Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2005 | 8:40 a.m.
The nation caught a break early Monday morning when Hurricane Katrina weakened somewhat and veered east as it hit land, sparing New Orleans the full brunt of its fury. The break was not enough, however, to prevent loss of life and unimaginable loss of property in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. As the storm continues on a northeasternly path, many other states will likely experience damage and perhaps loss of life from flooding, wind and tornados.
We are humbled by the heroic efforts of hospital and other emergency workers who put their own lives at risk to stay with patients who could not be moved and to rescue people who could or would not be evacuated. In the mid-1980s, with the South in the grips of a killer drought, northern farmers sent thousands of truckloads of hay to help save their countrymen's farms and ranches. We're confident that same spirit will again show itself, with people from all over the country donating whatever they can. It will cost billions to repair Katrina's damage, and every coin or bill dropped into a donation can or sent to the Red Cross or other relief organizations will help immensely.
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