. I don’t think the government is doing enough. If these snipers are causing problems, come in and kill them. Why are they letting this happen? I don’t understand that. Why doesn’t the military go in and shoot. You are going to loose lives either way. Wall to wall coverage around the world… Talked to people in Canada, the BBC is running nonstop news, as are their stations.
We need volunteers and money. You need Red Cross training to come here. All of these volunteers will need to be rotated… it’s going to take a while, it’s worth getting trained. This will be a long event. Come for a few days once trained, we need people.
Money… the money will come. It’s hard to get people the money though. This part is going to be 6-12 month project. We will be here for months and months. Volunteers tired, and emotionally wrecked.
Something I never thought I would see. We watched people trying to leave, so many people. This is a tiny fraction of people, this is a small city.
Call local Red Cross, Salvation Army, any agency, if you want to come. We do need more people, but most need to be trained. It’s overwhelming. The worst is the upcoming. Those who could afford hotels have taken all hotels. Some checking out, because they can’t afford to stay at hotel for weeks. I don’t know how many shelters are here in HOU. Churches are taking in people, lots of people being taken in all around the city.
Simple things like dropping water, they should just do it… should be a priority. It’s a simple no brainier. Someone should be dropping food and water in there. I think this is really going to hurt the government, I don’t see how they are going to keep this calm. The race card is being played down here as well, so that might grow. When more people start dying the next few days, I feel for whoever is in charge… this will haunt them forever. I might be wrong, but this is going to be a bitter thing for a long time. Maybe things can change… maybe we are stretched.
I think the government should give people money, tell them to start over. This has to happen. Incorporate them into new cities, wherever they want to go. Get the families into shelters; after the head of the family relocates, and gets a job… move the families out of the shelter.
No one is going to sit here for 6 months.
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Report from Inside the Astrodome Red Cross Relief
#2 Guest_FreakyWxChick_*
Posted 01 September 2005 - 10:23 PM
He sounds extremely scared and frustrated. If and when you talk to him again, tell him many of us here appreciate what he is doing more than words can express.
#4
sm040480 
- Posts: 4,299
- Joined: 03-October 04
- Location:Houston
Posted 01 September 2005 - 10:47 PM
Extremely frustrating. Melissa and I both want to go down there Saturday but we've been given a number to call and then they will tell us where to go. CNN is reporting 5K in the dome, asking where the room for another 20K is. Folks, those chairs you see can be removed. There are also the concourses on each level, not just the field. I can't see cramming another 20 in there but can see another 10K. I've checked the Red Cross site here locally, no training is currently being offered, so if we can't go in without training I suppose we'll head elsewhere. There are approximately 15 other shelters operating in Houston at the moment. There are FIRE STATIONS taking people in. A girl in my government class has taken in her 22 relatives. 22 aunts, uncles, cousins. Yipes.
One thing that infuriated me was Alan Ashby, a former Astros player, offering half-price tickets to an Astros game for any of the "refugees". And bragging about 1.00 hot dogs. I almost smashed my truck I screamed so loud. These people have no money and we're offering them HALF PRICE ASTROS TICKETS? Get a clue. Everywhere you look in Houston something is going on for the refugees. The car wash is a donation collection site. There was a mobile blood drive van at the grocery store. It's everywhere. Has anyone noticed some stunned looks on their neighbors faces? The quiet shock? I saw it today at Kroger. People were infinitely kinder to eachother, the store itself was quieter. Didn't mean to hijack the thread, just thought I'd let ya'll know what I'm seeing from the outside.
One thing that infuriated me was Alan Ashby, a former Astros player, offering half-price tickets to an Astros game for any of the "refugees". And bragging about 1.00 hot dogs. I almost smashed my truck I screamed so loud. These people have no money and we're offering them HALF PRICE ASTROS TICKETS? Get a clue. Everywhere you look in Houston something is going on for the refugees. The car wash is a donation collection site. There was a mobile blood drive van at the grocery store. It's everywhere. Has anyone noticed some stunned looks on their neighbors faces? The quiet shock? I saw it today at Kroger. People were infinitely kinder to eachother, the store itself was quieter. Didn't mean to hijack the thread, just thought I'd let ya'll know what I'm seeing from the outside.
#6
jinhocho
- Posts: 41
- Joined: 31-August 05
Posted 01 September 2005 - 11:39 PM
sm040480, on Sep 1 2005, 11:04 PM, said:
CNN REPORTING NOW THAT BUSES ARE NOW BEING TURNED AWAY FROM THE DOME.
Told there is no more room. Buses are showing up and are being told to go somewhere else. Incredible. WTF?
Told there is no more room. Buses are showing up and are being told to go somewhere else. Incredible. WTF?
I signed up with the Red Cross today and they got back to me about training almost immediately. After reading this, I am going to register for the training in the AM.
#7
MdWx
- RavensX5
-
- Posts: 24,585
- Joined: 12-May 04
- Location:Baltimore, Maryland
Posted 02 September 2005 - 07:49 AM
sm040480, on Sep 2 2005, 12:04 AM, said:
CNN REPORTING NOW THAT BUSES ARE NOW BEING TURNED AWAY FROM THE DOME.
Told there is no more room. Buses are showing up and are being told to go somewhere else. Incredible. WTF?
Told there is no more room. Buses are showing up and are being told to go somewhere else. Incredible. WTF?
Probably don't want a repeat of the superdome where even though technically you can fit more people it do more harm than good.. This operation needs to be spread out ALOT more.. Basketball is out of season... Begin using all Texas and surronding area arena's IMO..
#8
SacrydDreamz
- Virginia is for Lovers
-
- Posts: 29,131
- Joined: 16-September 03
- Location:State College, PA
Posted 02 September 2005 - 10:03 AM
jinhocho, on Sep 2 2005, 12:39 AM, said:
I signed up with the Red Cross today and they got back to me about training almost immediately. After reading this, I am going to register for the training in the AM.
Good man, both you and Beau.
#10
Swiscaster
- Potential Shoveler
-
- Posts: 749
- Joined: 16-November 04
- Location:Centreville, VA
Posted 02 September 2005 - 01:56 PM
I heard the DC Armoury in Washington is opening its doors to refugees.
#11 Guest_VTmtngirl_*
Posted 02 September 2005 - 04:32 PM
SacrydDreamz, on Sep 2 2005, 11:03 AM, said:
Good man, both you and Beau.
I agree, excellent. Although, lock your heart up tight, its going to be a rocky ride if you have never done anything like this before. Patience and kindness to all will be the rule of the day (even for those with pets, Randy). I guarantee you, this will change your life and your outlook on it.
#12 Guest_ConnMan_*
Posted 02 September 2005 - 07:37 PM
VTmtngirl, on Sep 2 2005, 05:32 PM, said:
I agree, excellent. Although, lock your heart up tight, its going to be a rocky ride if you have never done anything like this before. Patience and kindness to all will be the rule of the day (even for those with pets, Randy). I guarantee you, this will change your life and your outlook on it.
One of my friends from home signed up to train today... plans on going in a few weeks. I would like to myself, but I don't think it's possible right now. :(
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