Melinda Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 Dear all, I know this is not cancer-related--but if you could spare a thought for my little sister, I would greatly appreciate it. She bravely moved to New Orleans two weeks ago without knowing a soul-- found her first apartment, bought the furniture, car, etc. and was ready to embark on a wonderful new chapter of her life. This was a HUGE step for her. She's a sensitive soul and yesterday she was too scared to evacuate alone (she just learned to drive a month ago) and too scared to stay. The one person she had become friends with in the city happened to already be out of town--and she's really shy. As I'm sure many of you know, New Orleans is not only bracing itself for Ivan--but the looting that may very well take place whether or not the storm hits there (as so many people have had to leave their homes). A curfew has already been imposed upon the city for that very reason. The crime rate is not negligable even on a regular day (and that's coming from a New York City girl). My mom and I were up half the night trying to convince her to evacuate--as we do NOT want her in her apartment alone at this time no matter what--and she said that she might try to follow the lead of someone else in her building, and head for Houston (normally about a six hour drive). We have not been able to contact her since (on her home or cell phone). My mom is frantic. Please pray that my little sister is safely stuck in traffic on her way out of New Orleans. Thanks. Melinda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elnodel Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 Oh, Melinda -- as if you didn't have enough to worry about! Let's hope that indeed she IS stuck in traffic in a nice safe place. I had heard earlier that the mayor of New Orleans told people who couldn't leave to go to apartment buildings that have high floors so that the flooding, which is what they're really worried about, won't reach them. Perhaps your sister's apartment is so located? Let us know when you hear from her. Ellen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melinda Posted September 15, 2004 Author Share Posted September 15, 2004 No such luck--she is on the first floor of a two story house. Material things--well, they're nice but expendable. I'm just worried about my sister's physical and emotional well being... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fay A. Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 I'll keep her my prayers, Melinda. And hope you hear from her soon. I'm trying to find out where my elderly Uncle and Aunt have gone to. (They live in Biloxi, Mississippi). I haven't been able to reach them for days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pecola Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 Melinda, I will keep your sister in my prayers. I imagine she is on the road to safety and the cell phone towers are just jammed and nothing is going through or it is going straight to voice mail - that happened in our area. Let us know when you hear from her. Gina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJ Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 melinda, your sister and the rest of your family are definitely in my thoughts and prayers. God bless, mj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niececola Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 Hi Melinda, I am saying a few prayers for your sister, don't worry, I am sure she is ok. Love, Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitkathi Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 Oh Melinda I hope she gets out of there. I hate to think of her alone and without power (which is almost inevitable). I will pray that she contacts you soon. It is scary, I was in Florida during Charley. kitkathi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karen335 Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 Melinda, Lot's of prayers for your sister. My husband and I just left Miami Bch, FL Saturday. We out ran Ivan and are now in El Paso, TX.. My brother is in Tallahassee, FL right now. Prayers for all of them, I'm sure your sister is ok... God Bless, Karen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 Melinda Keeping your whole family in my thoughts. elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cheri Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 Melinda Just a quick note to let you know that cell phones aren't working down here at the moment...mine hasn't worked since yesterday I guess from the flood of calls being made. We live in Pensacola, FL and are now staying with my brother in Panama City. The traffic was horrendous and what is normally an hour and a half drive took us about 4 and a half hours. I am sure that your sister is fine...her cell phone will hopefully be back up tomorrow. Our house line is down, too. The good news for her is that the brunt of it will be going to Mobile and unfortunately, my town of Pensacola. I'll say a little prayer for her now. Cheri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathy Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 Melinda, Hopefully you will hear from her soon, from Houston... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nushka Posted September 16, 2004 Share Posted September 16, 2004 Melinda, I can imagine how you must feel and I hope you hear from your sister very soon..let us know if you do. They just showed New Orleans on the news and it is not nearly as bad there as they had feared. The eye should hit in about 3 hours or less. It appeared that the eye will hit dead on Mobile,Al. There have already been deaths in Panama City because of tornadoes. Keep us all in your prayers as we will your little sister. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annjael Posted September 16, 2004 Share Posted September 16, 2004 (((((Melinda and little sister))))))) My thoughts and prayers are with you and your sister. I just went through Charley and Frances. My first hurricanes since I moved here 3 yrs ago. It is very scary, but please try to believe she will be ok. The authorities have excellent storm preparation and evacuation plans in place, for everyones safety, and fortunately they have ample time to implement them. Please keep us posted here, this is a wonderful group of caring people. Peace to you, Annjael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fall54 Posted September 16, 2004 Share Posted September 16, 2004 Dear Melinda, Your Dear Sister is in my prayers. I dont know what else to say but that I care God Bless Her and all of you, Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dede Posted September 16, 2004 Share Posted September 16, 2004 Melinda, I hope that you have heard from your sister by now and that she is safe and sound. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerbil runner Posted September 16, 2004 Share Posted September 16, 2004 I hope you hear from your sister soon, but I bet she's doing the white-knuckle drive outta Dodge. Prayers going out for you all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna G Posted September 16, 2004 Share Posted September 16, 2004 Looks like New Orleans dodged the bullet. The map of the storm rainfall I saw this am showed NewOrleans with only a few inches of rain, while just east they had huge rainfall. If that had fallen on New Orleans , the city would all be flooded. Now that day light is up perhaps we will see more of what happened on the Gulf Coast. Prayers continueing. Donna G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MayFrog Posted September 16, 2004 Share Posted September 16, 2004 keeping your little sis in my thoughts, and glad that New Orleans was spared the brunt of this storm......hope you hear from her soon. My heart goes out to all affected by ivan.....especially Alabama and the Florida panhandle.......stay safe! Mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted September 16, 2004 Share Posted September 16, 2004 These storms like the Beast have played havoc on so many this year. I'm praying that your sister is just fine and you can relax a bit. Rachel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddy Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 Oh Melinda, How worrying this must be for you! Do let us know as soon as you hear from your sister meantime I will be thinking positive thoughts for you both. Paddy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melinda Posted September 20, 2004 Author Share Posted September 20, 2004 I just wanted to thank everyone for their well wishes. My little sister managed to get to Texas--and back--just fine. I hope that everyone on this dear board---and their friends and family--were left unharmed in the wake of Ivan. Melinda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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