Help for Ocean Springs

Great idea Marc. The only problem is that probably no one will be allowed in for at least another week if you don't live there. We have a house in Pass Christian that we don't know if its still there. It is/was only 2 blocks from the beach. Haven't heard from tami or Jay except that they left probably Saturday. Their house is pretty high, lets pray it was high enough. I'll keep checking the tcdyc for any changes.

Clayton

Tami & Jay are Ok, their house may not be, the Edderer's stayed and their house is almost certainly toast, but no confirmation yet. If anyone has heard from mark please post it here or at TCDYC.com.
Our offer of help will be good whenever it is needed, and possible.

David Beale left a message on Mark Smith's voice mail - his house was completely flooded. Eric Tirell has a loaded truck on the way into OS right now - he will be coming back to Pensacola either with people (which I think is best) or with a list of supplies needed. Eric has a construction pass, so is able to move in and out of the area. We (Mark Smith, Kirk Newkirk, Kevin Rejda and me) are standing by with gasoline (including Kirk's 200-gallon jet-ski supply trailer), water and ice for a caravan as soon as we know where to take it. We're hoping, though, that people are more willing to evacuate to our area for at least a little while - this is far worse that Ivan was last year, and I can tell you from experience, the folks that lost everything were much better off getting out of town for a few days. I sent my wife and daughter to my parents house for two weeks until the power was back on. In this case, entire homes may be gone, and getting out of the region until some semblance of normalcy can be established is so much better than trying to gut it out. While I was working on cutting up trees and patching our roof last year, Leah was able to file our insurance claims, contact family and friends, and take batter care of herself and our daughter by getting out of the affected area.

More info when I hear something back from the recon. Keep praying.

John,

Did David reveal the whereabouts of the Edderers?

Bob

If y'all are really going to go over there with 200+ gallons of gas and ice and water... I hope you each take a gun with plenty of ammo. Back in '92, I went thru this in S. Florida. I had a full choke 12 gauge and 2 fully loaded 45s. Here's the mindset: if you have to hesitate for just a split microsecond on what to do, you should not go. You should be ready and able to protect yourself without hesitation. Words and advice from someone who already has the tshirt.
I fear for your safety. Let the National Guard come in and return some order to the streets. I know we all want to help. Going now will just add to the problems.
Bob

I am glad to Tami and Jay are ok. Has anyone heard from Bob Hodges?

I 2nd Bob's comment, I would be very careful.

Amen Bob!! While good intentioned, your efforts and safety would be better directed towards helping out the Red Cross or any other charity you see fit.

My Thoughts are truly with anyone that has been affected by this Massive Tragedy. Please Take care and stay safe!!

Finally spoke with Beale last night via Nextel walkie-talkie - he and the Edderers are fine, but very dirty and tired. The Edderers stayed with Mark's mother over off Washington - her house weathered the storm very well. Mark and Helene's beautiful waterfront home is a total loss. David said that during the storm, he climbed on top of his truck until it was swept away, so he climbed on his roof until it was swept away, and he ended up on a neighbor's roof. He said his skin is crawling he's so dirty, and is looking forward to finding someplace to get a shower. The sailors are going to pow-wow this morning and try to come up with a plan. Mark has tracked down all his employees and talked of re-opening the plant, but as the day progressed, it became more evident that power will be out for quite some time to come.

A caravan of 22 trucks left Pensacola with food, water and portable showers this morning headed for Ocean Springs and Gulfport. Pensacola hasn't forgotten the help we got in our time of need last year.

Eric is headed back again today with a couple of generators and gas - David will be calling me back this morning with the results of their pow-wow. I hope they consent to temporary relocation.

More info as I get it.

That's great news to hear Dave, Mark and Family are okay. Thank you so much for keeping us informed.

CNN had aerial shots of the US 90 bridge (if you could call it that now) from Ocean Springs to Biloxi. Not much left but the pilings.

The shot was too high to really see the area where OSYC used to be, but there was a dark blue spot (water?) at the base of the bridge.

We won't see shots like this again for a very long time:

Beale is going to come back to P'cola with Eric today. Mark and Helene have gone to Bay St. Louis to try and find her parents. The rest of the Edderer clan has been collected at Mark's mom's house, and will be discussing a temp relocation to P'cola upon Mark's return. Looks like the relief train may become an evac train. It took over two months to get power back up on P'cola Beach after Ivan, and over a week to get steady supplies coming in. Things appear much worse in Mississippi this time. So far, no sailor casualties - prayers answered!