I live on the borders of Montgomery and Schoharie county, two badly hit counties in upstate NY following Hurricane Irene. Fortunately, the worst I had to deal with was lack of power, flooding in my front yard and my road being washed away.
Others were not so fortunate.
Down the road from me, 20 families had their houses washed right off their foundations in the village of Esperance, and others in Sloansville looked like they had been tossed in the air and stamped upon. Lives just turned upside down. Fortunately planning ans evacuation has kept injuries and fatalities low, although there have been some.
The Schoharie and Mohawk valleys are devistated in places. Many are without their homes and living in shelters. Towns have limited access and no services. The National Guard, FEMA and many other agencies are here helping and this weekend the Governor has launched a program for New Yorkers to help other New Yorkers, either by volunteering help with their time, or by donating to help those who now have nothing.
It is truly surreal here right now. Where I live, things look like normal and then you turn a corner and it looks just like a third world country with homes destroyed, belongings piled in front of houses covered in mud, or entire areas just washed away.
I'm going out today to purchase some items that are needed at the local emergency center - bleach, cleaning supplies and disposable tableware. I guess every little helps.
If there is anyone out there that can help, and wants to, perhaps you can take a look at the Governors website: http://www.governor.ny.gov/laborforyourneighbor
I know we are not the only area of the country affected, and I'm starting to get a better understanding of how terrible it must have been after Katrina, though 100's time worse I'm sure.
Thank you ladies for at least listening to me!
