Twin States Weather Blog

Done For Today...

* Continuing to cover the aftermath of Katrina...Our coverage continues later this morning at 6 AM with Good Morning Meridian. Then, we'll do a special newscast at 11 AM, with more coverage throughout the afternoon.

* Putting the finishing touches on our coverage today. The toll on human life continues to rise along the coastline. I'm sure many of you saw the story from WKRG in Mobile. A man tried to cling to his wife and kids as their house split. His wife was lost to the battering sea. Powerful stuff - really brings a sense of perspective, showing us how small our problems really are. The man's name is Hardy Jackson. May God bless Hardy Jackson and all the other survivors. Let us all keep these people in our prayers.

The loss of life has not been limited to the coast - we have lost 3 neighbors here. The losses were in Leake, Lauderdale, and Newton Counties. I have to hope that we said everything that could have been said to help people prepare for this storm. The few moments available for me to sleep have been interrupted by these thoughts.

Overall, the loss of human life has been staggering - and the number of neighbors lost continue to rise. So many times, we focus on numbers - instead of people. At least 100 dead. No number explains the overwhelming loss of life. Those who we lost were fathers, sisters, mothers, brothers, teachers, cooks and neighbors.

Consider the plight of many of our neighbors on the coast when you think about not having power. If the only thing you lost in Katrina was your power, you are blessed. My power remains out and I'm a bit tired - but I consider myself blessed. Maybe you lost a tree or even part of your home. It can be rebuilt. If you have your life, you have more than many.

Sorry if this has been too emotional - I suppose I'm feeling a bit of emotional fatigue tonight. Being surrounded by continuous stories of death and destruction for
72 consecutive hours can have that impact on a person. Spend some time with your family this week and weekend...

posted by WTOK Weather Staff @ 11:45 PM