In Their Hour of Need

Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott released a statement yesterday warning against price gouging as many residents of Louisiana are seeking shelter in Austin and other Texas cities. Businesses that take advantage of our displaced neighbors need to be reported.

UPDATE: Fox7News has a bunch of stuff posted about how Austinites can help hurricane victims . The news station and KLBJ radio are setting up a donation site at Carrabba's Restaurant . Drop off cash donations, and 100% will go to the Central Texas Red Cross, who will be able to provide food, clothing, and shelter to these misplaced people. The site also shows how Central Texans are pulling a relief effort together, from AISD offering to help enroll kids in school to actual residents opening up their homes to hurricane victims. Pretty amazing.

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By Rod Barrera in News on September 1, 2005 6:00 AM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

Rod

it sounds like reports of chaos in Baton Rouge may be nothing more than rumors ...

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050901/NEWS/50901017

Jen

Pasta Fan: Thanks for the info. People from my hometown will be greatful for all help they receive, I am sure. I'm sorry you won't ever be able to see the Quarter as it was. I am still in shock.

pasta fan

here's a blog link http://www.gumbopages.com/looka/

Do you have a spare room? MoveOn.org is organizing an emergency housing drive for Katrina refugees:

http://www.hurricanehousing.org

I got the weekly email from RutaMaya and they're collecting food also.

Just last week I did a yahoo map from my door to The French Quarter, it's only 500 miles, and I was thinking I have to go there while I'm living so close.

Rod

I hate to be the one to say this, but would FEMA have responded the same if it was the rich, white part of the city that was flooded and had left left thousands of people stranded and starving?

Jen

Zach, so people in BR are looting and shooting? That is really scary.

I just read that FEMA isn't doing anything to help at all, that the evacuation from the Superdome to the Astrodome is all a Louisiana operation.

CJ

Read this today: At Texas State University-San Marcos, the athletic department is planning a fundraiser for Saturday during their game against Delta State Mississippi.

Zach

or "It's" worse.....I should really review my posts beforehand.

Zach

It worse. Here is a post from a friend in LA:

I just spoke with my daughter in Baton Rouge - there is more going on out there than is being reported. People are carrying guns - robbing people by gun point, stealing gas. Gas lines are ridicilious long. They are asking people not to drive alone, walk alone or go to the banks along. It is really getting scary. Ganster looking types are all over Baton Rouge looting everything they can.

Wow.

hc

From the KXAN website:

On Friday, KXAN and Austin's WB are teaming up with Capital Area Food Bank, HEB, Talk Radio 1370AM, Beat 104.3, Majic 95.5 and Mix 94.7 to present the Care For The Coast Food Drive.

From 6 am to 6:30 pm on Friday, September 2, 2005, you can go to HEB and the Capital Area Food Bank and drop off the items that are most needed for Katrina's victims.

Here's what we're collecting:

- Bottled water

- Peanut butter

- Tuna

- Granola/cereal bars

- Diapers

- Cash

Details here:

http://www.kxan.com/Global/story.asp?S=3784237&nav=0s3cdvUg

Jen

More news about how Austin is helping here .

Rod

Has anyone else heard any motels offering discounts to those in need?

Kat

My friend Jenni and I are trying to put together a network of willing foster parents for pets whose owners must live in shelters. Places like the Red Cross and, I assume, most other human shelters do not allow pets. Many people who stayed in dangerous areas against better advice did so because of the impossibility of taking their pets with them, and certainly many pets were abandoned. Our intention is to get with the Red Cross, Gulf Coast area shelters, etc, and find those in need of temporary (2-3 months) homes for their animals, and connect them with folks in the community willing to do some long term baby-sitting. Please keep in mind that these are strangers' animals, and only offer help if you are able. That said, any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!