Hurricane Katrina
A friend of mine from New Orleans once told me that if a category 5 hurricane were to sweep over New Orleans, it would wipe it off the map. Earlier this week, Hurricane Katrina made his bleak statement a reality. Thousands of people have been left displaced and are doing whatever is necessary to survive in this dire situation. It's taking longer than expected to get supplies, food, medicines, and manpower to New Orleans which has turned into a city of looting and violence; where desperation and a shotgun can get you a ride out of the city, assuming you aren't stopped by a crowd of people walking to find shelter and care.
In addition, the flooding poses a serious health risk for survivors. Hepatitis-A, E. coli, leptospirosis are just a few viral infections that could affect the survivors of Katrina. The high humidity and heat, the lack of food and clean water, and respirtory illnesses that could infect the refugees in the Astrodome are the most prevalent dangers.
The Gulf Coast companion and farm animals have been seriously affected as well. Dogs and cats are being rescued and transported to the Houston SPCA to be adopted out, and others will hopefully be reunited with their owners. There are a few pet-friendly shelters that have welcomed both owners and pets. Livestock has been lost to the hurricane resulting in not only animal loss, but loss to the economy and food source for a majority of America. Chicken feed and manure have been washed into the flood waters adding to the public health risk in the area.
It's estimated that the hurricane will be the most costly to affect the United States: over $100 billion when all is said and done. This includes the rising cost of oil to power those jacked cars, the loss in tourism for the Gulf Coast area, the closed oil refineries, the loss in business, especially if those businesses relocate to other areas: the economic impact is enormous. But certainly, the most serious loss is that of lives. I'm 1,500 miles away from New Orleans, but the call to help is enormous. Take a moment and donate to those legitimate organizations working to save lives: both people's and animals's.
In addition, the flooding poses a serious health risk for survivors. Hepatitis-A, E. coli, leptospirosis are just a few viral infections that could affect the survivors of Katrina. The high humidity and heat, the lack of food and clean water, and respirtory illnesses that could infect the refugees in the Astrodome are the most prevalent dangers.
The Gulf Coast companion and farm animals have been seriously affected as well. Dogs and cats are being rescued and transported to the Houston SPCA to be adopted out, and others will hopefully be reunited with their owners. There are a few pet-friendly shelters that have welcomed both owners and pets. Livestock has been lost to the hurricane resulting in not only animal loss, but loss to the economy and food source for a majority of America. Chicken feed and manure have been washed into the flood waters adding to the public health risk in the area.
It's estimated that the hurricane will be the most costly to affect the United States: over $100 billion when all is said and done. This includes the rising cost of oil to power those jacked cars, the loss in tourism for the Gulf Coast area, the closed oil refineries, the loss in business, especially if those businesses relocate to other areas: the economic impact is enormous. But certainly, the most serious loss is that of lives. I'm 1,500 miles away from New Orleans, but the call to help is enormous. Take a moment and donate to those legitimate organizations working to save lives: both people's and animals's.
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