I went through Charley last year & you can believe me when I say that looters are the least of their problems right now. I know it's disturbing to watch, but on the scale of what the future holds for the victims of Katrina, looters will barely measure.

We were so lucky to have avoided the flooding here last year. Food, water, ice, medical help - all had a place to be disbursed. We had so much help here, so fast, that it was truly amazing. But we still had dry land & highways in & out of here.

Over a year later we still have "FEMA Village" with over a thousand people living there in trailers. Over 140 businesses (I believe that's a correct number) will never open again, leaving owners & employees without income. Inexpensive housing was all but eliminated, so even if those people do find jobs they won't be able to afford to live here.

I'm sorry, I'm babbling. This is bringing back all the terror & frustration, which will never really leave me.

I don't think that anybody, even those of us in this area, can really imagine how bad this is going to be. Please, donate any money that you can to the Red Cross or other charity. If you believe in prayer, say a prayer for the victims, because their nightmare is only beginning.