Could fizzle out like Rita... Rita was supposed to be much worse.

If you live in Cameron Parish, Beaumont, Jasper... Rita was plenty bad enough.

Regardless this is not a matter that should be taken lightly by any means. If this is a Cat 4,3,2,1,tropical storm.. who cares damage still will be made... flooding still will occurr ( coming from the person whos region is flooded bc of tropical storm tammy dropping 7 inches of rain in 2 days) and 13 ppl have already died. Dont take the matter lightly obviously u were in a coma for the last month and havent seen the news on the destruction a cat 3 can do.

Yeah, it could have been like the earthquake in Pakistan -- 79,000 dead. Bummer! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Rita

Could fizzle out like Rita? What planet are you on? I've lived here 60 years and NEVER seen so much damage in my life! The contractors who are here said we have more damage than either Charlie that hit Florida last year or Katrina which hit New Orleans. Granted--we evacuated so loss of life was minimal, but try living with no electricity when its 104 degrees outside! We don't sit around and cry so we haven't gotten much publicity, but its much worse than the news has let on. We have damage to our house, our truck, our trailer, and are still dealing with 12 foot piles of trees and branches in our front yards. PLEASE don't minimalize this storm--we are suffering here! And no one seens to care. It should be noted that Jefferson and Orange counties in Texas are heavily Democratic while Lake charles (53 miles from here) is Republican. Lake Charles is getting help and we're not. Go Figure!

Fizzle out??? Tell that to all of my friends who are still unable to live in their homes. My house alone suffered "minimal" damage compared to others and that was over $20,000.00 worth of damage. No it was not a Katrina but if you people are never going to care about another hurricane unless it measures up to Katrina then we have a problem. God bless everyone of the hurricane victim's this year.

It should be noted that Jefferson and Orange counties in Texas are heavily Democratic while Lake charles (53 miles from here) is Republican. Lake Charles is getting help and we're not. Go Figure! ++++++++ Kinda like Orleans Parish ( mostly democrat) got help before St. Bernard Parish ( most republican ) huh ? How about St. Tammany ( mostly republican) got help wayyyyy after Orleans ( mostly democrat) ? Who gets help and when they get help has nothing to do with the political make up of the city. I know for a FACT that the National Guard has been running from New Orleans to your area almost on a consistant basis. I am the last person they see before heading out on that mission.

I'm not sure where you are from but you apparently haven't been through a hurricane. I live an hour north of Lake Charles and we thought that it wouldn't give us much more than a little rain. I was TERRIFIED. I stayed in my house through the whole thing and then for another two days with no power or water until I finally left to find some relief. It was over 100 degrees in my house with no water to be able to take a shower and no breeze outside. I was one of the lucky ones that didn't get very much damage to my house, but some people lost everything. Our family cabin at Holly Beach (which was there since Hurricane Audrey took out the last one) was a total loss. Many of my friends and family had major damage to their houses but no one was killed. I guess that is why you don't see anyone trying to help Hurricane Rita victims (even though FEMA isn't helping or Red Cross for that fact). I am sick and tired of only hearing "give to Hurricane Katrina relief". Everyone (including ABC) is acting like Hurricane Rita didn't exist. Rita was a much stronger hurricane and did just as much damage but you don't hear about that because we (Hurricane Rita survivors) aren't whining like the people from New Orleans did. We helped each other and helped ourselves. It has shown a lot of us just how much we can count on the government for help -- NOT AT ALL.

I'm not sure where you are from but you apparently haven't been through a hurricane. I live an hour north of Lake Charles and we thought that it wouldn't give us much more than a little rain. I was TERRIFIED. I stayed in my house through the whole thing and then for another two days with no power or water until I finally left to find some relief. It was over 100 degrees in my house with no water to be able to take a shower and no breeze outside. I was one of the lucky ones that didn't get very much damage to my house, but some people lost everything. Our family cabin at Holly Beach (which was there since Hurricane Audrey took out the last one) was a total loss. Many of my friends and family had major damage to their houses but no one was killed. I guess that is why you don't see anyone trying to help Hurricane Rita victims (even though FEMA isn't helping or Red Cross for that fact). I am sick and tired of only hearing "give to Hurricane Katrina relief". Everyone (including ABC) is acting like Hurricane Rita didn't exist. Rita was a much stronger hurricane and did just as much damage but you don't hear about that because we (Hurricane Rita survivors) aren't whining like the people from New Orleans did. We helped each other and helped ourselves. It has shown a lot of us just how much we can count on the government for help -- NOT AT ALL.

Roseangel, are you sure FEMA isn't helping the victims of Hurricane Rita? I can't speak with any authority about what is happening in the Lake Charles area, but I know FEMA has been a presence here in South Florida. Yesterday they drove through my neighborhood and distributed flyers informing people of the types of aid that were available. I called them, and was easily able to get through. I didn't have to wait on hold or navigate through a complex voice messaging system, and I was treated courteously and professionally. People in Florida aren't whining either, and I certainly don't want any handouts. But it's nice to know the government is available to offer a helping hand when needed.

According to the Rita Recovery Information for Lake Charles at http://www.cityoflakecharles.com/info.asp?cid=22 , it gives operation Blue Roof locations and I thought that was FEMA/Federal. Also it says this: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are asking residents in parishes where hurricane removal work is in progress, as assigned by FEMA and managed by the Corps of Engineers, to separate items to facilitate efficient removal. On the Lake Charles site, a page at http://www.cityoflakecharles.com/news/newsview.asp?nw=1278 (entitled: Important Information on FEMA Denial Letters) states: Some residents filing for FEMA assistance may be getting the wrong message after receiving a letter from FEMA. Any applicant who gets a letter from FEMA that indicates their claim was denied because of insurance coverage should contact their insurance agent and ask for a "delay of settlement" letter. A copy of that letter should be mailed to FEMA. So FEMA is doing things in Lake Charles, but the questions are: Is FEMA doing enough? and Is FEMA being blamed for the failures of local and state entities? After Katrina hit, the media was filled with everyone from the normal, everyday people to Celebrities and Policiticians crying "New Orleans, New Orleans, New Orleans!!". No other city in the US, and possibly even outside the US, that were hit by Katrina, Rita or Wilma received the same amount of attention that NOLA has received in the media. That's a shame for people have suffered throughout the southern states, including Texas, from these hurricanes and never received the attention. Maybe that is a blessing in disguise, but it still slants views upon what is actually happening out there.

Roseangel, are you sure FEMA isn't helping the victims of Hurricane Rita? +++++++ Yes they are. I have already been visited by FEMA concerning Hurricane Rita. The National Guard has units in the Lake Charles area. It was the National Guard who was feeding all of the cows / horses, by helicopter,( actually by the same helicopters that were used to drop sandbags on the levees in New Orleans) right after and for a couple of weeks after the storm. Convoys of relief supplies headed for the effected areas of Rita left the New Orleans area 3 days prior to the storm and ran daily convoys to the area. Thousands of National Guard members and civillian employees ( like myself) worked straight through the hurricane to make sure relief got to where it needed to go.

Very Good and thanks, NavyVet. Perhaps RoseAngel is remarking on him/her not seeing FEMA do anything... which could be alot different than FEMA not doing anything.

Very Good and thanks, NavyVet. Perhaps RoseAngel is remarking on him/her not seeing FEMA do anything... which could be alot different than FEMA not doing anything. ++++++++ I forgot to mention that FEMA is paying for the use of the National Guard plus they are paying for their gas / supplies and food for the troops.

I like that, paying for the use of the National Guard. lol

Thanks for the info, Navyvet. RoseAngel, I wonder if you might be in need of any help that you previously didn't know was available to you. FEMA's help isn't limited to immediately after the storm. They can provide financial help with temporary lodging for those displaced after a federally declared emergency, as well as grants or loans to repair your home. It might be a good idea for you to call them. The number is 1-800-621-FEMA. Good luck :)

I'm impressed!! FEMA went through my neighborhood today, talking to people and handing out information for disaster assistance. Our damages were minor, compares to what some have suffered by Hurricane Wilma, but it is comforting to know they were here.