Hurricane Katrina

Louisiana Disaster Relief Telephone Numbers- This link takes you directly to the Louisiana web page that contains numerous agency telephone numbers and web pages. Read it carefully to find the right agency or department you need.

Mississippi Disaster Relief Telephone Numbers- This page simply and clearly makes the emergency telephone numbers for Mississippi available.

In the affected Gulf Coast states - Hundreds of thousands are displaced, thousands likely have died, and many more are at risk of disease and death.

If you want to help, donate.

Hurricane Hotlines and Disaster Information (Scroll Down)

(September 2, 2005 - 4:50 PM EST) Hurricane KatrinaUpdate - (New Orleans) The Calvary has finally arrived in New Orleans. The National Guard and huge convoys of water, food, and medical supplies have finally made it to the city in ruin. The violence and gunfire are being met with a massive show of force by heavily armed troops, many of whom are well experienced in urban warfare. The criminal elements still in the city will doubtfully confront the new sherriff in town. Thank God, now the rescuers can go full-force ahead with rescuing, feeding, and evacuating the poor people of New Orleans. While there are many people still stuck in a bad situation, it sure is getting better fast. Hopefully some lives can be saved.

(September 1, 2005 - 12:31 PM EST) Hurricane Katrina Update - Scott McClellen (White House spokesman) - "The federal disaster declaration area covers 90,000 square miles.... There are towns completely wiped out... The devestation is enorous... This is a major catastrophe..."

This massive natural disaster has simply overwhelmed the ability of FEMA and the state and local planners to respond quickly enough. Especially in New Orleans, where widespread flooding has slowed rescue operations to a near stand-still. Over 80% of New Orleans is flooded. Some people, likely the old, are beginning to die on the side of the freeway from exposure and lack of water while trying to make their way to the Superdome. The city of New Orleans appears to be completely out of civil control as reports of looting and gang activity are running rampant. In some reports, rescue operations are being shut down because of gunfire.

(August 31, 2005 - 3:57 PM EST) Hurricane Katrina Update - Thousands may be dead - Mayor of New Orleans. The flooding seems to have slowed somewhat, however, the water is not receding and huge numbers of people are stranded all over the city. Two days after Hurricane Katrina smashed through New Orleans, tens of thousands of survivors are wandering around the city without food or water. A truly devestating scene in New Orleans is matched in Biloxi Mississippi and parts of Alabama. Hospitals in New Orleans are operating without power, lighting, or refrigeration. People have no food, no clean water, and no shelter. Basic living conditions continue to deteriorate, as the number of dead is unknown but growing. President Bush has declared the Gulf Coast region hit by Hurricane Katrina a disaster area and state of emergency.

(August 30, 2005 - 11:45 PM EST) Hurricane Katrina Update - Widespread destruction and human suffering. Food, water and medical attention is needed immediately. Tens of thousands are displaced, many in need of medical attention. In New Orleans, two levees have given way and the city continues to flood. In Mississippi, the scope of the devestation is massive.

If you want to help, donate.

Donate to the Red Cross

(August 29, 2005 - 1:45 PM EST) Hurricane Katrina Update - Hurricane Katrina has left 750,000 southeast Louisiana residents without power. City water pumps are struggling to keep up with the large amount of water with some pumps on the east side of New Orleans failing. Louisiana residents could be without power for up to a month.President Bush has declared a state of emergency for Louisiana and Mississippi, clearing the way for federal money to help respond to the damage incurred by Hurricane Katrina in those states.

(August 29, 2005 - 11:20 AM EST) Hurricane Katrina Update - Hurricane Katrina is now a category 3 hurricane with 135 mph sustained winds.

In New Orleans, levees on the east side of town have topped and are spilling water from Lake Pontchartrain into parts of New Orleans. Floods up to 9 feet are expected. Emergency managers in New Orleans report residents taking refuge on rooftops and awaiting resue.

Alabama Governor declares State of Emergency - Hurricane Katrina is battering Alabama's Golf Coast. The storm surge is reportedly 16ft at this time. Alabama disaster victims click Alabama Disaster Relief for disaster relief information.

(August 29, 2005 - 9:59 AM EST) Hurricane Katrina Update - Hurricane Katrina has been downgraded slightly from last night and early Monday morning, it was a Category 5 hurricane and is now a strong Category 4 hurricane.

Gulfport, Mississippi is currently recieving extremely dangerous eyewall winds in the 150 mph to 160 mph ranges along with massive amounts of rain. Slidell, Louisiana is taking a beating from Hurricane Katrina as is New Orleans and much of the central Gulf Coast cities in Louisianna, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida's panhandle.

New Orleans' French Quarter lost power, with winds reportedly blowing out windows and tearing off roofs. The main water pumps that keep New Orleans from flooding have shut off and are not expected to start up. Although New Orleans seems to have been spared from Hurricane Katrina's strongest brunt forces, the water and wind damage continues as the center of Hurricane Katrina passes slightly to the East and overhead. There are reports that some homes in New Orleans are flooded to their ceilings.

Mississippi looks to be bearing the brunt of Hurricane Katrina. The reported storm surge from Hurricane Katrina is said to be as high as 40 to 50 ft with waves in the 20 ft to 30 ft ranges. Katrina is moving at 15 mph to the North and slightly to the East.

(August 26, 2005 - 1:06 PM EST) - Hurricane Katrina has passed over southern Florida and is expected to move through the Gulf of Mexico and then hit Florida's panhandle. At this time it's reported that 9 have been killed in southern Florida. Over 1 million in South Florida have lost power from Hurricane Katrina.

Katrina currently is moving North in the Gulf of Mexico where she's now a category 2 hurricane. Katrina is expected to reach hurricane 3 category. It's possible that Hurricane Katrina will reach category 4 before she finally reaches landfall for the second time. Hurricane Katrina is moving towards the FL panhandle.

Hurricane Katrina is organizing, growing and strengthening over 86-89 degree (F) waters in the Gulf of Mexico. The warm water will allow Hurricane Katrina to gain much more strength before landfall, which is estimated to occur early on Monday.

Hurricane Hotlines and Disaster Information (Scroll Down)

Hurricane Dennis

Hurricane Dennis beared down on Florida after sideswiping Haiti and rolling over Cuba. This hurricane is big, it's powerful and it may reach category 5 strength before hitting landfall somewhere from Louisiana to Florida. Hurricane Dennis may directly hit the Florida Keys. Key West in particular could be hard hit. This hurricane is likely going to be a history maker, as it's one of the strongest hurricanes to make landfall in over 100 years. We hope the information below will be helpful for those in Florida who may be effected by Hurricane Dennis.

Hurricane Charley

Hurricane Frances

Hurricane Ivan

Hurricane Charley swept through Florida and left massive destruction in many areas. Hurricane Frances did it's best as made it's slow swipe across the State.

After these hurricanes, Florida got another tough break when it found itself in the path of another fairly strong hurricane - Hurricane Ivan.

In 2004, President Bush had declared a major disaster in Florida, making federal aid available to Charlotte, Lee, Manatee and Sarasota counties. This action triggers FEMA, which provides Federal Disaster Relief Assistance. Florida Governor Jeb Bush has declared Florida in a State of Emergency. This will trigger State relief for those hit by Hurricane Charley.

July 7, 2004 - Florida Governor Jeb Bush declares Florida a major disaster area. This before the hurricane has reached landfall in Florida. Governor Jeb Bush did this to trigger the disaster relief resources now, before the storm hits.

(Update - July 10, 2005) - Hurricane Dennis is currently at Category 4 strength. The hurricane is not expected to strengthen to category 5. Hurricane Dennis has reportedly killed 29 people in Haiti and 10 people in Cuba.

(Update - July 11, 2005) - Hurricane Dennis has reached land in the U.S. and was downgraded to tropical storm status. Dennis will leave a lot of rain water in it's path as it moves north and east. Atlanta is receiving large amounts of rain from Dennis. In Florida and Alabama, damage has initially been assesed at less than Ivan, although there are pockets of significant property and ecological damage. Hurricane Dennis has reportedly killed 4 in Florida - 3 in Punta Gorda, 29 in Haiti and 10 people in Cuba.

FEMA is the Federal agency in charge of assisting those who are in need of Federal assistance when an area is declared a Federal Disaster Emergency Area.

Hurricane INFORMATION AND RELIEF NUMBERS (below)

The Red Cross also has rushed into the Florida communities hit so hard by Hurricane Charley. Red Cross provides immediate support for the displaced victims of Hurricane Charley and Hurricane Frances.

This number is for family members who are looking for one another and/or need immmediate assistance. Victims of Hurricane Charley use this number. Others, please don't clog these lines for minor or unnecessary inquiries.