Tornado cleanup

I would do something more like a phone bank. There might be some toxic junk in the water that might not be good for you to be around. Hugs!

I was on 6MP during and after Hurricane Katrina. I spent months and months doing things that should have killed me on an immunosuppressant--and actually did kill other people. My doctor couldn't explain why I escaped the entire ordeal with nothing more than a fleeting case of pink-eye (when I was washing debris-encrusted gravel with my bare hands and pulled off something that I thought was some dirt, but that turned out to be a live slug. After which I no doubt touched my eye. sigh). Looking back, I think I was a total total IDIOT.

Don't risk your health over this. You never know what will turn up in your hands, your face, your lungs. There are lots of ways to help that don't involve serious exposure to toxins. There are people who are reading to groups of children marooned in shelters or helping to give out donations of clothing, food, baby supplies, etc. You can be a huge help without having to expose yourself to serious danger.

Snappy, glad you are ok! I'm also in Alabama. We were very fortunate as the tornadoes hit all around us but nothing in our neighborhood. We are in Madison County and didn't have power for 5 days and ended up staying with relatives in Anniston (since we have 7 kids - we're a newly married, combined family). But from what I understand, your help can be used in all kinds of ways. My CD got worse to where I'm on pain meds and do not trust myself around sharp objects - but I know they need help in areas sorting donations and cooking. If you are on facebook, there's a great group called "Toomers for Tuscaloosa." They are a group that sends out help (and requests help) to all areas of the state. There's even smaller groups that are getting and giving donations for wedding items - for those who lost things for their upcoming weddings! There's so much to do even at local churches. Don't worry about getting out in the "field" to help. I'm just glad my husband can do things through work to help (using large equipment) and even the volunteers are happy to have others volunteer to bake cookies and send drinks. :)

So hello fellow Alabamian! Glad you made it through OK! That was something I NEVER want to go through again!!

thinking of {{{everyone who is affected by the tornadoes and flooding}}}

what do we do to help in the aftermath ? well speaking from the recent experience of two major earthquakes that have literally flattened my city:

- most important is look after yourself so you don't become a liability as emergency services will be stretched to the max and hospitals don't need admissions that could have been prevented ;P
- abstain from uneccesary travel as it impedes emergency services and puts stress on fuel / infrastructure.
- help in your immediate surronding area by offering practical support to neighbours esp the elderly or those without families by making sure they have shelter, clean water and food until civil defence established formal support and utilities are returned.

we have been without sewerage for four months and electricty is still flakey. it is going to be a long time rebuilding and it will never be the same. we talk about the 'new normal' now.

friends who have literally lost everything are very zen and wonder why they needed so much 'stuff' anyway - never fails to amaze me how resilient the human spirit is but that is not to say it doesn't suck and we are not allowed to be sad or annoyed or whatever we want to feel like.

Lesley in NZ

Thanks Noah ... I mean Sniper ;P

just makes me heartsick to see what is happening with the waters flooding now - hope you get lucky for once!