A few thoughts after Isaac

A few rambling thoughts in no particular order:

1. The utility companies are once again doing a great job. OK, I am biased. My power stayed on. But you really don’t know what a big deal that is to me.  I remember all to well the misery after Hurricane Katrina.  The fact that my electricity did not even flicker during the storm makes my next Entergy bill easier to pay.  But region-wide, the response across Mississippi and Louisiana has been rapid.  I wish the utility companies didn’t have so much experience with this. But it has paid off.

2. Social media has changed the world. One big difference between Katrina  and Isaac is the advent of social media (other than the storm wasn’t nearly as bad). Facebook and Twitter rule the day. Links to power outages, road closures, news stories, first-hand accounts, humor, photos and official word from public officials kept us in the know. I know first-hand the power of social media because I sent out a link from a trusted source that had bad information in it — and immediately got a call from the Governor’s office to fill me in with the correct scoop. I promptly sent out a new link with the corrected information.  Social media is here to stay, folks.

3. The Mississippi Gulf Coast residents are tough as nails. They’re like the old Timex watch commercials, “Take a licking and they keep on ticking.”  I read stories where crews were out cleaning up even before the storm had passed.  The Gulf Coast is a special place.  And it is largely because of the amazing and resilient people who live there.

4. The Federal and State responses were strong. Sure, you fight the last war — and we were enacting the battle plan learned from the holocaust we experienced after Katrina. And it helps that Isaac, although bad, was no Katrina. But MEMA and FEMA both were on top of things. The Governor was calm and full of useful information during his press briefings. The National Guard was prepositioned and ready to go.  All and all, the cavalry was there when the time came.  There was no “Heckuva job, Brownie,” moment.

5. National media got the message that hurricanes hit Mississippi, too. Hate to harp on this and I know some people think the Land Mass thing was overblown, but let’s be honest, the national media heard Mississippians. (The wonderful The Land between NOLA and Mobile Facebook page went viral.) After the horrible job telling Mississippi’s story after Katrina, the national media were all over the Gulf Coast telling both Mississippi’s and Louisiana’s story with lots of energy and passion. (with a few gaffes like Pass Christian, Louisiana — thanks Al Roker).

6. Isaac hitting on Katrina’s anniversary rattled nerves. And down in Louisiana it caused some places to have worse flooding.  I bet Xanax, Valium and Whiskey sales were off the charts this week. Like I’ve said repeatedly: Next time Mother Nature, send a card.

7. I’m glad it is all over at my house. The good news is that I have a lot less leaves to rake this fall. (my seven trees got a good haircut). But I’m VERY thankful that they are still vertical and not on my house. And we’ll be eating hurricane emergency supplies for Labor day.  My family is safe.  Life is good.

8. And finally, thoughts and prayers go out to all affected by the storm. Isaac dumped a lot of water on South Mississippi, so there has been a lot of folks flooded. And if you don’t have power, I hope the electric company truck shows up soon.  Prayers also go out to Mississippi’s victim of the storm. Greg Parker. He was a tow truck driver out trying to help someone when a tree fell and took his life.

P.S. After struggling with it for a few days, most people on Twitter and Facebook finally figured out that Isaac is spelled “Isaac” not “Issac.”