I spent some time tonight catching up on what has happened in New Orleans and Mississippi, and what is happening now across the country as a result.
I don't have anything to contribute to the discourse right now, but I do urge you to help if you can. Most of us are physically removed from the damage and the relief effort, but you can give to the Red Cross directly, or through Amazon if that's easier (there are no fees assessed for donations to the hurricane relief effort). Another aid group, Modest Needs, is accepting funds to help support those who are bearing the cost of caring for the thousands who have been displaced (more about Modest Needs).
Please give what you can.
Information about the catastrophe for those who want to know more:
- Gotta listen to this interview. Full coverage at the New York Times, and a great collection of images.
- We knew this would happen some day. We just weren't ready. A November 1994 report that answers the question "What if [Hurricane] Ivan had hit New Orleans?" (via Waxy) Then there was a 2001 report from FEMA that a hurricane hitting New Orleans "was one of the three most likely disasters in the U.S." Sad.
- A good article in the Wall Street Journal about our role in exacerbating the impact of natural events (article accessible for seven days). We have done a poor job legislating standards, we live where we shouldn't live, we have destroyed parts of our ecosystem, and our warmer world is making nastier storms. Ugly.
- The Washington Post addresses the state of our country's funding for disaster preparedness through FEMA and Homeland Security.
- Early estimates of the storm's economic impact
Jonas just called me from the back of a camel while on a sunset tour of the pyramids in Egypt. Earlier this year he called me from the back of an elephant in Thailand. I am going to start a list: "Instances When Jonas Has Telephoned Me From a Strange Land While Riding a Large Beast". Camels, elephants – how obvious. This is going to get a lot harder, Yotis. I want a call from upriver on the Amazon while you're floating atop a Capybera.
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