Mon 11/5/2007 

Yesterday, I used the computer at the hotel and it gave error messages after I typed a long message--Oh well. Things are starting to wind down.  Other have been let go but they wnat me to stay until the end.  I changed my mind and told them I wanted to go home by Nov. 14th. There have been over 500 thousand evacuated in San Diego---the largest in US history.  Many are sleeping in their cars or are tenting on their property.  Yesterday a 88 year old who was sleeping in her car came in because she was hungry.  We gave her some food and some loaded credit cards but she refused motel.  She was living in a trailer but they wouldn't let her back in yet.  Also, a lady came in wanting an inhaler which we would provide but when I listened to her chest she had pneumonia . I got her in to see a doctor. A lot of people whose house didn't burn down have a bunch of ashes and smoke to contend with.  Many have respiratory conditions. I have newspaper clippings but I have been here in the assistance center seeing people who are sick.  Sometimes I get to go out with a home visiting team on other disasters and do get some pictures.  Actually the Red Cross frowns on picture taking.

Yesterday I sent you a large email but I don't think you got it because it came up with an error message when I tried to send it. I think it was because it was too long and I type slow. It is ok to share anything that I send to you. It's slowing up here at the client assistance center. Roads are opening.  If people's work places didn't burn they are getting back to work. We still have a lot of services here. The Red Cross has health services,feeding,help with clothing and essential household goods. Salvation Army fills in with money that we can't give them. Others such as IRS,DMV,tax advisors, rebuilding workshops, food stamps are still here.  I told them I would like to go home on 11-14. We'll see. Hope things are going ok with you.

Our hero Susan was called to duty once again within one month to help victims of natural disaster. Now Susan is helping victims of disastrous flood in Tahoma, WA area. We just received an E-mail from her with permission to publish it in our Website:

Hope everything is ok with you. I know that is a message from you but I was not able to retrive it -- maybe later. I get a different assignment each day. Yesterday was my demise. as a supervisor, I need to also close cases before we leave a job--they want us out by the 19th or 20th. Well, that meant that I was to be in a computer room all day. With my computer phobia, that didn't work too well. So I am out in the field where I like it. I'll have to address my lack of the computer later if I am to stay with the Red Cross.

The rural area is still filled people stressed in feet of mud. They have to use small shovels for the mud in their houses because it is so heavy.

Also it is very contaimated that they have to get new pots and pans because of the disease that learks even if washed. We are doing our best.

Cars are buried in mud. FEMA will only give $28,800 even for a farm that is worth at least $400,000 to $500,000 and has been in the family for generations. Of course , I have ruined my shoes from the mud. Most of these people are proud and very hard workers. There was a very big tractor replacing a bridge to get to a farm. There was an 80yr. old lady driving it.

Instead of outreach to the homes, tomorrow I'll be in a service center where the people come in to us for assistance. At least, it will be warm.

Take care. Susan

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