Hurricane Floyd bashes into the East Coast, leaving in its path flooding of
record levels, death, and destruction. An earthquake and aftershock rock
China. Militia troops are being chased from East Timor because they were no
longer favored. Three events, yet one is, for the most part over in the eyes of the national
news media.
Writing to a newsgroup, DCDave1, a native of New Bern, NC, said he grew up
on "what we used to think of as high ground in Nash County" and later lived
on land in "the recently flooded Stoney Creek Drive in Rocky Mount."
Addressing the newsgroup, DCDave1 said he was forwarding an email from
another North Carolinian from "downstream."
"URGENT!" the email began. "The flood is evolving into a catastrophe of
Biblical proportions!"
Despite several attempts to get through to a Federal Emergency Management
Agency spokesperson concerning the gravity of the situation in the state,
politics drowned out all calls. The operator spoke little English. Fine, so
we speak in Spanish, only to be told no one is available. "When will they be
back?" Who knows, was the summation. One person is at lunch and might not be
back in today. Another person was busy "talking with a supervisor," while
the "PR" (public relations) people wanted a name, telephone number, and best
time to call. The best time came and went twice. A third time trying to get
to the PR people was left in the air, with "one of the people running the
floor" saying that the PR folks are too busy to field phone calls.
According to DCDave1's downstream email pal, "The enormity of the calamity
that has stricken eastern North Carolina is not comprehended by the national
media, federal government officials, or American citizens in general."
At this point, having dealt with the bureaucratic red tape for almost three
hours, trying to just get information to help get realistic information
dispersed, FEMA again, as in the past, fell flat on its face.
As the floodwaters continue to pour from into the eastern part of the state,
corpses are being discovered in buildings, vehicles, and trees. The death
toll, certainly, will continue to escalate until the flood has receded and
the towns are cleaned.
In addition to the bodies, which pose there own biological and health risks
to humans, other risks involved include millions of gallons of animal manure
spilled from the waste pits of mega-hog and poultry farms. Gas station pumps
that have been knocked over with the gasoline now feeding into the flood
taints things even more. The earth is also offering up the coffins of the
dead, though no open coffins have yet been found.
Most of the areas hardest hit were small, poor farming communities, sources
said.
Paula Holt, of Reidsville, said the biggest problem with North Carolina
communities is that the towns are rural, mainly consisting of a local store
and gas station.
Ms. Holt said just as the floodwaters started to return to the river and
creek banks, another wave of torrential rains hit the already devastated
areas. Repairs to buildings and roads were put on hold. More damage is
expected as floodwaters rise again. She said most towns are still without
safe drinking water.
Though personnel from Ft. Bragg, NC were dispatched to help with the flooding, perhaps the U.S. should also be sending in additional teams to aid
residents. Let FEMA distribute the money, but another agency should carry
the reins in helping the North Carolinians.
Ms. Holt said, "There are just so many people that are in need at the moment in North Carolina that officials cannot reach them all."
The disaster, Ms. Holt said during a telephone interview, is so wide spread
it's nearly impossible to find all the victims at present. "Emergency housing that has been set up is still not enough for those in need."
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