To all PB family :

We as Americans are a strong and caring people.
I have no doubt that with time and the prayers and help of people and friends like you Miss. and N.O. will recover. I think that all of the PBers in central Miss. are ok they just don't have power yet. Most of Miss. south of I-20 does not have power (750 thousand people}. I am concerned about deaner in Wiggins. He is 35 miles north of Gulfport which is 95 % destroyed. While he would not have storm surge (wave) damage the winds and downed trees and blocked roads with no power and no gas, water or food could be serious. Keep him in mind.

This is the third serious hurricane for me (I have expirenced the effects of many others)and as I view them with thought I will point out one difference. It is not the strength or location of the storm or even that the populations are larger. In the previous storms over 30 years in short order with help we could get up and running. It would take years to completely recover but within 2 weeks or so basics were in place. But little national effect. But if you will notice in the storms in Florida last year and in this one a very serious problem exists with the ability to get gas. Without it no trucks can bring help, no heavy equipment can run, no generators at hospitals or emergency services can run , water systems lose power and no water is available ,people are stranded. Most of the US refining is in Tex. La. , Miss and Ala. with some exceptions. For example 80% of Atlanta's gas comes from the all american pipeline from LA. which also supplies the east coast. It is running at 15% of capicity. Ga. has very little gas. There has not been a refinery built in the US in 25 years because of envior. madness. As a result not only can we not get gas to save lives , you outside this area see huge price increases and lack of sources as we are shut down. It has the potential to grind the US economy to a halt. So if you want to do something ,give as CB1 says and pray for all in need , but realize that the actions of the envior. wackos have consequences and we are all paying a high price. From ACOE pond permits to no refineries or gas to telling you what to do with your land --this madness must stop. ewest