Formaldehyde risk found in trailers other than those used after Hurricane Katrina

Used mobile home from the 1990's might mean doing some research before buying

"I live here in the winter months and have decided to spend the rest of the year traveling around the country.  My husband and I are going to buy a trailer and hit the road."  The retired couple at the swimming pool are among the many who seek these options of wintering in warm climate and traveling around the country the rest of the year. But if you are one of those who seek that option, or seek the choice of living in a mobile home full time, you might want to examine some of the risks and do your research on any purchase.

Experts points out there are sufficient risks in purchasing a trailer or mobile home, sufficient for people to ask questions and find out about a particular recreational vehicle or trailer before purchasing.

New Orleans folks have experienced the problems of trailer formaldehyde, but it turns out those who take to the trail, quite independently of storms, may have problems as well. The problem of high levels of formaldehyde have been found in trailers of ordinary folk doing ordinary things, like taking to the road for vacation or a retirement sojourn.

Formaldehyde at some level is found in many places, because it is a chemical used widely in the building industry and is also a by-product of certain natural processes as well. It can be found in substantial concentrations indoors and outdoors, for that reason. It is when those concentrations exceed certain levels, that problems occur, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Particle board used in furniture and cabinets is a major source of formaldehyde in the home.

The National Cancer Institute is concerned about increased cancer risk and the use of formaldehyde, Short term health effects of formaldehyde in the air at levels exceeding 0.1 ppm, some cause health effects for some people that include burning sensations of the eyes, nose and throat, coughing; wheezing; nausea; and skin irritation. It has also been learned that some individuals are particularly sensitive to formaldehyde, while others are not. Those who work in the industries with higher concentrations of it, or who are otherwise exposed to significantly high levels of formaldehyde, having an increased risk of cancer of the hematopoietic and lymphatic systems, according to data published this year in a follow up study.

To reduce the risk of increased level s of formaldehyde, cancer experts maintain folks should inquire about the formaldehyde content of pressed wood products, ensure adequate ventilation in homes and keep moderate temperatures and reduced humidity levels through the use of air conditioning and dehumidifiers. Risks can be reduced by taking special precautions. It's especially necessary for those individuals who have been found to be environmentally sensitive. So experts maintain asking the right questions in advance can be helpful in protecting oneself from the risk of high levels of formaldehyde where they are unsafe.

Most mobile homes are safe as they must comply with environmental regulations when built.  Older homes, however, might require evaluation.  The Environmental Protection Agency offers a report and guide on the manufacture and sale of mobile homes and the environmental standards with which they must comply as well as some of the history of the mobile home industry.

In the meantime, the recreational vehicle and mobile home industry now faces the challenge of examining formaldehyde with increasing complaints as the issues of whether Mom and Dad can hit the road as planned in their later years will be something they need to review by making a decision to buy a mobile home.

Humanitarian relief examined through prism of prayer and the Madman

Jesus offers food, followed by a sermon

"We need to pray for those people and hope other people pray for them as well," the woman spoke of her work at the church, as her friends smiled and nodded, congratulating one another for living in a warm climate and offering their verbal sympathies to those affected by a cold snap and who might be at risk from it.  "We offer prayers weekly for people in need, especially when there is a disaster and they need God's attention."  But how often is prayer used as an excuse to do nothing or to engender belief in a reality where people are looking for concrete help?

After the earthquake in Haiti that killed hundreds of people, fostered disease and left thousands homeless, many people traveled there to offer help.  Some agencies collected money, however there were concerns about the lack of transparency as preliminary accounting offered questions about where some of the money went, when there was insufficient evidence it was used to help people physically.  At the same time church members and ministers flocked to Haiti as well, offering their prayers and faith-based intervention.

One of these people who went to Haiti following the earthquake disaster was Franklin Graham, heir to his father Billy Graham's business of Baptist ministry.  He traveled to Haiti to underline the spiritual message he said he had brought to others after disasters, that God understands your pain.

According to the Christian Post, Graham spoke at a soccer stadium in Haiti and said this, "We pray for you. We pray that God will cover you with His mercy. We know how difficult it is for you as you remember."

Before Christmas Graham had been to Haiti with Sarah Palin, bringing shoe boxes of Christmas gifts.

While conservative talk show hosts say of folks who talk about negative speech in the wake of the Arizona shooting and school shootings that they are simply looking for political opportunity, what of politicians and preachers who arrive saving souls when it's water and food that they need?

Graham went on to say to the people of Haiti following the disaster that created extensive problems that continue to plague the country, "Cholera has come into your country and infected your people. Many have died and many are sick. But sin has affected not only you but the entire human race. The entire human race has been infected and is under the death sentence," explained Graham.

"But if you are willing to receive Christ today by faith, God will forgive you and cleanse you of your sins," he continued. "Will you trust Him today?"

The parallels are scarcely missed in this message, as people went forward after Graham's message, as people all over the world followed Franklin Graham's father, Billy.

But inside the message, equating cholera with sin might suggest to folks cholera visited the people because they were filled with sin. It is a common message that arrives again and again in the wake of human tragedies. It is what Graham said after Hurricane Katrina as well.

This is what USA Today wrote following Franklin Graham's pronouncements after Hurricane Katrina, beginning with the quote from the preacher himself in a speech Graham gave in Virginia: "This is one wicked city, OK? It's known for Mardi Gras, for Satan worship. It's known for sex perversion. It's known for every type of drugs and alcohol and the orgies and all of these things that go on down there in New Orleans. Reverend Graham continued, "There's been a black spiritual cloud over New Orleans for years. They believe God is going to use that storm to bring revival. "

The imagery of sin in the wake of the storm wasn't lost on the people who heard. Right or wrong, the gift of salvation has value for many, but it's hard for the message to stick when it's food and water they need. While Graham and his crew helped after the storm, going into New Orleans to help rebuild churches and give food and shelter to many, the initial remarks set off a firestorm, because the words of salvation came first.

This reporter heard fundamental Christians say just weeks after Hurricane Katrina, as the survivors struggled in the town of Natchitoches before they moved on to other places or back to New Orleans, "They should just get over it and move on with their lives. They should just trust in God as their hope." It was trust and love the victims needed for sure; it was shelter and food, however, these folks needed the most.

Buses arrived at the shelter in Natchitoches during the early days after the storm, taking people to local churches, predominantly white, with white men guarding the doors to prevent any
suggestion of violence, as they watched television screens of New Orleans. People got food, in regular forays, and Bibles and prayer all the time. In fact, they got it before and after the food.

When a few weeks after Hurricane Katrina had passed and people went on with their lives, there was virtually no one taken from the shelter who sat in those churches who continued to worship in them weeks later. For the message of prayer and food put together, with sin didn't stick. The food was enough of a prayer.

The Ebola outbreak in Africa brings the response of the Christian world, again focusing on sin but also the need to protect others from the disease in ways that mean strict quarantines that would allow no one back into a country without a 21-day quarantine if they arrive from an area that has been impacted by the disease and even if they have had no direct contact with an individual who has Ebola. This, according to social and physical scientists say, will only serve to reduce the number of volunteers who arrive to help the people of West Africa, now struggling to contain the disease with limited resources.  But it is direct, physical help of food, clean water and medical supplies that might make a difference:

In the Madman by Khalil Gibran, a Christian himself, is this parable that Christians might ponder in the wake of disastrous events:

"Once there lived a man who had a valley-full of needles. And one day the mother of Jesus came to him and said: 'Friend, my son's garment is torn and I must needs mend it before he goeth to the temple. Wouldst thou not give me a needle?'

And he gave her not a needle, but he gave her a learned discourse on Giving and Taking to carry to her son before he should go to the temple"

As weather disasters and disease outbreaks occur, those affected look to others for help.  Is it prayer they need most or a lecture on sin or on giving and taking, or clean water, food, and safety so that their attention may be on the words that surround deeds that make a difference, as Jesus did with the Sermon on the Mount.

New Orleans art colony shows hopeful disaster recovery

We often recall the worst about an area following a weather disaster and seldom learn what happens later, after the worst has past and recovery has occurred.  So here's the story of how one area of New Orleans has bounced back from one of the most high profile disasters every to hit that city.

When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, it hit the artists hard.  People who make their living on the streets, selling art out in the open found it difficult after the wind and rain made it impossible to work.

And the tourists were afraid to return, even as the artists had difficulty making a living, as they made their living from people who visit New Orleans for just plain fun or part of a forum or conference.

The tourists came back, however it took some time before that happened in earnest.  And now a few years later, where are the artists and what is happening now?

Around Jackson Square the artists are back, but not like they were in those good old days. Some of these old-timers are the survivors who hope for better days ahead even as they mourn those good old days that at the time of the flooding of the city seemed just a long ago hope.

According to an artist named "Babs" those good old days meant artists with style whose paintings were on demand as visitors walked around Jackson Square, lingering here and there for a look. These days, however, the artists have to share their space with tarot carot readers who come and go while luring tourists with their tricks.

This oldest art colony in America stands out for its uniqueness. Artists
obtain licenses from city hall on an annual basis. For years the only
way an artist could set up around the square was to be recommended by
another artist. Now it is a first-come, first-served basis, with annual
identification and licenses available every January. This allows the
city to have some semblance of authority with the artists, who have
become part of the merchant culture on Jackson Square. 

For years, the artists and fortune-tellers quarreled over spots along the fence, at various times having serious and audible quarrels. These days a peaceful
truce exists, haven taken place sometime between the late 1990's and the days after Hurricane Katrina. The artists line up on the front and sides of the
square; the fortune tellers and musicians occupy the section in front of
St. Louis Cathedral and the Cabildo, sharing their spots with a
sprinkling few of artists on both corners. They can also be seen in the
art galleries that abound through the Quarter.

The art colony of New Orleans underlines its place in history.  It has been connected with tourism over many years.  Artists recall its tenure and its culture with both affection and disdain for the life of never knowing each day if one will win or lose a customer.  It is a hard scrabble life at times, with the money flowing when times are good and wasting away when it is bad.

When the oil economy is booming, artists have made good money.  These days, however, it is literally a wonder that many of them survive with the cost of living as it is these days.

Yet the art colony's survival at all is a testament to recovery itself.  The hurricane came and went and the memories remain.  So do many of the artists, many who drifted away, then drifted on back.  It was a habit that could not be broken.

Just like the city of New Orleans itself, the resilience of the artists demonstrates the authenticity of courage, as people find a way to make it work, make home again, wherever that is in some flood-driven or fire-torched place somewhere or a historic city like New Orleans.  People find ways to survive and live again as they once did---or at least try.

The hopeful know the art colony will always be part of the French Quarter and the future of New Orleans, whether in good times or bad.

The artists, like others, continue to say, "Let the good times roll, and hopefully I can be part of it."

Handyman response to water damage example of good service, human kindness

[caption id="attachment_21133" align="alignleft" width="225"] Larry Alfieri, good service[/caption]

Carol Forsloff----At a time of hurricanes, floods, wind storms of all kinds and weather disasters everywhere, it's difficult to get construction done, given the numbers of people and structures affected, unless you are lucky enough to live in the Beaverton-Hillsboro Portland, Oregon corridor and you know Larry Alfieri.

Nothing can bring the holidays down in mood and direction than a water tank break. Add to that a cold snap with rain already and snow in the offing, and a condominium with limited space becomes even more uncomfortable with belongings everywhere and clean clothes at a premium. Insurance company promises and delays are one thing, but finding the right people to help at the right time can also be an issue, especially when many people need repairs or upgrades, as the Christmas holidays approach.

A visit to a local hardware store brought a valued name of a valuable “handyman” whose title should be much more, given his all-around skills. This Do-All name that is the monikker of the man's business outlines the real facts. He does it all and well.

Humanitarian approaches to services means a focus on real needs and having real concerns about a customer and the problems faced when a call is made, especially when it's urgent. So a handyman who does repairs is often the only individual outside of an insurance company representative that folks can interact with regarding their feelings and concerns when there is a household disaster. While neighbors may rally for support, the real thrust of help comes from where the money and work flows, as that often means the future for individuals and families.

[caption id="attachment_21134" align="alignright" width="300"] Water damage clutter[/caption]

In areas along the East Coast, impacted by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, people still wait for help. In New Orleans it has taken people many years to recover economically from Hurricane Katrina, and construction delays and fraud was everywhere for months, if not years, leaving people to manage their feelings of depression and anger in sometimes desperate ways. But how about finding something or someone good, who knows how to meet the crisis and do the right thing, just because it's the right thing to do? That's the Larry Alfieri model. Having the skills to repair construction damage is important, but the people skills needed to support folks impacted by the damage is also very important, and sometimes lacking, as folks look for serious help when problems occur.

The bedroom closet where the water heater broke is nearing completion, even as clothes and belongings remain scattered everywhere, which will be part of the clean up process faced by the condo occupants. But the process of correcting the damage from the water offers information about not just the work itself by how to do it well, in a manner others might use as an example, as the work unfolds in phases. And in a year fraught with difficulties, as has occurred with the occupants of the condo with water heater damage, having someone whose gifts of service and helping others around to correct the problems can be a blessing, and a real symbol of what being good to others really means.

WMO advances need for disaster intervention for persons with disabilities

[caption id="attachment_6147" align="alignleft" width="300"] Hurricane Katrina flooding - wikimedia commons[/caption]

WMO and JHA Ed--As  natural disasters and conflicts in local areas brings displacement and personal travail, the World Metereological Organization offers insight into the needs of persons living with disabilities, who are particularly vulnerable to disaster.  This is particularly important due to the impact of climate change.

WMO joins with the global community in marking the International Day for Disaster Reduction 13 October, which this year focuses on living with disability and disaster. An estimated 15% of the world’s population lives with some form of disability. The U.N. Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) said its new global survey showed why persons living with disabilities die, or are injured, in disproportionate numbers in disasters.

“Whether in multi-hazard prone United States of America or Bangladesh, earthquake-prone Italy or flood-prone Thailand, people living with disabilities across the world say they are rarely consulted about their needs and only 20% could evacuate immediately without difficulty in the event of a sudden disaster event, the remainder could only do so with a degree of difficulty and 6% would not be able to do so at all,” said UNISDR.

If given sufficient time, the percentage of those who could evacuate with no difficulty rises from 20% to 38% but 58% feel they would still have either some, or a lot of, difficulty while 4% would still not be able to evacuate, according to the survey. Over the last 30 years natural disasters took the lives of over 2 million people. Almost 90 percent of such disasters, more than 70 percent of the casualties and almost 80 percent of the economic losses were caused by weather-, climate- or water-related hazards such as tropical cyclones, storm surges, heat waves, droughts and floods.

Disaster risk reduction is therefore one of the top priorities of the Global Framework for Climate Services to provide accurate, user-driven climate services around the world. National Meteorological and Hydrological Services play a vital role in protecting life and property through weather forecasts and early warnings. Improvements in early warning systems and preparedness have allowed significant reductions in casualties.

Advances in mobile technology are helping to strengthen early warning systems, giving people – including those living with disabilities – vital additional time to evacuate or take precautions in the event of a disaster. The meteorological, disaster risk reduction and information technology communities will continue to cooperate in future to protect the lives of the most vulnerable in our society. As a new potential disaster looms in India with an approaching weather disaster anticipated to be as devastating as Hurricane Katrina, having plans in place for the vulnerable can be especially important.

Portland has the blues real good

[caption id="attachment_15578" align="alignleft" width="300"] Buddy Moss Green, the type of image of the blues given in the music history of the play[/caption]

It was a balmy evening in Portland, Oregon on Sunday and at the local downtown theater was a performance based on the blues  that made folks want to dance, sing and celebrate, as the crowd was doing tonight.

Portland, Oregon inherited a number of jazz musicians from New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. As a result, it now has a solid fan base for jazz. Every summer Portland has a major jazz concert and is known to be one of the best venues for jazz on the West Coast.   That's because that fan base extends to almost everyone who appreciates good music in the authentic way it is performed in New Orleans. That city, of course, birthed many of the blues musicians, and is often the topic of songs that are identified with blues and jazz.

It Ain't Nothin But the Blues played to a packed audience at Portland Center stage Sunday night. This was its final performance in the town. The play looks at the history of the blues from its African roots and continues the thread of discovery through mountain music and those other music forms that are derived from the blues and gospel identified with African-Americans. But the musical.   But the play makes sure that folks recognize the blues as a form of musicthat belongs to everyone. Even so, its heart beats in the black culture of America

A fine cast that included Mississippi Charles Bevel, Eloise laws, Sally Mayes, Sugarray Rayford, Chic Street man, Jennifer Leigh Warren and Trevor Wheetman presented the kind of performance that brought the audience to a standing ovation several times.   Classic favorites included Danger Blues, Black Woman, Child of the Most High King, St. Louis woman, Sweet home Chicago, and Crawling King snake as well as rendition of Good night, Irene in a rocking blues form. Many other songs rounded out the program that gave the audience an opportunity to see some talented performers sing these traditional songs in ways that were thrilling to the audience and blues fans. A standout performance by Jennifer Leigh Warren of Strange Fruit showed serious skill of the vocals in this musical. The rest of the musicians were of the same category of wonderful

So if you're in a town where It Ain't Nothin' But the Blues is offered, waste no time to get a ticket for one of the best performances you will find anywhere, and the joy of listening to your favorite blues songs by some of the best musicians around.

Jindal, Landrieu issue emergency plans for Tropical Storm Lee

[caption id="attachment_8670" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Tropical Storm Lee"][/caption]

Carol Forsloff - Mitch Landrieu, Mayor of New Orleans has recently announced an emergency situation in New Orleans, in anticipation of Tropical Storm Lee’s arrival through the Gulf Coast this weekend.  Governor Bobby Jindal has reiterated warnings for citizens to be vigilant and prepared in 10 Louisiana parishes.

In a take-charge presentation, Landrieu tells New Orleans residents that nursing home residents and other vulnerable populations will be cared for and that key agencies are preparing themselves to deal with any emergencies caused by anticipated flooding.  Weather experts anticipate 20 inches of potential flood waters in areas of the city.

Bobby Jindal has declared a state of emergency for 10 of Louisiana parishes.  The Governor’s office issued a press release from Jindal where he observes,, “”This storm system is currently parked in the Gulf, meaning we expect it to drop a significant amount of rain totaling 10 to 15 inches in some areas and up to 20 inches in isolated areas. The system is expected to affect South and Southeast Louisiana with the most rainfall, however many areas that are susceptible to backwater flooding are also expected to be impacted by the high rainfall.

“The National Weather Service told us that the center of this storm system is very broad, unlike the narrow center you see in a hurricane formation. This is what they call a ‘hybrid’ system with rain and some bands of tropical storm force winds with squalls spinning out of the center. Rainfall is expected in Louisiana through Tuesday night, including some tropical storm force winds and the potential for tornadoes. Tides could be 2 to 5 feet higher than normal.”

The following parishes are under a state of emergency as the storm is poised to strike the coast.  These are:  10 parishes have already issued their own declarations, including:
• Terrebonne
• Lafourche
• Jefferson
• St Charles
• Vermilion
• St John
• Tangipahoa
• Assumption
• LaSalle
• St. Tammany

Much concern has been voiced about the status of New Orleans levees as it faces new flooding threats.  In May the New Orleans Times-Picayune wrote that the levees have a failing grade if river floods are greater than the design heights of the Mississippi River levees and levees on both the east and west banks of the city.

While officials believe the new pumping system and other protections will ensure the safety of the city from the type of flooding that occurred following Hurricane Katrina, Levees. Org. remains watchful.  The advocacy group continues to highlight the major problems of levee construction and stabilization for the United and as critical for the city’s long-term safety, even as a storm is imminent that may not impact New Orleans with the level of severity occurring after Hurricane Katrina.

Witness Protection Program as refuge for N.O. detective

[caption id="attachment_7085" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Danziger Bridge"][/caption]

A detective involved with the Danziger Bridge shooting decided to open up to authorities,  and there is speculation whether he can be hidden  in the witness protection program for testifying about police shooting of  innocent people who were seeking  help during Hurricane Katrina.

Wbrz.com relates the story of a conversation that occurred between Sgt. Robert Gisevius and a former detective who had been cooperating with the FBI, where the detective speculated about what was going to happen to him after the trial.   Gisevius is also said to have wondered if a “weak link could sink the ship,”  in reference to Sgt. Arthur Kaufman who had agreed to speak with federal authorities about what happened the night of the shooting.

While Casey Anthony, recently released from jail after being declared not guilty in the death of her two-year-old daughter, Caylee, has gone into hiding, according to media reports, witnesses who testify on behalf of the government can be protected under a special program called the Witness Protection Program.  This has some similarities to Casey’s assistance from her lawyers and others to hide her from angry people who may be outraged enough to harm her following the controversial verdict.  Her security, however, is not the same as the type the government affords for witnesses.   Whether that lifetime security will be available to a police officer in the case of the policeman involved in the Danziger Bridge incident that occurred in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina may only be speculative on the part of those who talk about it now.

The Witness Protection Program is a service that protects witnesses in special, major criminal cases from intimidation and harm.  It is a security program that allows the person to be given a new identity and place to live.  It not only applies to witnesses but close family members as well.  The evidence the witness provides must be substantial and related to a major felony.  If a witness’ life is threatened after giving such testimony, witness protection can be offered.

Some of the people who have been given witness protection are known criminals.  It may be surprising to learn that crooks are protected by the government when they give testimony aiding the prosecution in a case, but that evidence they provide has to be substantial, as the cost of protection is considerable.

Naked Law has examined the Witness Protection Program and observes that whereas the US marshals maintain that no one under their security has been harmed, the problem arises when a witness moves outside the rules that are set forth in the program.  That program requires the witness not contact others, return home or be involved with past acquaintances or even family members.  The website also points out that 14 states have witness protection programs and despite the promise of security a number of witnesses have been harmed.  Naked Law cites Colorado where at least 16 witnesses in the state’s witness protection program have been killed.  Furthermore the conditions for security are not the “Club Med” type of environment, but that it does provide 24 hour security.  Unlike television dramas, witnesses are not required to change their appearance or fake their death in order to receive protection.

The policemen in the Danziger bridge trial may have been under duress in the trial, but the Witness Protection Program has strict parameters for an individual to be included and no guarantee that any given individual will receive that protection in exchange for testimony unless there has been strong evidence provided, threats against the witness' life and a previous agreement for that protection.

Midwest weather emergencies, Hurricane Katrina and the 'blame game'

[caption id="attachment_4647" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Super cell"][/caption]

Carol Forsloff - Weather emergencies remind us that many people in the United States are not far from disaster, which is reminiscent of Hurricane Katrina and the accusation that the people of New Orleans were somehow at fault for living in a dangerous area.  What has been found, however, is that the citizens of that great city are no more responsible for the tragedy that befell them 5 ½ years ago than the people of Joplin, Missouri, recent victims of a major tornado.

After Hurricane Katrina struck the great Louisiana flagship city, New Orleans struggled with its reputation.  Media images of African Americans clinging to life from rooftops mixed with other images of youth wearing sagging pants banging on the windows of jewelry stores were shown regularly in a way that seared the drama into the consciousness of many.  Those images, however, did not tell the story.  The real story came with the information about neglected levees and lack of government responsibility in making sure safety promises were kept concerning promised protection by the Army Corps of Engineers.  People were secure in their belief the government and the levees would not fail.

But that failure in fact did happen to the detriment of many New Orleans residents and the reputation of that city even now when many people still believe residents themselves were in part responsible for their own misfortunes.

In recent weeks formal recognition has been made of the two levee breach sites, the 17^th Street Canal and the Industrial Canal, as a reminder that New Orleans citizens have had to struggle for years to cope with a weather tragedy that will forever remain part of the history of their great city.

Tomorrow, May 26,  Levees.org and Council Vice President Arnie Fielkow of New Orleans will hold a short press conference to announce several updates regarding Levees.org’s nomination of two major levee breach sites - the 17^th Street Canal and the Industrial Canal (east side north) – to the prestigious National Register of Historic Places.

Confirmed to attend is City Councilmember Jon Johnson for District E, Scott Hutcheson, Advisor in Cultural Economy to the Mayor of New Orleans (who will speak on behalf of the Mayor) , and Charles Allen, III, director of the New Orleans Office of Coastal and Environmental Affairs.

Last August, with the Lower Ninth Ward as backdrop, Levees.org first announced that the Louisiana State Office of Historic Preservation had determined that it believed that two levee breach sites may be eligible for inclusion on the National Register.

Last week, before a crowd of over 100 people, Levees.org unveiled a Louisiana State Historic Plaque near ground zero of the London Avenue Canal breach site in the Gentilly neighborhood of New Orleans.

The plaque is also a reminder of the pain and tragedy that others will face without levee protection, which means many areas of the country.  The people of the Midwest will experience for months, if not years,  the grief from severe weather tragedies.   For the people who as a result of Hurricane Katrina have had to battle first the elements and then the prejudices, it is also hoped that the blame game might end with the recogntion that weather emergencies happen and the failure is in not ensuring people are given adequate warning and proper protection when they occur.

Mental health New Orleans biggest problem post-Katrina

PRN - GHN Editor -NAMI, the nation's largest mental
health organization, looks at the City of New Orleans and its recovery
issues and refers to it as a
"mental health disaster."


It has been five years since
Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast taking with it the homes, jobs,
health and even lives of thousands of people.



The rebuilding of New Orleans and
the rest of the Gulf Coast continues to take place, with professionals
examining the consequences of that storm at the time and now five years
later.



Television specials deal with
replays of Hurricane Katrina, the major storm of two that hit the Gulf
Coast in 2005.  Flooding of New Orleans came after the critical hit of
the hurricane had passed, and the levees were breached due to design
failures and flooded the city.  It took nearly five years for that
determination to be made by a judge regarding the Army Corps of Engineers failures to take care of the levees as mandated by law.



The National Alliance on Mental
Illness (NAMI) is looking at how the children have fared.  This
organization's evaluation follows the Kaiser survey, where residents had varying opinions on how much conditions had improved in tangible areas such as medical care and housing.



Housing and medical care are
fundamental to mental health, so NAMI has followed up Kaiser's surveys
of New Orleans residents to examine the impact on mental health after
these five years.



USA Today had already reported children from Katrina to be five times more likely to have severe emotional problems.



NAMI sees the problems as having compounded from the problems related to the hurricanes Katrina and Rita.



"New Orleans is a bell weather," said NAMI Executive Director Michael J.  Fitzpatrick.



"Deep structural problems exist for mental health services and housing throughout the region."



"The BP oil spill and the national
economic crisis are factors that need to be added to the equation. The
total impact is a mental health disaster."



Other organizations have made similar findings.  For example an Institute of Medicine meeting held in New Orleans maintained mental health problems continue to predominate the problems of the area.  



A press release
from NAMI states nearly 183,000 adults have serious mental illness in
Louisiana but less than 20% are receiving treatment.  49,000 children
also have serious mental health issues, and treatment is wanting for
them as well.



The foundation for mental health,
observed by NAMI, are impacted by Kaiser survey findings that only about
half of New Orleans residents see improvement in medical care and
housing and nearly 70% believe America has forgotten them.



"Americans must not forget
challenges in the Gulf region," Fitzpatrick said. "Mental illness does
not discriminate. It can strike anyone at anytime. As a nation, we need
to help each other."