Sunday was another horrific day for much of America's east coast as a hurricane of unprecedented power roared through small towns and large cities, destroying everything in its path as it headed northward. One church in Wilbur-By-the-Sea, Florida tried to hold morning services only to see its roof torn away in the middle of the minister's sermon. Members of the congregation took cover as the pastor screeched, "God has spoken, everybody hit the deck!" Most hurricanes begin to diminish in size and intensity as they reach land. This storm seemed to know, instinctively, that it needed to stay close to the sea if it was going to maintain its awesome power. The eye of the storm appeared to be meticulously following the shoreline as it quickly crawled across some of the nation's most valuable seaside properties. It was almost like God was guiding the storm to destroy much of the affluent property and powerful people O.U.T.R.A.G.E. bombers had not targeted for their apocalyptical mass destruction.
Countless TV and radio stations on the east coast were knocked off the air, unable to broadcast anything. Still, there were thousands of stations that were accepting the O.U.T.R.A.G.E. feeds as they were transmitted all day and all night long. News of the storm, of course, took precedent as it traveled up the coastline. TV viewers across the nation no longer had much interest in the usual drivel the networks passed off as entertainment. For the first time in decades, news reporters and weather forecasters were 'front and center', spewing out information as fast as it was handed to them. An anchorwoman in Memphis, Tennesee, who had been in TV news for over forty years, compared it to the "old days" when copy was shoved in front of the newscaster and he would announce authoritatively, "This just in..."
About once an hour Colin Powell or John McCain would appear on screen, usually giving some kind of an update as to how different governmental agencies were cooperating with local crews in search-and-rescue operations that would begin as quickly as the hurricane left the region. In some cities, debris leftover from the January 17th bombings was washed away by the storm, and sometimes bodies that had been listing as "missing" effortlessly floated among the floodwaters. Coroners who had been working day and night for two months now saw their workload increase as it became difficult to ascertain whether a body was the victim of the O.U.T.R.A.G.E. explosions, or was a 'fresh' victim of the storm. Debris that had been cleaned up just days or weeks ago now littered some communities, interlocked with new debris caused by the hurricane. "This is a time for calm and order," warned Powell. "Anyone caught looting or trying to profit from this disaster will be subjected to the most severe penalties, as has been the case since January 17 of this year. We will not tolerate price-gouging, stealing, or any other criminal activity. Authorities across the nation have been ordered to shoot looters on sight and identify their bodies with a large "X" spray-painted on their abdomens. That "X" signifies that these bodies will be given the lowest priority attention as far as rescue, medical care, or identification. If you have any ulterior motives or criminal intentions, consider yourself warned. Local authorities have also taken matters into their own hands, and will not show any tolerance for anyone who is apprehended trying to loot, steal, or cheat for as long as this state of emergency exists. If you're engaged in criminal conduct of any kind, do not expect a modicum of mercy. At the same time, citizens are urged to stay close to their homes, or get to a safe shelter as quickly as possible. Then stay there. Federal martial law has been declared, and only authorized military, police, medical, and rescue personnel have clearance to be on the streets. If you are a member of the press and wish to take your chances while filming the consequences of the storm in your area, do so at your own risk. Make sure you have appropriate identification, and - as a better precaution - get permission from your local police chief before venturing out. It's for your own safety. Food, water, and supplies are being transported into devastated areas as quickly as possible. Patience is absolute during this crisis. Civil disobedience, brawling, or any kind of unrest will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
For those of you listening on car radios, be advised that most highways are clogged and traffic is at a standstill as millions of residents have tried to flee. You are advised to seek safety in a basement, or in any building designated as a Civil Defense shelter location. Safety, caution, and good judgment are the key components to your survival. Please do not expect any special assistance from those involved in rescue operations. They have their hands full and cannot respond to individual situations. Hospitals along the East Coast are operating with minimal staff at maximum capacity. Again, your situation can not be given any preferential attention; do not expect it, regardless of how important you might believe yourself to be. This storm is the great equalizer; no one's power, status, social standing in the community, or money will make a difference as this cataclysmic event continues. Should you try to interfere, or use any means at your disposal to get preferential treatment, federal authorities - and many local authorities - have been given a direct order to 'shoot first, ask questions later'. Those who are physically capable of helping authorities should volunteer to do so. Your help is imperative. Please...."
Powell's face drained to a pale shade of brown as he was handed a bulletin on-camera. "We've just been informed that the city of Savannah, Georgia has completely lost power and all outside contact. Survivors are expected to be few; officials have already reported more than eleven thousand dead bodies. This storm is catastrophic....perhaps the wildest hurricane ever to hit American land. Please, if you are capable of assisting authorities in any way, now is the time to volunteer your services. If you are not in a designated shelter, if you are found wandering the streets out of curiosity or interest, you will be drafted into service immediately by local or federal authorities on the scene."
The telecast continued. Tens of thousands of residents from areas removed from the oceans were now heading in cars, trucks and busses to offer their assistance. It was an outpouring of volunteerism not ever before seen in the history of the United States of America. It was - by far - a more intensive army of volunteers than could have ever been recruited or organized by the American Red Cross or any other community service organization. Members of local Lions clubs, Kiwanis clubs, and VFW Posts were on their way. Police, fire and rescue teams were coming with sirens blaring, emergency lights blazing, and equipment or supplies stuffed into their vehicles. Truckers were hauling loads of blankets, food, clothing and water into the stricken areas. They were coming from as far away as Indiana and Illinois, driving hard through the night and sometimes in convoys of more than 200 vehicles led by police cars and fire trucks. Americans were coming together, regardless of their creed, color, wealth, influence, or status. O.U.T.R.A.G.E. couldn't have planned such comportment.
Countless TV and radio stations on the east coast were knocked off the air, unable to broadcast anything. Still, there were thousands of stations that were accepting the O.U.T.R.A.G.E. feeds as they were transmitted all day and all night long. News of the storm, of course, took precedent as it traveled up the coastline. TV viewers across the nation no longer had much interest in the usual drivel the networks passed off as entertainment. For the first time in decades, news reporters and weather forecasters were 'front and center', spewing out information as fast as it was handed to them. An anchorwoman in Memphis, Tennesee, who had been in TV news for over forty years, compared it to the "old days" when copy was shoved in front of the newscaster and he would announce authoritatively, "This just in..."
About once an hour Colin Powell or John McCain would appear on screen, usually giving some kind of an update as to how different governmental agencies were cooperating with local crews in search-and-rescue operations that would begin as quickly as the hurricane left the region. In some cities, debris leftover from the January 17th bombings was washed away by the storm, and sometimes bodies that had been listing as "missing" effortlessly floated among the floodwaters. Coroners who had been working day and night for two months now saw their workload increase as it became difficult to ascertain whether a body was the victim of the O.U.T.R.A.G.E. explosions, or was a 'fresh' victim of the storm. Debris that had been cleaned up just days or weeks ago now littered some communities, interlocked with new debris caused by the hurricane. "This is a time for calm and order," warned Powell. "Anyone caught looting or trying to profit from this disaster will be subjected to the most severe penalties, as has been the case since January 17 of this year. We will not tolerate price-gouging, stealing, or any other criminal activity. Authorities across the nation have been ordered to shoot looters on sight and identify their bodies with a large "X" spray-painted on their abdomens. That "X" signifies that these bodies will be given the lowest priority attention as far as rescue, medical care, or identification. If you have any ulterior motives or criminal intentions, consider yourself warned. Local authorities have also taken matters into their own hands, and will not show any tolerance for anyone who is apprehended trying to loot, steal, or cheat for as long as this state of emergency exists. If you're engaged in criminal conduct of any kind, do not expect a modicum of mercy. At the same time, citizens are urged to stay close to their homes, or get to a safe shelter as quickly as possible. Then stay there. Federal martial law has been declared, and only authorized military, police, medical, and rescue personnel have clearance to be on the streets. If you are a member of the press and wish to take your chances while filming the consequences of the storm in your area, do so at your own risk. Make sure you have appropriate identification, and - as a better precaution - get permission from your local police chief before venturing out. It's for your own safety. Food, water, and supplies are being transported into devastated areas as quickly as possible. Patience is absolute during this crisis. Civil disobedience, brawling, or any kind of unrest will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
For those of you listening on car radios, be advised that most highways are clogged and traffic is at a standstill as millions of residents have tried to flee. You are advised to seek safety in a basement, or in any building designated as a Civil Defense shelter location. Safety, caution, and good judgment are the key components to your survival. Please do not expect any special assistance from those involved in rescue operations. They have their hands full and cannot respond to individual situations. Hospitals along the East Coast are operating with minimal staff at maximum capacity. Again, your situation can not be given any preferential attention; do not expect it, regardless of how important you might believe yourself to be. This storm is the great equalizer; no one's power, status, social standing in the community, or money will make a difference as this cataclysmic event continues. Should you try to interfere, or use any means at your disposal to get preferential treatment, federal authorities - and many local authorities - have been given a direct order to 'shoot first, ask questions later'. Those who are physically capable of helping authorities should volunteer to do so. Your help is imperative. Please...."
Powell's face drained to a pale shade of brown as he was handed a bulletin on-camera. "We've just been informed that the city of Savannah, Georgia has completely lost power and all outside contact. Survivors are expected to be few; officials have already reported more than eleven thousand dead bodies. This storm is catastrophic....perhaps the wildest hurricane ever to hit American land. Please, if you are capable of assisting authorities in any way, now is the time to volunteer your services. If you are not in a designated shelter, if you are found wandering the streets out of curiosity or interest, you will be drafted into service immediately by local or federal authorities on the scene."
The telecast continued. Tens of thousands of residents from areas removed from the oceans were now heading in cars, trucks and busses to offer their assistance. It was an outpouring of volunteerism not ever before seen in the history of the United States of America. It was - by far - a more intensive army of volunteers than could have ever been recruited or organized by the American Red Cross or any other community service organization. Members of local Lions clubs, Kiwanis clubs, and VFW Posts were on their way. Police, fire and rescue teams were coming with sirens blaring, emergency lights blazing, and equipment or supplies stuffed into their vehicles. Truckers were hauling loads of blankets, food, clothing and water into the stricken areas. They were coming from as far away as Indiana and Illinois, driving hard through the night and sometimes in convoys of more than 200 vehicles led by police cars and fire trucks. Americans were coming together, regardless of their creed, color, wealth, influence, or status. O.U.T.R.A.G.E. couldn't have planned such comportment.
posted by Bushwacker! at 7:26 AM
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