In a society where everything is dependent on electricity, you sure notice the difference when your power has been off a few days.

Our power has now been restored, and everything except one lightbulb in the basement seems to work. Part of the wiring for the house was laid just under the floorboards (i.e., in the basement near the ceiling), so we wondered what effect the flood had on the wiring. Having electricity will be a big help in the ongoing clean-up around here, since we can now use power tools in replacing the two windows that were damaged during the hurricane and in making other hurricane-related repairs.

About 20,000 people in the Mobile area are still waiting for their power to be restored. The Alabama Power linemen who restored our power told me that about 80 percent of the power lines in southern Mississippi are down, so it will be much longer before power is fully restored there.

We are also getting reports from small inland communities in Mississippi that have been bypassed by the relief organizations.

Everyone seems to be concentrated on the coastal areas and New Orleans, which did suffer tremendous losses. However, some of the small inland towns also suffered major wind damage and need help.