As hurricane/ tropical storm/ depression Isaac winds down, its remanence somehow making its way back to the northern Gulf as of yesterday, we can only be reminded and teased of this awful storm. It lingered in the mid Mississippi and Ohio Valleys and dumped lots of rain on drought stricken areas, but just too late for many farmers who have already suffered huge crop losses. Central Kansas saw little to no rain and remains one of the worst drought areas. Isaac spawned more tornadoes, flooding and frustration. Haunting images from Isaac's unrelentless wrath keep pouring in, including a picture of two cows stranded on a strip of land in Louisiana. When it comes to animals in a flood situation, it seems that we see either cows stranded somewhere or dogs confined to a rooftop. Everyone likes animals and these images are disturbing along with what storm victims and communities have gone through as well.
I have to admit that, although natural disasters can be devastating overall, I am fascinated by climatology, meteorology, and environmental science, the latter being a concentration of study for me in college. I always felt that I would make a great weatherman but never got there. However my interest in weather phenomena is still strong. I watch the Weather Channel at least 20 hours a week. I do not "look forward" to seeing natural disasters occur, but just realize that they are going to happen one way or another, and are a part of nature and the Earth's natural balance. If any natural disaster happens in the future, I am going to process it and write about it in this Blog; you can bet on it.
As part of my Kowbelle album, "Our Red Cross", I wrote a song about a scary and awful time over the South last April 27, 2011. It is a true song about the monumental and deadly tornado outbreaks over the region. The song refers to a "back cover of a Cullman, Alabama phonebook" that I found in my back woods the following day. It had traveled 110 miles and landed here. I have spoken to alot of locals since and some have all reported finding things on the ground, some things such as invoices or utility bills with Cullman printed on them.
After intense investigation, I concluded eventually that the F-3 tornado that hit Cullman midday, carried lots of debris and dumped it over the Tennessee Valley 3 hours later. I will never forget the day when I saw the sky raining with debris that afternoon. Perhaps it may be a good time to refer to the song and video, "Our Red Cross" which you can view below. It really is a tearjerker and may really get you to think about things and that some thing in life, and life itself, should not be taken for granted.
I want to just take a moment to tell you that I have been recently certified in Disaster Assessment for the local Chapter of the Red Cross and it has really been an eye opening experience. This was a great opportunity to learn more about the organization and about myself. I do volunteer occasionally in various ways when I have time, but want to do more when I can. The Red Cross can always use more volunteers and they are great to work with. They are like a family full of compassionate individuals waiting to do whatever it takes to help those in need.
Lets try to always think about those people who have suffered through and rose above these disastrous events, and especially to those that we have lost. And lets never forget that we as individuals have a responsibility to reach out to the weak when we may be strong.
Lou Ross
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