Fire in the Sky
Citizens of the Metro-Dade area were shocked awake by a tremendous blast which turned night into day and rendered the Miami Beach area into just so much piled scrap. Miami has now joined the ranks of those cities touched by the horrors of Terrorism, though never on such a scale before. Witnesses report a flash and roiling ‘mushroom cloud’ which may have been the result of a nuclear device.
The Federal Government has refused to comment on this until after the team has completed its investigation, though the Navy and Air Force have begun training maneuvers involving all active-duty personnel along the borders of the U.S. and offshore. Insurance companies are currently filing with the Federal Government to have this declared an Act of War so as to avoid having to pick up a damage bill which can only be described as Astronomical.
All citizens of Miami are encouraged to cooperate with the authorities and work crews struggling to restore order to what was once a vacation paradise and winter home to many of the world’s wealthiest and most famous persons. Visitors are asked to avoid travel though the Miami/Metro-Dade area in order to help reduce the traffic jams which have formed as people flock to witness the destruction and which are posing significant difficulties for rescue and cleanup crews attempting to reach the area.
President Declares Miami a Disaster Area
This morning the President declared Miami a disaster area and a Federal Team will arrive this week to assess the damage. While the actual death count is unknown, it is believed to be in the hundreds, with the wounded numbering even greater. Property damage is estimated to be in the millions.
Red Cross personnel have arrived and have set up shelters to help feed and clothe those displaced by the blast, as well as assist people in looking for missing relatives. Missing persons inquiries should be directed to the Red Cross at ###-#### instead of the local police.
The Miami Arena, Downtown, is serving as the local Red Cross HQ. Donations of food, clothing, and other supplies can be dropped off there.
The Small and Helpless
In this dreadful time of need, with innocent victims of all shapes and sizes, a woman had courage to enter the dangerous blast site, and take care of the smallest of them all. This woman and her dogs found a small Ferret family buried under the weight of stones and metal, and she single handed freed them and brought them to safety. An animal lover states, and I quote: “It is good to see that not all have forgotten about the animals, and understand that it is not only humans that deserves to be helped. Good work.”
<PICTURE: You see a young woman, who seems to be in the early twenties. She stands about 5’6″ tall, with long, dark-brown hair which is tied in a ponytail. She wears a pair of well-used leather pants in a brown color, and a dark-green T-shirt. On her feet is an old pair of boots. She holds her jacket in her arms, and wrapped up in it is a white Ferret. On the ground next to her, there are two dogs. She doesn’t look like she know that her picture is taken>
National Guard Moving In
The National Guard have been called in to assist in the search for survivors in the blast area, as well as begin evacuations in the surrounding area. With the low police presence, it is expected that the guardsmen will also act to deter looting in the area.
Miami residents are being asked to stay away from the Miami Beach area for their own safety, and keep roadways clear for emergency and official vehicles.
Helping Hand
Many people were recently left homeless by the explosions that wracked our great city, and emergency funds are already being stretched much too thinly to offer them the disaster relief they so richly deserve. It is up to us, then, the citizens of Miami, who will have to look ourselves in the mirror and ask why we did not help. It is up to us to stand up for our fellow man and to give to support his life. Malcolm Westin, a local Miami resident and General Manager of the High Stakes Casino, itself suffering structural damage during the explosion, has set up a fund called the Ocean Royale Fund, in memory of the large residential apartment damaged in the blast. If you can find it in your heart to give, please give what you can. This newspaper has gladly agreed to publish the names and donations of those philanthropic souls who have chosen to give, so that others might learn from their example, but anonymous donations are also possible. Send all money to Ocean Royale Fund, c/o Malcolm Westin, High Stakes Casino.
OOC: Have a staffer judge the donation to the fund on you as JUDGENOTE_DONATION_OR, then +mail Malcolm with your donation amount and name so that it may be posted. The donations can also be anonymous.