Response to Gustav

Last week when forecasters were predicting a Category 4 hurricane would hit near New Orleans, Kristopher Naeger, formerly of Cape Girardeau, and his wife, Delphine Roussel, recalled the horrible days following Hurricane Katrina. This time, they decided to head to Kristopher's parents' house, where Rick and Vickie Naeger welcomed them and many more to Cape Girardeau.

The storm was not as strong as predicted. Some wonder whether the forecast was overplayed and fear that residents along the southern coast may ignore cries of wolf in the future. With the unpredictable nature of hurricanes, it seems more prudent to err on the side of caution.

Any evacuation of the southern coast will involve masses of people moving northward. Places like Cape Girardeau play an important role in saving lives, and it's encouraging to know that people like the Naegers are willing to help.

But they weren't the only ones. Several local law enforcement and health agencies, as well as local Red Cross, Salvation Army and Humane Society chapters were prepared to welcome several hundred evacuees. This time, thankfully, not much aid was needed.