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I've been on the road today so I've not had a chance to view much of the pictures coming out of the area via television. But let me say that I'm in Southeast Texas and there are many evacuees in this area. The radio reports as I passed through Houston mentioned that some 55,000 hotel rooms were occupied by evacuees in that area. Businesses and others are banning together to help as much as possible to make their stay tolerable. Example, they are giving free tickets to those for many things such of the sightseeing nature so they can maybe take their minds off the problems for a few hours. There are some 2,000 in our area at a County facility and many more in other locations.

What has slowly begun to sink in to me in the short time I've been home is the destruction to the infrastructure along the Gulf Coast from the Baton Rouge area in the Panhandle of Florida. I-10 and US Hwy 90 have complete sections of the roadways gone. I'm sure railways are the same. That probably means months before repairs can be completed.

No telling the damage to the infrastructure within the cities that are still inundated. Utilities, water systems, sewerage facilities, etc.

I know this sounds pessimistic but I believe it to be reality at the moment. The bottom line is that we need to give thanks for the minimal loss of life and pray for God's blessings as the resumption of the lives of those impacted is begun. Keep your hope and chin up.

Water spills over a levee along the Inner Harbor Navigational Canal in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is estimated that 80 percent of New Orleans is under flood waters as levees begin to break and leak around Lake Ponchartrain(AFP/Pool/Vincent Laforet)

what a wonderful response from Houston !!!! I know a few who went there, others to San Antonio, Dallas, etc. Amazing how Americans who often become somewhat provincial really come across when the going gets rough ... and I hope everyone remembers the very first replacement fire truck sent to NYC after 9/11 came from the people of Louisiana.

Not many bright lights in this presently dark tunnel, but your report about Houston is surely one of them. Thanks.