I just read where New Iberia got hit hard from Rita. That is where Dianne is from. I know she got orders from the police to evacuate on Fri. I haven't heard how she fared.
Does anyone know how the area that Susan is in came through?
Hoping our hoya friends will check in and let us know how they are doing.
My thoughts are with everyone in the South going through this second recovery...
Hurricane Rita Check in...
Krikey....life is enough of a challenge without adding hurricanes!!!! I haven't heard anything...will let everyone know when/if I do.
I just spoke to Dianne. She and her family are ok but her house has 8 ft of water in it. I don't know when she will be able to return or what she will find. Probably the winds and waters have taken her lovely collection of hoyas and orchids. Let's hope I am wrong. Her family is staying at her mother in laws. Some parts of New Iberia don't have electricity, cable tv, or internet yet. She can't get on line .
Where Dianne lives is near a marina and the port of Iberia. She is right on a waterway. All of those folks are in shock. The waters are still rising.
All of us will have to help Dianne start her collection over when the time comes.
Johanna
You are too right, Flicker...and what a super idea!!! For Susan (Nightbloomer) too. How did yours come thru? Need some replacements? Editing this post so as not to clog the thread....What a wonderful sticky thread, Karen....I will be sure to stay tuned here!!!
Carol
This message was edited Sep 25, 2005 7:15 AM
Carole, my plants were battered by H Katrina. I brought my potted plants inside for the storm. My home is still without electricity or phones. I evacuated to my mom's 4 days after the storm hit, (until the services are restored--the heat was killing me.) When I left home, my hoyas were on the front porch and I was given promises that they would be watered.
One can only hope.....;o)
Johanna
There is also a Hurricane Rita Check-In thread in the weather forum (Trish and the other members are keeping an eye on it). I've cut and pasted what Flicker posted above there: http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/546894/ People have been placing those that have lost all with a DG HBuddy (Hurricane Buddy) who lets the membership know what some of their urgent needs are.
Flicker I should have let you know about this thread first (I had posted a link for Nightbloomer in the last thread she had on *watch*). Since you are in contact with Dianne would you be interested in being her buddy? The Helping Hurricane Katrina Victims forum http://davesgarden.com/forums/f/help4katrina/ has examples of what peeps are doing for those that have lost everything. I think Dave might start up a new forum for Rita OR combine the two.
This message was edited Sep 25, 2005 11:30 AM
The recent disasters have broken my heart for all those who have suffered from their impact. I would be delighted to help any DG friends who find themselves starting new Hoya collections.
I just heard from Susan. They had junk in the yard and roof damage to the shade house...but that was all. She is back to work...will write me later. I urged her to check in....I reckon work at the bank is pretty clogged!!!!
Any news on Dianne?
Carol
I talked with Dianne on the phone yesterday. She doesn't know how long before she can return to her home. It is filled with water. She figures all her plants are gone or destroyed.
She is staying with her mother-in-law, and her family is o.k. She was able to take her animals with her.
Shirley
Lilypon, I will see if Dianne has a mailing address that can be used until she can find a permanent home. New Iberia has a Lowe's Home and Garden Center, an Office Depot, and a Walmart. These same stores would probably be in this area even if she moved to another town.
I will try to organize and get information to help Dianne. I am at my mom's house but hope to get electricity at my own home (175 miles from Dianne's) in Covington so I can return. When I do go back home, I will not have internet service for a while. My area is taking forever to return to civilization. I don't know how long I will be able to help out, but will give it a try.
Johanna
Do you have a phone # for Dianne? Susan isn't too far away and wanted to help. You are going to be into overwhelm...but perhaps Susan can coordinate and be her 'buddy'. I would be honored to be the one who asks, on this forum, for help for Dianne. I am sure she has lost everything!!! Government/Red Cross help can be a long time coming and some needs are urgent. Let us know what we can do!
Flicker...you have any hoyas need be replaced when things settle down? Send me a Dmail and I will see what I can cook up :>)
Trish asked that I DMail Melody http://davesgarden.com/mail/pmail.php?user=melody as to who Dianne's HBuddy will be (it would prolly be a good idea to give her Dianne's current addy as well as current phone #).......Carol you are welcome to take it over.
Johanna (or whoever) it would be so appreciated if you can find out what her immediate needs are (I imagine most of her familes' clothes, etc. were left behind and a gift card (to WalMart, etc. would be appreciated), she may also want some comfort items like a couple of plants, a favorite book, or a replacement for a certain special something that has been destroyed (that some members could mail directly to her current address) . Some items could be covered by the gift card(s).....others may be covered by member(s). Given your circumstances it looks like you will be the first 1/2 of the two HBuddies she will need.
The HBuddy has been collecting the monies to buy the gift card(s) ....... one person needed a bed so Trish collected the money, let the membership know how much money was still needed, and then, when the amount was reached, purchased the card and mailed it. Others have specified clothes, shoes, etc.
This message was edited Sep 26, 2005 7:29 PM
I was sent Dianne's Cell Phone number....and I will call her in the morning and see how things are...what she needs, wants etc. You guys are so terrific!!!! If necessary, I will set up a PayPal account for her in my name (or hers) and maybe that would be the best way to work it if she is online at all.
I would be honored to do this, as I said. Dianne is an extra special woman (obviously a hoyaholic) and we have known eachother for over a year...and I have utmost respect for her...and I care. I'll let you know when I talk to her....
Aloha,
Carol
New Iberia had extensive flooding. This is a picture to give you an idea of what it looks like. Picture from the New Iberia newspaper.
This message was edited Sep 27, 2005 5:58 AM
I just talked to Dianne and we had an awful connection and were cut off. They are OK...but she is in shock. I offered our help and she is just worried about getting horsewoman's refund to her!!! I told her to forget about that and to let us know what she needs/wants immediately. I will call later and see if she can let me know!!!
She said the hurricane was fine...but the winds blue the lake into town!!!
She sounded OK...but very frazzled. Doyathink?
Carol
I've been wanting to help those affected by the hurricanes, and I love this idea of helping someone *directly*, as you just can't be sure what the RC, etc.. is doing with the money/goods.
I've donated a little $ (can't be much) to the person (Julie) mentioned above whom Trish was collecting money for,and plan to send some clothing for one of her boys, and I'd love to donate for Dianne, too.
Carol...Trish just had the $ sent to her PP account and then she took care of the gift card....maybe you could get in touch with her and see how she's handling it?
Definitely let us know what their needs/sizes, etc.. are, and an address if one is available.
We should all start some cuttings for her, then by the time she's ready for them, she may have plants!
Talked to Dianne again. My take is that she is still into emotional/physical overload...she urged people to get in touch with her, she wants to hear from us. Cell phone ;is 337 519 0506....address is 1612 Center St., New Iberia, LA 70560. She said a Gift Certificate to WalMart would be a godsend, they left with 3 days of clothes and that was it!!!
So..Simple and Forward. You can send donations to my PP account. Please mark it FOR DIANNE. I will gather it all up, buy the Gift Certificate and a card and write everyones name in the card. Does that sound OK? If anyone else would like to do this instead of me, that is fine too!!!! In fact, it would be wonderful! Send me a dmail for my account name....tho many of you have it. They have lost everything they own and will probably go back to their house when the water goes down in a month.
Take care,
Carol
Carol is the addy you posted above the address of where she is *currently* living?
Are you still prepared to be her Hurricane Buddy? You already have a paypal account.....the rest would be posting her needs/wants (and her last name).
This message was edited Sep 27, 2005 12:41 PM
Should we figure out what cuttings we want to start for people so that we aren't all rooting the same ones? Maybe have a new thread for this? Just an idea.
Heather
Great Heather...I think that would be wonderful. I am going to start a new one for Dianne....her last name is Landry. That address is where she will be for the next month.
Yes....I will be her Hurricane Buddy. I will try to find out what else she needs...I don't think she has put that together in her mind yet...poor dear.
Thanks, MsKitty...got your contribution!
Carol
I just spoke with Dianne. The area she is in has just been declared a disaster area so federal moneys will start flowing in. It does not sound like very much will be able to be salvaged from their home. She will be in need of about everything to start off with, basically starting from scratch.
Insurance and federal money will only cover a portion of Dianne's loss.
Ok everyone, I am here now too! I spoke to Dianne earlier this evening. She seems to be in good spirits tonight. I offererd to drive to Louisiana to help her but she says she is ok for the time being. The shock of it all must be terrible. Carol and I discussed having the donations sent to my PayPal account as I am closer in proximity to DIanne, but now I am confused....somebody set me straight and get me moving in the right direction, please....
Edited to say....I found the other thread Carol posted....
This message was edited Sep 27, 2005 10:39 PM
wHEW....GLAD YOU ARE ON THE SAME PAGE, sUSAN....WE ARE GONNA MAKE THIS WORK. SO FAR i HAVE ABOUT 150$ TO SEND TO YOUR PAYPAL ACCOUNT FROM DONATIONS TO ME.
Thank you all, everyone, very much.
Carol
Is this still the current addy for Diane?
1612 Center Street
New lberia, La. 70560
Want to send her a card out tomorrow, but want to make sure this is still current.
Tami
Tami,
That is her current address for now.
Shirley