I personally do not believe God is “punishing” New Orleans, although many people certainly are feeling punished, I’m sure, just through sheer fatigue, loss and general misery.

Katrina hit New Orleans environs because it is on the Gulf Coast, sticking out there. These are earth changes, possible due to global warming. I kind of wish everyone would move away from the coastal areas, because more than likely these hurricanes will be stronger like this now. But, I do understand, it is your home — mine was Pensacola, growing up, born in Gulfport. And a beautiful home it is. Also, there are calamities everywhere, such as fires in the West, snowstorms in the East.

Yes, New Orleans means a lot to the whole country, as a symbol and an actual place.

As far as the government and the media paying more attention to New Orleans than other places, you are kind to remember those other places. I think it is done on the basis of number of people.

I recently read some absolutely terrible things about the women in the Congo, getting raped, etc. Horrible conditions. You don’t hear about it very much because it is smaller numbers. Everything is numbers to the media.

Best of luck with trying to process all of this emotionally. It was quite hard for me too, and I don’t even live there.

you might try the Pensacola News Journal Forums (www.pensacolanewsjournal.com)–post your relative’s name under “missing persons” or other Katrina related forums. a lot of survivors went there and surrounding areas.

also, perhaps Mobile has an online newspaper journal like Pensacola’s.

I hope God will assist you in your search for your great grandmother.

additionally, there is http://www.katrinaprayers.com, for prayers, — there might also be some various postings about practical matters, such as missing persons whereabouts, etc.