Over the last few days, I Nyquiled myself to relative health and well-being. I would like to shake the hand of Nyquil's inventor. I find that quadrupling the dose when feeling especially under weather really helps the healing process.

Some good news and sad news. Let's start with the sad, since that's probably what everyone is used to on this blog.

Relatively updated Red Cross assessment:
Of the 171,000 homes in the six coastal counties of Mississippi, around 103,000 have either been destroyed or sustained major damage. That number comes from an aerial assessment and does not include those houses that local officials will tag for condemnation and demolition.

Looked at another way, one-third of dwelling in this area have been destroyed. And yet another way, only 16,000 homes sustained no damage at all.

Zooming out to the Katrina affected region, FEMA numbers have about 300,000 people displaced. Of that, only about 100,000 will have the means (insurance, savings, etc) to deal with their own living situation. 200,000 will require FEMA assistance.

I got into these numbers for a FEMA housing article which should be coming out in the Sun Herald tomorrow.


Thinking of happier things:
It is about time to start reckoning for all of the outside help that flooded into the South during the emergency response stage, which is drawing to a close. The thanks go to the other states that chipped in but, even more so, to countries all over the world that contributed. They showed that all of us little monkeys running all over the earth really are connected in a deeply empathetic way.
I would like to push at least this newspaper, and others, to give the recognition that these places deserve. As such, please post here if you know of any municipally-sponsored relief that your town, state or country gave. I will compile the list and try to do something with it.

Here's who I know:
Canada-
Canadian Navy Divers
emergency relief supplies

The Netherlands-
emergency relief and medial supplies

Korea-
emergency relief and medical supplies

Mexico-
Mexican Salvation Army

Greece-
Authorized the use of Greek cruise ships for temp housing

US States
State of Florida-
Miami-Dade Urban Search and Rescue
Florida Fish and Wildlife
Various state, county and city agencies

State of New York:
FDNY
NYPD

Colorado:
City of Carbondale

Indiana:
Various state, county and city agencies

Georgia:
GA Bureau of Investigation(?)

Alabama:
various state, county and city agencies

I'm blanking because I've seen so many trucks and badges over the last four weeks. So please post here if you know of something or you can fill in some details. I'll put it together into that list I mentioned and post it here.
Thanks.