Everyone in the devastated areas south of Jackson (where some power has been restored) is totally and completely isolated and none have any knowledge, whatsoever, about what all has occurred, the extent or magnitude of it or of how long it is going to take to begin to reach a level of liveability where they are.
Until help is able to get into those areas, such as Picayune, Tom and Mark will have no earthly idea about what is going on, just as I had no knowledge whatever from about noon Monday until last night. We were totally and completed isolated in homes all across the southern half of the state and most people are unable to do anything to work themselves out of their situation, even to clear off the streets or to get any food or water other than what they had bought ahead or had on hand.
Most people we knew, including ourselves, were caught by complete surprise last Saturday morning when the hurricane moved farther west.
Tom was gone from home all day Saturday, came home and we talked for a bit, then each drove up to Picayune to Mark’s, taking only a small bag of maybe 3 days worth of clothes and a few plastic grocery bags with a little food and water.
He went to the paper and I did not see him again until about midnight for a few minutes of talk before we tried, without success, to get some sleep.
It is true of most people who left. It was very rapid, so not one was able to take out more than they could grab at the last minute.
I, myself, only brought a few clothes, but at the last minute grabbed all of my insulin pump supples (which is probably about three months worth), all of my many medications and just a few important documents.
I consider myself very lucky in being able to make it to Texas, and once I get to Abilene I will be able to get whatever medical help I need and prescriptions from my brother-in-law, who is a family physician in Abilene.
However, Tom just has maybe a few weeks supply of all of his heart medication and no way, of course, of getting more, until and when I can try to get some through to him, somehow.
And, of course, that individual picture is multiplied many times over. Hundreds of thousands.
More later from Abilene, if not sooner.
Dee,
It is hard to fathom 1 week without power, much less 3 months!
I am glad you left when you did and are heading this direction.
Prayers continue for Tom and Mark and the rest of the family.
Love, Serena
praying for you still.
Dee,
Thanks for the update. I know right now it is hard to even know what you are going to need, but you have a family nationwide ready to open their arms and their wallets to help.
I don’t know anything else to say except that you are in my prayers continuously. Please continue to keep us updated.
Donna
I’m praying for you and your family! It’s great to see your post.
Thank you for bringing us news on what you are going through right now. I can’t even comprehend what I am seeing on television and the internet, it is so overwhelming. You and your family are in our constant thoughts and prayers.
Dee, here’s a blogger hug from Atlanta. I was SO GLAD to see that you had posted and I’m glad you are at a place where you can get the help you need.
Please keep us updated as you can.
Hey Mom,
It is Mark. My family and I have made it to Eunice at Dad’s house. I-59 was impassable yesterday. We made it out through I59 South to I12 to Baton Rouge and then on to Dad’s house.
Tom is fine. He went to check on yall’s house yesterday evening. I am planning to go back in with some supplies and mainly gasoline, as there is NONE to be had. I want to try to get gasoline to people in order to get people out of Picayune, (the women, children, elderly, and special needs…like yourself.
Love
Mark
Mark,
I have never met you but i felt a great deal of relief when I saw your comment above. Good to know ya’ll are safe.
Still praying for all