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Lorenzo's
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Katrina scatters a grim diaspora
(BBC NEWS, 1 September 2005)
Across the south hundreds of thousands of Americans have been unceremoniously dumped: displaced by Katrina in rest stops and hotel lobbies; among strangers in shelters and in hospitals. . . . And for most there is no going back, for weeks, and more probably, months. . . . They sleep where they can. . . . The lucky ones, and they are indeed the lucky ones, have hotel rooms. . . . Entire families crowd into one room with little information, power that comes and goes, and no air conditioning. . . . For some, who thought initially Katrina wasn't as bad as the authorities had predicted, fate has dealt them a cruel hand. . . . Having checked out for the long journey home, they now find themselves back in hotel lobbies across the state pleading to have their rooms back. . . . The rooms of course have been filled with others seeking refuge. . . . Today, less than 36 hours after initial relief turned to horror, they are packing their cars again and heading off. . . . Normally they would be heading south - back home to Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. . . . On Wednesday I watched one young couple packing their smart VW Golf. They had two suitcases and a couple of backpacks and could have been starting a road trip or a holiday. . . . They are not, of course. . . . They are headed to Florida and the safety of mum and dad. What they have with them is all they have left. . . . Typically they are smiling, but the smiles are tired, worn and very, very battered.

posted by Lorenzo 5:10 PM