WEALTH, POSITION DON'T MATTER IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM

When something like Hurricane Katrina strikes, it affects everyone regardless of fame, wealth, or position. That became very clear over the past couple of days.

The Green Bay Press-Gazette reported that Packers quarterback Brett Farve learned Tuesday that his mother, brother, and other relatives survived, spending Monday night in the attic of his mother's home in the small Hancock County, Mississippi community of Kiln after it filled with water. They were able to escape Tuesday to another relative's home after the water receeded slightly. His mother's home was destroyed and will likely have to be bulldozed. Farve has still to make contact with his wife and children who live just outside Hattiesburg, about 70 miles inland from Kiln.

Congressman Gene Taylor (D - MS), who represents much of south and coastal Mississippi, lost his home in Bay St. Louis, according to the Jackson Clarion-Ledger. He knows first hand about search and rescue as a veteran of the Coast Guard, skippering a vessel and receiving two letters of commendation --- one for the Commendant of the USCG --- for actions during his service.

And Senator Trent Lott (R - MS) lost his family home in Pascagoula. He also has a home in Washington and his wife owns a residence in Jackson.

And bits of history are now gone forever. Beauvoir, the final home of Confederate President Jefferson Davis located just off the beach in Biloxi, was virtually destroyed. The home was built in 1854 and has withstood numerous hurricanes, including 1969's devestating Camille. "It now has been reduced to rubble and the frame of a house", the Clarion-Ledger notes.

While much of the media attention is, understandably, focused on the coastal communities which were hit hardest, the destruction is felt even in Hattiesburg, nearly 90 miles inland. The city of nearly 40,000 people has suffered widespread damage and is virtually shut down, and some are saying that even there it could be as long as two weeks before power could be restored. The Hattiesburg American notes that there has been looting there as well, and police departments from other areas have been assigned to back up local law enforcement and secure the city. The major medical facility, Forrest General Hospital, is reportedly running low on water and is rationing food and has closed it's doors to only patients, staff, and families. The other local hospital, Wesley Medical Centre, is running normally except is not scheduling surgeries.

I've been getting some of my information from, of all places, a sports board. Eagle Talk, normally filled with excited comments in anticipation of the University of Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles' football season, is instead filled with messages of information, questions, and concern from posters from throughout the Southeast and beyond.

One excerpt from that board:

From "USMCane", who stayed in Hattiesburg until after the storm passed, then escaped to Natchez:

Monday morning right at 8:00 we lost power. About 10-11ish, the weather started to pick up drastically. At about 12:15, we started to hit the eye wall. This storm's power was AMAZING! I can't even begin to describe the power of this storm. After a long morning, i was finally able to get out of my apartment at about 3:30 or 4:00.

We soon went for a short ride around Hattiesburg. The destruction was devastating. Muggshots, Stricks, and Crecent City (popular restaurant/bars) all have very severe damage. Trees are down EVERYWHERE. WDAM (Laurel/Hattiesburg's NBC affiliate) reported that the best case for restoration of power in Hattiesburg is 2 weeks.