Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Sunday, February 15, 2009

S.O.S. E-mail re: Ice Storm 2009

I am happy to report that the Salvation Army is still feeding us. Here is a copy of the "S.O.S" e-mail I sent last week to family and friends. Perhaps you can help too:

Hello, Everyone,

I'm sending this general e-mail to let you know about the big ice storm of 2009 that devastated this area two weeks ago. I am without power and have been since the wee hours of 27 January. So is everyone else here, unless they have a generator. We hope we will have electricity early next week.

Senath-Hornersville schools opened on the 11th. They have generators and have cleaned the debris from the school grounds. Kennett schools may open tomorrow, 16th.

I rented a laptop Saturday, hence I can send this e-mail. You can read more about my adventures on my "Boggling the Mind" Blog as
I hope to continue to post there.

You can see pictures of the impact to the area sent by viewers of KAIT-TV in Jonesboro, AR, (http://www.kait8.com/). I took pictures but because I am without electricity, I can't post them. Links to local newspapers are on my Hornersville Page (http://mimifink.virtualave.net/Hornersville.html)

However, the purpose of this e-mail is to tell everyone about the way the people in the southernmost counties of Missouri have stepped up to the challenge. Everyone is helping each other and those who may not be able to help even themselves.

We were both blessed and cursed by this storm. We were blessed because, despite the massive damage to trees, there has been very little structural damage, lose of lives, or personal property. However, because FEMA bases its emergency assistance primarily upon those criteria, small towns like mine will receive the minimum of assistance because of little structual damage.

I want to tell you that this ice storm has really impacted the finances of small towns, and it has hit my hometown hard. Therefore, donaions to help cover the cost of the massive cleanup, food and shelter for some residents (especially the elderly and shutins), are needed and will be greatly appreciated.

All the above is being done in the Community Center. The roof has been patched, but it still leaks in placed. It has needed replacing for over three years. The citizens have been raising money, but it needs to be fixed now.

I plan to start posting on my "Mimi at the Movies" Blog as soon as I have a place to charge the laptop other than when I am in the car.

May God bless you and yours,

Mimi

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Ice Storm Fallout

It is now day 19 days since the big storm. I think. Every day is much like the last.

I am still getting a hot meal once a day, fruit and snacks, and ice from the Salvation Army. The Red Cross pulled out over a week ago, but the SA is still here. God bless them and the volunteers in my home town!

Yesterday, I went to a MARC conference at the American Legion building at the County Seat. Filled out a lot of papers, trying to get help to clean up the debris in my yard. We shall see.

When I returned, I noticed that the line hanging down between the pole and my house has been fixed. I think it is the lightning diverter. Also, my outside light was no longer hanging by one chain. It is securely back on the pole. Most important, I found a green sticker on my meter. That means, I am good-to-go!

The word is that we may get electricty about Wednesday. From their lips to God's ears!!

Sunday, February 08, 2009

Ice Storm of 2009

Sorry that I have not posted in over two weeks. The Ice Storm of 2009 roared in 26 January and lasted two days. Power is still off. Everywhere I look there are no standing light poles. 90,000 people were out of power in Missouri alone. About 1/2 of them still are.

I have been following what is happening with the Academy Awards, and shall begin posting on my "Mimi at the Movies" blog as soon as possible.

I live in the house my parents built and almost everything is run on Liquid Propane, but my furnace requires electricity to run the circulating fan. I had a laptop but it went down a few days before the storm and I took it to my tech. He determined the problem is the Motherboard. Three days ago, I was able to retreive it. It is now in wthe hands of UPS going to Temple, Texas, for repair or replacement. Meanwhile, I have rented a laptop and am charging it in my car.

The Red Cross was here, but they have turned over their Meals on Wheels and meals at the local community center to the Salvation Army. If anyone would like to help the people in Missouri and Arkansas, they are being asked to send a check to the Salvation Army and/or the Red Cross and mark their check "Ice Storm 2009 Relief." You may designate a particular state, if you wish. Your contribution is tax deductible, and since almost 1/2 million have been affected in.six states, they will certainly appreciate any donation.

At first, the only heat I had was from my propane cookstove. I have a propane line into my house, so a friend went out and bought me a propane infared wall heater that does not need venting. He hooked it up and I have been toasty warm. I also have hot water, and a telephone (land line and cell), just no power, so I see by a battery-powered lantern and flashlights.

But, everything considered, I am well and functioning. They say it may be at least another week before power is restored. I'll try to keep you posted.