Along with the rest of the world, we on the Sunshine Coast watched with horror as yet another part of the world was flattened by a vicious water-fuelled storm. For the second time in less than nine months, we witnessed the devastation caused by furious winds.
For most of us, it's difficult to imagine the reality of New Orleans today. A city once known for being Party Central now looks, according to one news story, like the aftermath of Hiroshima.
And as was the case in Southeast Asia, the poor and destitute will once again bear the brunt of Mother Nature's fury. For the homeless and marginally employed who have survived Hurricane Katrina's initial onslaught, the hopelessness they face must be overwhelming.
We can only imagine the fear these people must be feeling -- no electricity in a city hot and humid at the best of times and an intended refuge, the Super Dome, full of people unable to wash and using, from all accounts, filthy washrooms. We can only wonder how long it is before diseases associated with those conditions cause further grief.
For those of us so inclined, it helps to know the Salvation Army, as is their wont the world over, is on the scene ministering to the afflicted in their usual practical manner. And the Red Cross, as was the case in the December tsunami, is also doing their best to make order out of chaos. If your heart leads you to donate to either of these organizations, you can access their websites: www.salvationarmy.ca or www.redcross.ca for more information.
And for the rest of us, this should be a wake-up call. Scientists keep warning that our blissful part of the world could suffer a similar fate should an earthquake or the resulting tsunami happen on the West Coast. Are you prepared? None of us should have to live in fear; make sure you're ready.
Not all water stories are sad ones this week. The return of the Sechelt youth from a kayak voyage designed to follow in the footsteps of their ancestors is an uplifting story of the power of water. We thank Kal Helyar of Porpoise Bay Charters for taking us out on the water to get the great shots of the kids returning. His kindness is much appreciated.
