2005-09-01
katrina: finding people
I don't live anywhere near Covington, LA | It has been my cyber acquaintencship with John Strain that had me personally interested in what was happening with people in the New Orleans area |
So I found myself a bit, well, whelmed, when people started asking me about their families | I wrote people back explaining the circumstances, but also recognize that the needs are so great right now that, having started on this track [reporting on the storm's aftermath] I can't just let it go | Not right now | Two of you have already written back | I still don't know what has happened to Lincoln Wilkins of 309 Dove Park Covington | If someone out there knows his whereabouts please contact Scott Paxton [skid_94@hotmail.com], one of his family members in West Virgina |
The BBC has begun a posting board for people looking for loved ones at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/4202042.stm, so go there if you are looking for someone |
One reader, Melissa Wagemakers, has already heard from her relatives | She told me about this posting board and some sketchy details about Covington | Here's her message of hope:
I don't live anywhere near Covington, LA | It has been my cyber acquaintencship with John Strain that had me personally interested in what was happening with people in the New Orleans area | So I found myself a bit, well, whelmed, when people started asking me about their families | I wrote people back explaining the circumstances, but also recognize that the needs are so great right now that, having started on this track [reporting on the storm's aftermath] I can't just let it go | Not right now | Two of you have already written back | I still don't know what has happened to Lincoln Wilkins of 309 Dove Park Covington | If someone out there knows his whereabouts please contact Scott Paxton [skid_94@hotmail.com], one of his family members in West Virgina |The BBC has begun a posting board for people looking for loved ones at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/4202042.stm, so go there if you are looking for someone |
One reader, Melissa Wagemakers, has already heard from her relatives | She told me about this posting board and some sketchy details about Covington | Here's her message of hope:
Good news! Family has been seen and located AND spoken to!!!! We will have word in the morning whether they will be able to get out of the city, and when, so we can go pick them up and bring them to Kansas!I welcome others with brief "found" notices to send them & I'll put up a separate page if it will help |
If anyone else should ask, Covington has flooding and trees down. There is damage to houses, properties, etc. Of course there's no power. There have been volunteers going to Tennessee to get generators and will be back with them in the morning. There's also no phones. However, some people can get text messages on cell phones (not MMS messages) even though they cannot get phone calls. My daughters friend has Cingular, and he is able to retrieve text messages AND reply, but cannot make or receive phone calls. I'm sure this probably doesn't work in all areas, but it's worth a try for someone trying to get a hold of their loved ones.
SEE ALSO: NZ BEAR's Blogs for Relief Links | Riehl's site offers some links and phone numbers | MSNBC has also posted some basics on getting more info on flood victims and how to help survivors |
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