Document text
Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 1, 2005 Jay Stockton, a meteorologist based in Medford and a native of New Orleans, lost contact with relatives after Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast. Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli Hurricane uncertainty Valley residents wait for word from relatives in battered areas along the Gulf Coast By JONEL ALECCIA Mail Tribune When Jay Stockton saw Hurricane Katrina headed for his hometown, his view was sharper than most. As a meteorologist with the National Weather Service based in Medford, the New Orleans native knew too well the potential for disaster posed by the estimated Category 5 storm — and its aftermath. "Scary’s not the word for it. I’d say my understanding is a little more emphatic," said Stockton, 44. "I know what they’re capable of." But Stockton was left as worried as anyone else when Katrina’s wrath cut communication with family members that include a brother in Mandeville, La., and a cousin and two aunts across Lake Pontchartrain. Advertisement "I talked to them as the storm was coming in," Stockton said. Since then, he’s heard briefly from his brother, Daniel Stockton. "We got in touch and then everything failed," he said. "He’s flooded out." The fate of his other relatives is still unknown, although he believes they’re probably OK. "I’m going to go back there and it’s not going to be home," Stockton said Wednesday after watching TV coverage of the devastation. "It’s all different." Stockton is one of several Southern Oregon residents awaiting word from Gulf Coast friends and family. "Quite a few" people have called the American Red Cross office in Medford, trying to check on the welfare of their loved ones, said Tony Hernandez, emergency services director. "It’s really heartbreaking," he said. "A young man called last night. His elderly mother and her elderly sister are both invalid and he can’t get any information about them." Land line and wireless phone communication remained erratic Wednesday. The best bet is for relatives to check Web-based postings on sites such as www.nola.com , http://neworleans.craigslist.org/laf/ or http://findkatrina.com . Meanwhile, seven local Red Cross workers from Southern Oregon were settling into recovery efforts, Hernandez said. They included Mary Jane Morrison of Phoenix, who has provided counseling services during hurricanes and after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. "They’re on overload right now," Hernandez said. Some Southern Oregon residents have volunteered to head to the hurricane zone, but Hernandez discouraged untrained people from going. "Bless them for considering it, but logistically it is impossible," he said. Financial donations are more welcome, said Carrie Hanson, development director for the Medford Citadel of the Salvation Army. Local residents have contributed about $1,100 to that agency for Katrina relief efforts, Hanson said. All of the donated money goes directly to the disaster site, she added. By Wednesday, people had contributed nearly $8,000 through the Red Cross, said Director Marj Jameson. How to help People who want to support recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina can call the Red Cross at 779-3773 or send donations to the local office, 1174 Progress Drive, Medford, OR 97504. Donations also can be sent to the Salvation Army, 922 N. Central Ave., Medford, or by calling 773-6965. The Jackson County United Way is accepting donations for its "long-term healing" fund, which provides help after immediate crises have passed, said Director Dee Anne Everson. Call 773-5339. Reach reporter JoNel Aleccia at 776-4465, or e-mail Hurricane uncertainty ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback Distance Education www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Helzberg Diamonds Computer Security Casino Gambling Sites Cheap Website Templates Budget Website Hosting Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy Memory Foam Mattress Diamonds Online Poker Home Equity Loans Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations w2 forms Mortgage Calculator Free Home-Loan Referrals Online Casino News Natto Kinase Nattokinase Advertisement s