I wanted to quickly check in with everyone.....me and the family are safe, we are in northern MS. Reports from people who stayed behind is that basically the entire parish I live in (St. Bernard) is under water. I have heard that there is a minimum of 7 feet everywhere and that some places have as much as 15 feet of water.....i.e. it's way past the roofs. So, here I sit, far from home with nothing left and with the knowledge that it may be weeks before I get to see the ruins that used to be my home. I have no idea how to pay for a hotel room, food, bills, etc. for weeks with no job for me or my wife to go home to from what I understand. Really, it's almost surreal at this moment in time, I have no idea what's going to happen or what to expect. I know some of you went through the same thing over there in FL last year......maybe you can help me see the light in the tunnel, because right now it's pretty bleak.

Of course, me and my family have our lives, unlike many others tonight.