Nashville flood!

This is a story that has gotten almost no coverage, even though it looks like it will be more economically devastating than hurricane Katrina. The Cumberland river has overflowed its banks, and reached the thousand year flood level! People were rowing canoes across the stage at the Grand Ol Opry. The people there have been amazing, pulling together, helping each other, getting things done. There hasn't been any looting or things of that nature.

However, the devastation is real, and a lot of bands are trying to raise money. But some bands are out of luck. The Outlanders had their bus flooded, and most of their gear was destroyed. Abney Park's Captain Robert has this link on his livejournal, about where people can send donations, mostly of supplies, leather, brass, machine bits, etc. You can send donations of money to help out the whole city and surrounding areas at the links on this site.

PSA number 2

I found this on facebook, and I think it's really cool. Xerox had a bunch of kids draw these pictures, and you can pick one and send it as a thank-you card to the troops. It's free,which is great for people who want to help, but don't have much money. It's also cool to see how much these kids admire the soldiers, and the way they express it. I remember in school, we drew pictures for soldiers during the Gulf War, and I tried really hard to think of something really good. I don't remember what I drew, but I know it wasn't good as most of these pictures. The troops are doing a great job, especially now with their offensive in Marjah, but it also means the fight is getting harder, so lets encourage them.

Haiti

This isn't steampunk, but it's important. Surely everyone knows about the earthquakes in Haiti. Brass Goggles had a great idea and put a link to Doctors Without Borders on their site. Another place to donate is the Red Cross. I only have three or four readers, but if everyone donates just a little bit, it will help.

There is some good news. Our armed forces have gotten there and are coordinating the release of supplies, shoring up the efforts of the religious institutions who were the first to help, but are stretched thin. The 82nd Airborne got there a couple days ago with cargo planes, and the Coast Guard is there, along with a hospital ship from the Red Cross. The generous aid from around the world is able to start finding its way to people, but the news is still devastating to watch on TV, and there are people in need on the outskirts of the cities too. Please keep praying for Haiti and ask your friends to try and give something too.