Hurricane Katrina Update
I just thought I would give you guys an update on what hasn’t been done since the house was damaged by Katrina 1.5 years ago. FEMA is STILL dragging it’s leaden feet on what’s to be done. We still aren’t sure if the house will end up being demolished and rebuilt from the ground up or if it will be repaired. The red tape involved in getting all the bureaucracies in sync has been monumental. Engineering, funding, inspections, code, and just good old-fashioned bean counting has all conspired together to make getting one single house repaired a seemingly impossible task.
Truly, we are dealing with the Ministry of Silly Walks of Monty Python fame. And, yes, these pictures are what the house still looks like after the walls have been torn out, the siding blown off and the roof damaged from the giant oak that fell on it. The air-conditioning and heating system was destroyed so we have small space heaters throughout the house and we put in several small window A/C units to make the summers more bearable.
The roof leaks in at least 3 places, it’s very drafty, several windows are still broken from the wind damage and it still smells of mold from the moisture that soaked into the wood framing when it was flooded out. The last we heard was that we “might” get an answer on what’s to be done in March of this year 2007.
I know that we are far from from the only people that are in this situation, but eventually it will get done. Myself, I’m hoping that the house ends up being demolished because it will never be the same after all that has happened. It’s a shame but it’s true.
On the more personal front, as of today I have 6 more weeks of chemotherapy to go thru before I’m done, damn I cannot wait! I’ve been very weak and have a difficult time coping with the very strong flu like symptoms, aching muscles and joints and the brain fog that accompanies the injections but it’s all good! I’m down to the short strokes now!
WooHoo!! =) Hope you guys have a great weekend!!
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I just find it unconscionable that it is taking this long to bring some resolution to victim’s lives. Pure bureaucrap!!!!
Yay for the short time to the end of chemo! Those symptoms have to suck!
This just pisses me off. I’m with Seamus on this one…pure ridiculous bureaucrap!
I’m so glad you are almost done with your chemo. Take care & be good to you Se7 honey.
After all you’ve been through, six weeks will be a breeze. And come to think of it, it’s about six weeks until March! Who knows….????
Those bureaucratic dipshits should have to live as you and others have and I damn sure bet it would not have taken them this long.
You inspire me, you are not just my friend but my hero. Soon your life will be again a new one. Hot damn
I decided to just post what I was going to have you read—-it was my bogging history and a little other shit. Thanks for just being YOU.
I kinda like the short strokes! Here’s hoping you feel much better very soon.
I can’t believe, (well actually I can,) that nothing on the house has changed since I was there
Here’s to good health - yay!!!!!!!
Man, I wish there was something I could do, wave a wand, blink, rub a lamp, anything, you know?
I love you brother!
FEMA should be ashamed of itself. Best of luck to you in both the house situation and the chemo.:)
What a mess! Hope you feel better soon.
I bet if the FEMA officials had to go to NO and spend a week occupying some of the housing they have to make decisions on things would be decided and done already.
FEMA and this goverment are total shit. Emergency Mis-Management is more like it. I’m sorry you guys are still having to go through this.
But 6 weeks? Compared to all the shit you’ve been through, 6 weeks is no time at all. You’ll be done before you know it.
Oh, still a mess… but at least you’re getting finished up with that nasty chemo.
it’s unbelievable that they’re dragging their feet like this…and still after a year and a half!
i’m sorry to hear about the 6 more weeks of chemo too.
*sending good vibes se7en’s way*
You deserve it!
Ah man… Sev, I can’t begin to comprehend how utterly frustrated you and your family feel, but I’m sendin’ the bestest vibes I can.
As for the short strokes, here’s wishing you the very best! And remember: smooth strokin’, no pokin’. Hugs… and a *poink* to boot!!
I come not to always read the blog, but to simply look at the artwork presented. Your work is amazing.
Sorry to hear about the house and bureaucratics. I watched them tearing apart a house on Dirty Jobs. I hate that your place isn’t finished, but if yours is taking forever, it means everyone else is as well.
I hope you are feeling better. I undergo the knife myself Feb. 7th for unknown reasons of pain, exploratory surgery. Ouch.
Stay strong.
Se7en, I’m so glad to hear that you’re nearing the completion of your treatment. You have my thoughts and prayers for renewed strength and health.
I figure you know how I feel about NOLA. My son moved there to attend Loyola in the fall of 04. August 29, 2005 was to have been the first day of classes for his sophomore year. He was lucky. They were at the very edge of the water and those occupying the bottom level of his rented house got wet, but his unit stayed dry. He lost nothing more than his first semester sophomore year in college, well, that and so much of the city he had consciously chosen to live in and come to love. I had been to NOLA five times in the eighteen months before the storm and I’ve been twice since the man-made flood that followed Katrina’s landfall. I know that it goes on and on and on and, while we might be able to imagine the damage, we cannot possibly understand how vast it is without being there.
I will have to say, though, that I’ve been blessed to make so many new and wonderful friends there, people I’ve met through blogging about New Orleans. Who woulda thunk it?
I’ve heard so many horror stories like yours. New Orleanians have been uniquely betrayed and abandoned by their government at every level.
Take care, darlin’.
Blessings to you, as you finish out your chemo. I’m praying for you…
I hope those 6 weeks fly by for you, and you’re feeling better real quick!
That so sucks about the house… like others have said, such beauracratic b.s.
Glad the chemo’s close to over….
You take care of yourself!! *poinks*