My Blog

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT regarding March sales

03/13/2011 16:14:00

I will be donating 100% of all profits from e-book and paper copy sales in March to the IFRC for humanitarian aid in the Middle East/ North Africa.

Help me bring medical supplies and food to people who desperately need it. Help me end suffering!

Get your copy of the Katrina Diary today at Amazon.com.

Small Groups, Big Difference in Humanitarian Efforts

02/25/2011 15:54:00

Watching the news about North Africa has reminded me of our time during Hurricane Katrina. Of course, our time wasn't nearly as dramatic, but still, one main fact is as clear now as it has ever been-- Small groups have tremendous power.

In the beginning, our news came from whispers and rumors and people passing on information. No one truly knew what was true and what wasn't, but their news seemed to have a lot less spin than the news networks put on stories. Rumors rarely proclaimed to know everything that was going on about a situation. It was often just what one person saw, in one house or in one neighborhood. It had no more or less power than the news-- it was just more pieces of information about what used to be our lives. Taking it all into account gave us a fuller picture though, and we needed that. Similarly, the people in Libya, Egypt, Tunisia using Twitter to give 140 character updates gives a much fuller picture of what's going on. I understand that the whispers heard around the world don't give the full picture, but they are worth listening to. A panel of experts analyzing a situation never has as much visceral truth as a simple statement from someone who is actually there.

Our hope, while sitting, waiting and watching never truly came from announcements on television either. We took comfort from complete strangers commenting on our car's plates and wishing us well. I'll always remember a lady who simply looked me in the eye and asked how I was doing... and listened to my answer. Sometimes that kindness was the highlight of my day. Sometimes it was all we needed to renew our hope and our will not to give up.

Do others in a difficult situation feel the same way? I have no idea, but I hope so. There is a certain desperation that comes from being ignored and forgotten at any time, but it is so much worse when the world is falling to pieces at the same time. It costs nothing to say a few kind, heart-felt words, but I know how it can mean everything to the person who hears it.

And then, of course, there was actual, physical help. FEMA caught a lot of criticism for how hurricane relief was handled, as did a few other major agencies. You know though, we didn't even see FEMA until near the very end of our adventures. They never played much of a role in our story at all. Still, even without them, without the military, without major relief agencies, we managed to not only survive, but to actually LIVE. It was the kindness of people who realized that while they couldn't change everything, they could change small things. Churches put together meals for the evacuees pouring into the city. High school students brought donations of clothing, water and personal hygiene supplies into the fire hall, which was converted into a makeshift disaster relief center. Little old ladies pulled out their checkbooks and purchased gas cards. Schools welcomed the new students. Cell phones were shared so that people could contact their worried families. Whether it was southern grace or actual human kindness, or perhaps a mixture of both, it never felt like it was a Big Deal for these people to be kind and helpful to all of us.

We have our own strengths-- some can fix machinery, some can organize, some can heal and some can bake. We all have resources, from washing machines (a godsend, truly, but a story for another post) to extra boxes of bandages to fully charged cell phones. It's all needed. We cannot change the entire world, but we can change our little corner of it with our own abilities. We can. And we should. It's our duty as humans.

I'd love to hear how you changed the world for one person, or how one person changed the world for you. Email me , tweet @amyrohde, or comment below!

Disaster Preparation Tips

02/20/2011 14:23:00

Every location has the potential for disaster, whether man made or natural. Ensure that you are prepared with these simple disaster preparation tips.

1) Insurance

To come home from an evacuation and find that everything is gone is bad. To know that you didn't have insurance, and cannot replace your belongings is much worse.

Many people think of the big things-- jewelry, computers, major appliances, vehicles-- but neglect to add up what it really costs to replace all of his or her clothing, toiletries, bedsheets, kids' toys, cleaning supplies, food, and so on.

Even if you rent, insurance is very worthwhile. Hopefully you'll never have to use it, but if you do, it's there, and it will save you a lot of heartache.

2)First aid

In times of emergency, 911 may not be available. Learning simple first aid techniques could save a loved one's life, literally. A good first aid kit is great-- know how to use each and every item in it. CPR classes and first aid classes are often available through local hospitals, and are quite inexpensive.

3)Know yourself-- and your contacts

If you have had to evacuate, it's vital that you know what medications you're on and their doses, your allergies, your bank account and insurance numbers, and the contact information of your loved ones. You may not have access to a computer or to your cell phone, so it's a good idea to have it memorized, or have a piece of paper with all of this written down. No pharmacist can help you if you run out of medication and go in looking for "heart pills", and no phone operator can help you find your sister Jane who just got married and you're not sure of which last name she uses.

4)Prepare for the worst, hope for the best, always keep a sense of humor

During a disaster, you will worry-- A LOT. Although it's extremely normal and natural to worry, try to focus on some of the good things that are happening in your life. If all of your family is safe and accounted for, be thankful for that. If something funny happens, it's okay to laugh. Sometimes, all you've got is the fact that you made it through another day. Be happy about it. Be happy about everything you can be happy about.

5) Be neighborly and civilized

Share what you can, and help when you can. It's everyone's responsibility to help each other, especially during difficult times. Understand that you have the power to make a situation better or worse-- and choose to make the situation better.There is nothing to be gained by hoarding, looting (It still amazes me that people were dragging big screen televisions through four feet of water, and expecting them to work...) or even rudeness. Everyone's tired, scared, and frustrated. There is no need at all to make things worse.

Even if you have nothing material to share, a heartfelt "thank you" goes an awfully long way to helping make someone's day better

2011 Hurricane Names

02/20/2011 12:44:00

2011 Hurricane Names

Arlene

Bret

Cindy

Don

Emily

Franklin

Gert

Harvey

Irene

Jose

Katia

Lee

Maria

Nate

Ophelia

Philippe

Rina

Sean

Tammy

Vince

Whitney

This list is the same as the 2005 hurricane name list, with some notable exceptions: Dennis, Katrina, Rita, Stan and Wilma have been retired. They are replaced by Don, Katia, Rina, Sean, and Whitney, respectively.

My other goings on

02/19/2011 19:07:00

Well well well. I haven't updated here lately. I've been sick of weather in all its incarnations. It's nice enough to be outside in shorts and a tee shirt, but still too cold to garden, and I don't like that at all! Harrumph!

In the meantime, I have been keeping myself quite busy with cross stitch design. I've always been fascinated by the human body, and have been making up some (if I do say so myself) amazing cross stitch patterns of anatomy. Neato, huh?

Could there be a new book in the works for me? Me thinks... maybe. Publishing a book with words is one thing, but with charts and floss colors? Hmmm, I don't know. Stay tuned. Until the big yea or nay announcement, you can get a sneak peek of my work at cadaverxstitch.wordpress.com.

Don't be shy!

01/27/2011 16:28:00

This is just a quick note reminding all of you-- no matter who you ended up on this page!-- that I welcome any questions, thoughts, and comments on The Katrina Diary or anything else you have on your mind. My email address is amy.rohde@gmail.com, or you can contact me right here at contact@thekatrinadiary.com.

Just so you know though, I am not interested in meeting $ingles 2nite or cheap v1agra, so please keep those emails to yourselves, mmmkay? Mmmkay, thanks!

The Pantry of Doom

01/14/2011 15:31:00

It's a great idea to have enough food for a few weeks if an emergency happens.

For many people the idea of this is daunting-- how much? What type of food? Maybe most importantly... how much is it all going to cost?

There's no need to go for a special trip to the store to get your emergency cupboard ready. Every time you go grocery shopping, just pick up a few extra things to put in there. One huge shopping trip might be expensive, but picking up a few extra cans of tuna or beans each time isn't going to break the bank.

Someone who wants to start collecting an emergency supply of food would do well to look at four things:

Does it keep well?

Is it nutritious?

Does my family like this particular food?

Do I have a way to prepare this food?

Everyone's situation is different. Someone who lives in an apartment by themselves and is concerned about winter storms will have much different priorities than a family of seven who live in a hurricane prone area. Think about YOUR needs, and YOUR family, and start preparing now.

If nothing else, it'll be worth it to avoid the mad rush at the local megamart when people hear there may be a storm coming. That in itself is a great reason to prepare well ahead of time.

New Pricing!

01/14/2011 14:24:00

Just a quick note to let you know that The Katrina Diary has new pricing at Amazon.

The Kindle edition (US) is now $2.99.

The paperback of the book is now $9.99 and qualifies for free super saver shipping, or will ship for approximately $3.99 on it's own.

Happy reading!

NOAA: Another Winter of Extremes in Store for U.S. as La Niña Strengthens

10/21/2010 19:19:00

This just in from the NOAA today. Between more snow and storms for some, and increased wildfire risk for others, it looks like it's going to be a wild winter!

The Pacific Northwest should brace for a colder and wetter than average winter, while most of the South and Southeast will be warmer and drier than average through February 2011, according to the annual Winter Outlook released today by NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. A moderate to strong La Niña will be the dominant climate factor influencing weather across most of the U.S. this winter.

La Niña is associated with cooler than normal water temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific Ocean, unlike El Niño which is associated with warmer than normal water temperatures. Both of these climate phenomena, which typically occur every 2-5 years, influence weather patterns throughout the world and often lead to extreme weather events. Last winter’s El Niño contributed to record-breaking rain and snowfall leading to severe flooding in some parts of the country, with record heat and drought in other parts of the country. Although La Niña is the opposite of El Niño, it also has the potential to bring weather extremes to parts of the nation.

“La Niña is in place and will strengthen and persist through the winter months, giving us a better understanding of what to expect between December and February,” said Mike Halpert, deputy director of the Climate Prediction Center – a division of the National Weather Service. “This is a good time for people to review the outlook and begin preparing for what winter may have in store.”

“Other climate factors will play a role in the winter weather at times across the country,” added Halpert. “Some of these factors, such as the North Atlantic Oscillation, are difficult to predict more than one to two weeks in advance. The NAO adds uncertainty to the forecast in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic portions of the country.”

Regional highlights include:

Pacific Northwest: colder and wetter than average. La Niña often brings lower than average temperatures and increased mountain snow to the Pacific Northwest and western Montana during the winter months, which is good for the replenishment of water resources and winter recreation but can also lead to greater flooding and avalanche concerns;

Southwest: warmer and drier than average. This will likely exacerbate drought conditions in these areas. All southern states are at risk of having above normal wildfire conditions starting this winter and lasting into the spring;

Northern Plains: colder and wetter than average. Likely to see increased storminess and flooding;

Southern Plains, Gulf Coast States & Southeast: warmer and drier than average. This will likely exacerbate drought conditions in these areas. All southern states are at risk of having above normal wildfire conditions starting this winter and lasting into the spring;

Florida: drier than average, with an equal chance for above-, near-, or below-normal temperatures. Above normal wildfire conditions;

Ohio and Tennessee Valleys: warmer and wetter than average. Likely to see increased storminess and flooding;

Northeast and Mid-Atlantic: equal chances for above-, near-, or below-normal temperatures and precipitation. Winter weather for these regions is often driven not by La Niña but by weather patterns over the northern Atlantic Ocean and Arctic. These are often more short-term, and are generally predictable only a week or so in advance. If enough cold air and moisture are in place, areas north of the Ohio Valley and into the Northeast could see above-average snow;

Central U.S.: equal chances of above-near-or below normal temperatures and precipitation;

Hawaii: drier than normal through November, then wetter than normal December through February. Statewide, the current drought is expected to continue through the winter, with several locations remaining on track to become the driest year on record. Drought recovery is more likely on the smaller islands of Kauai and Molokai, and over the windward slopes of the Big Island and Maui;

Alaska: odds favor colder than average temperatures with equal chances of above or below normal precipitation. The interior and southern portions of the state are currently drier than normal. A dry winter may set Alaska up for a greater chance of above normal wildfire conditions in the spring.

This seasonal outlook does not project where and when snowstorms may hit or total seasonal snowfall accumulations. Snow forecasts are dependent upon winter storms, which are generally not predictable more than several days in advance.

NOAA's National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. NOAA’s National Weather Service operates the most advanced weather and flood warning and forecast system in the world, helping to protect lives and property and enhance the national economy. Visit http://www.noaa.gov.

Hurricane Preparation for Animals

10/21/2010 13:33:00

While I could write up a list of tips for hurricane preparation for animals, I am going to leave this to a subject matter expert.

Dr. James Randolph is a veterinarian who has resided on the Gulf Coast for many years. He has written some excellent articles on hurricanes and pets, and has also shared his story of having a boarding kennel during Hurricane Katrina. He has written better articles on this subject than I ever could. All links open in a new window.

Dog and Cat Hurricane Evacuation Part One

Dog and Cat Hurricane Evacuation Part Two

Mypetsdoctor.com's Hurricane Katrina Story

Dog and Cat Microchips

If you live in a disaster prone area,please take these suggestions to heart for your four legged friends, especially the microchip suggestion. There are too many stories of pets who never made it back home because they were not microchipped-- whether they got out of a back yard or were separated from their owners due to rising flood waters. Prepare for the unexpected-- make an appointment to microchip your pets today.