Today I will be publishing a lot of images of the aftermath of hurricane Sandy and how it impacted Crisfield, Maryland. However, the pictures, (5 days later) are just a small part of what residents there have and are still experiencing.
My biggest concern is, what is the local Media actually telling you. You see, I can't answer that question because I've been busy being involved and I haven't had the time to watch the news.
What I can tell you is, shame on President Obama. Shame on Governor O'Malley and shame on our Public Officials for delaying ANYTHING past the first day.
I can tell you that Crisfield did not have an evacuation plan. I don't care what Officials are telling you, Katrina was a storm in which the entire United States MUST have learned from, yet Crisfield is living proof that we did not.
Public Officials need to admit they made mistakes. Citizens need to think long and hard as to who they choose to cast their vote for in upcoming elections because there is NO excuse for the kind of behavior I personally witnessed yesterday.
Residents lived through horror as the tide just kept coming in. Residents survived the storm, (MANY OF THEM) by riding it out on the counter tops in their kitchens.
I was chosen to assess the largest squadron of Crisfield. The gentlemen I walked with going door to door knew each homeowner personally and it was the worst hit area of Crisfield. Many of these homes had two to three feet of water in their home.
Look at the image above. While it's clear that there's a lot of damage, look closer. Look at the bottom half of the couch and you'll see the water level in this home. These people have NOTHING.
Now, we're six day after the storm and guess what, NONE of these people have been told how to properly take care of their homes after the water damage. Oh, a select few made it to the gym last night but to listen to the Mayor tell them what to do, most of them were still sitting in their homes without power, without their windows open, without fans, without MONEY and certainly without help from FEMA.
As we mentioned yesterday, FEMA did a drive by assessment yesterday. Well no crap, these people need help. My hat is tipped to John Phoebus for taking it upon himself to step up to the plate and organize a relief effort. I can't thank ALL of the Volunteers who stepped up to the plate yesterday who walked these communities to help those Volunteers who will show up today and start fixing the majority of homes in Crisfield.
As mentioned earlier, the gentlemen I spent time with asked their friends if it was OK to allow me to come into their homes and take pictures of the damage. I walked in a LOT of homes Ladies & Gentlemen and what these people are living in is completely inhumane. After walking for a very long period of time we returned to the Gym just in time to watch the Mayor pull every one together.
He stated that he wanted every one to know they are doing their best to get cots so some of these families could come live in the Gym until they figure out what to do. Some Families are already living in a shelter in Princess Anne. One elderly woman sitting there with oxygen said, my home stinks really bad. The Mayor responded, you own your home, right? She replied, yes, He said, you need to call your insurance company and let them handle it. WHAT?
Is the Mayor so out of touch that he doesn't realize many of the residents there can't afford home owners insurance. It clearly seemed as if their only concern was for the people living in section 8 housing to get out of their homes so they can condemn those properties. The rumor being spread yesterday was the local officials wanted the condemn these propertied to get rid of them once and for all. The Mayor denied that.
I can tell you first hand, each home I walked in to was so damp, most of the people had not removed their carpet and furnishing. They have no idea what to do and for the most part there really isn't enough help down there to relieve their suffering.
Today I will provide images five days later. These images are NOTHING compared to the first and second day. I spoke to one Police Officer who told me he was so proud of the Volunteers Firefighters who are paid NOTHING to rescue so many Families from their homes during the storm. I truly wish I had the ability to tell this story where it just breaks your heart as mine was broken yesterday. The devastation is so huge, even personally being there I can't describe it other than to say it is completely overwhelming.
I'm telling you that MOST of the people living and working in Crisfield, Maryland need to be removed from their homes. I also happened to be with a section 8 expert as we walked through these communities and he explained the kind of flooring many of these developments had were designed for this kind of situation and the repairs to these government homes could easily be done and they could be done quickly. The REAL problem is the older homes in Crisfield.
I'll add, many cars were totaled from the storm. Remember Folks, these people, (for the most part) had liability insurance only. They have lost their furniture, carpets, appliances, cars, you name it. Many said they couldn't relocate because they depend on public transportation and where they could be relocated has none. So they're stuck loving in mold infested properties that stink like stale bay water.
If there ever was a time we need to come together as brothers and sisters, as community neighbors, this is the time. Again, I'm not sure what the rest of the Media is saying about Crisfield but let me assure you, first hand, I've been there. I've seen it with my own eyes. I've spoken to many people living through this horrible experience and they need all the help they can get.
These are HUMAN BEINGS first. Every day we sit back and debate who may be right or wrong is another day the elderly are stuck in these homes with no place to go. We're seeing the Main Stream Media talk about New Jersey and New York. Let me assure you, Crisfield Maryland is no different from those other places hit hard by hurricane Sandy. Crisfield just isn't New York or New Jersey, so they will never get the kind of attention and relief they deserve.
A comment came in earlier stating almost the same thing. We need to come together and help our brothers and sisters. We need to thank those Volunteers stepping up to the plate. It's Friday, make plans this weekend to drop EVERYTHING and head to Crisfield with blankets, clothing, water, money, physical help.
If you can't get down there, take the time to write Governor O'Malley. Contact FEMA. Contact your Legislators and tell them to STOP campaigning and DO YOUR JOB!
More to come...
