NEW ORLEANS PEOPLE...What are you doing at this moment?!

[Brent]

I think the four days of supplies guidelines are for the longest they'd expect it to take until it's safe to get emergency supplies into an area. For Ivan, I want to say that the National Guard was up and running in the area and handing out water, ice, and MREs within 2-3 days.

Right now, there is massive planning going on in order to get emergency food and water supplies into the areas affected by Katrina. Warehouses and stockpiles checked, search and rescue workers going on high alert, etc. There are also probably hundred utility workers and their trucks making their way to hotels in Memphis and Birmingham in preparation for 18 hour days rebuilding the power grid wherever this thing hits.

The country has gotten a lot better at this since Andrew.

Alabama has offered any help Louisiana or wherever needs... not sure about other states. I'm sure they'll follow suit(the ones that aren't affected).

[CharleySurvivor]

Reading all this brings back SO many memories of Charley last year.

Remember the worst will be AFTER, it was TOTAL hell for us but we made it. There was lots of tears, patience needed and hard work and we pulled thru it.

My heart is with all of you!

[artist]

yes - people will be rescued if they know where you are and you can get out. Only GPS phones worked here for the first 3 days after Frances and Jeanne. Also be certain you have cash - if you are able to get to a store you will have to pay for everything with cash until power is restored and banks can reopen. Also if you can have a longer supply of food on hand - do it! The wait for ice and water was hours upon hours here and then they sometimes ran out. Why put yourself thru that? Distribution is done in certain areas and if you have no vehicle to get there or roads are impassable you will have to walk. What if there is water between you and the point of distribution? People just don't understand what it is like afterwards. Yes - everything will be done that can be safely but why put yourself in that position if you can avoid if? If you are not leaving have at least a weeks worth of food and water on hand. And more water than you think you need - you will be surprised how quickly you will go thru it.