Ivan Update

Bad News

So I figured I'd check back in after all the fuss about Ivan. And yup, he pretty much wreaked as much havoc as everybody thought he would. He came ashore early last Thursday, ripping into Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, though Alabama and Florida's panhandle took the brunt. He then proceeded inland up through Alabama and had downgraded to Tropical Depression by time he hit North Carolina later that same day... but he still had plenty of hate and discontent to sow.

The latest count is 52 U.S. deaths on top of 70 in the Carribean. Major power outages in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Damage from flooding, swelled rivers, mud and landslides, tornadoes and storms all throughout east coast, including all of the above plus Tennessee, Ohio, Virginia (30 tornadoes!), West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. New England is still feeling the thunderstorms. Everybody in Ivan's wake is still battling flooding and mud. The last damage estimate I read: $2-$10 billion. Several states have been officially been declared disaster areas so they're elligible for federal aide.

But Wait... There's More...

And the hurricane season has only just begun. Already, Tropical Storm Jeanne has killed over 250 in Haiti. Thankfully, other storms that have formed have stayed out over open water. Here's hoping any more decide to follow suit. Oh, and hey... it looks like there's a very high chance that one of these Atlantic storms is gonna be named after me, based on the list of names they've already set up for this season. Joy.

Terrorists

In other news: another video-taped hostage beheading by terrorists in Iraq. *shaking head*

Gotta wonder who's more dangerous: nature or people?