Hurricane Recovery - Rebuilding the Gulf Coast

Hurricane Recovery - Rebuilding the Gulf Coast:

"'I had a good visit with the Governor and the Mayor, as well. One of the things that we're working on is to make sure that we've learned the lessons from Katrina -- we've learned lessons at the federal level and state level and the local level. And we're now working closely together in preparation of the upcoming hurricane season. Secretary Chertoff was down here working with the Governor just to make sure that communications are clear, that equipment will be pre-positioned, and that the communications system, which failed last time, will be up and running should there be another catastrophic storm.'

-- President George W. Bush
April 27, 2006"

President Discusses Volunteerism During Visit to Hands on Gulf Coast Civic Action Center

The president went to Handson!!

President Discusses Volunteerism During Visit to Hands on Gulf Coast Civic Action Center:

"I've come to the conclusion that I'm at a terrific place where people are here bound by a common desire to show compassion to their neighbors in need. I really thank you. It's a compassion commune -- (laughter) -- where people are united by a singular purpose and setting a great example. Everybody -- most people I talk to say, well, that's make me feel better. The truth of the matter is, when you volunteer to serve somebody in need, it does make you feel better."

Plaquemines Levee Work May Not Be Completed In Time - Yahoo! News

Plaquemines Levee Work May Not Be Completed In Time - Yahoo! News:

"There is concern that critical levee work in Plaquemines Parish may not be completed by the start of hurricane season."

Evacuees Find Housing Grants Will End Soon - New York Times

Evacuees Find Housing Grants Will End Soon - New York Times:

"Of about 55,000 families who were given long-term housing vouchers, nearly a third are receiving notices that they no longer qualify, FEMA officials said. For the rest, benefits are also being cut: they will have to sign new leases, pay their own gas and electric bills and requalify for rental assistance every three months."

....the notices have panicked evacuees and raised the ire of local officials and landlords, who say FEMA is reneging on a promise and dismantling a program that is helping more people and is far less expensive than other housing solutions like trailers."

PC(USA) - Presbyterian Disaster Assistance - Stories of hope - Katrina/Rita stories

Gary just sent me the following link...it is really interesting to see how much the time in the gulf has affected people AND how much good has come out of it down there!


PC(USA) - Presbyterian Disaster Assistance - Stories of hope - Katrina/Rita stories: "Stories of hope: Presbyterians respond to bring hope following Hurricanes/Rita"

He also provided some numbers from the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA):

"Katrina Recovery - Quick Numbers To Date

* Over 25,000: the number of uninsured or underinsured homes that still need work.

* Over 10,000: the number of volunteers to visit the Mississippi coast to assist with the recovery efforts through PDA.

*Over 4,000: the number of PDA volunteers to work during the spring break month of March.

* Over 1500: the number of casseroles prepared and delivered by the Presbyterian Women to feed those hungry volunteers.

*Over 1200: the number of houses that have been worked on by PDA volunteers.

*Over 300: the number of houses re-roofed.

*2: the team of George and Linda Bates who continue to work tirelessly for the PDA to coordinate their recovery effort on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

*1: the number of work teams currently booked for March of 2007"

The last one may be the most scary!

Thanks Gary and to all the volunteers THANKS!!! and keep up the great work!

BBC NEWS | World | Americas | Katrina agency faces closure call

BBC NEWS | World | Americas | Katrina agency faces closure call:

"The US Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) should be abolished and replaced with a new agency, a Senate inquiry panel has recommended.

The new agency would operate under the Department of Homeland Security, but be able to communicate directly with the president in the event of a disaster."

Experts debate hurricane warnings - Yahoo! News

Experts debate hurricane warnings - Yahoo! News:

"'There is a lack of communication between the scientists and the risk-management folks,' said Sytske Kimball, assistant professor of meteorology at the University of South Alabama who chaired a discussion on the issue. 'We speak different languages, use different terminologies"