Mike could see in his mirror that a few trucks with porta-johns were stopping every few hundred yards or so and placing them for the stranded travellers. He could also see people jumping out of their vehicles, racing to get in line. After all of the hours they had been there, and, it being nightfall, that was to be expected. Of course, the officials at the scene would have to maintain the scene, that there would be no cuts in line, fights, and, such...
It also seemed that food drops were being made from large supply helicopters. This was going to be interesting to watch. Just then Mike noticed a Police Officer approaching his vehicle. Mike opened the door to cab, wondering what he wanted. He told Mike that they were rounding up men to help distribute the food and water to the motorists. Mike obliged easily, partly because he was restless, partly because he was hungry and thirsty, and, partly to get a closer view of the operations at hand...
The food and water had been lowered in nets. About ever 1,000 feet or so. The officials had rounded up a lot of men, who were now standing and waiting to carry as much as they could to a designated area. Mike wondered about the last vehicles on the road, who were to be the first to turn around. He thought that the process had already started and thought that this would slow them down even more. Again, he did not know that there was a vehicle to vehicle search going on, and, that these in the beginning stages had already been given their rations and were being searched...
The food was stuff like rations from the military and food bank stuff, like crackers and cheese and such. It did not matter, this was just to ease the tensions of the motorists. Each person was given one 2 quart bottle of water. Mike had never seen 2 quart bottles of water before. He thought how smart that was, for surely that would last each person for a while and it would not be so much that they would have to go to the bathroom too much.
Apparently, the left lane of traffic, which when turned around would be the right lane of traffic, would remain clear for emergency vehicles, officials, and, motorists who had to stop for the facilities. Very well organized this far, just so damned slow moving...
Mike spent about an hour, back and forth, carrying as much as he could and distributing water and food. His back was getting sore, and, he was beyond tired. He was worried that he would fall asleep during the process of getting off the E-Way...
It was dark now, and, while there were lights on here and there, it was not a well lit scene. The officials were chatting back and forth, contemplating the necessity for flood lighting, but, it was doubtful as that could impair vision of the already impaired motorists...
So much to be done, time was not a blessing, and, it was pretty evident that these people had to be cleared off this stretch of hi-way for their safety and the integrity of the bridge... Yes, it was an intense situation which was not getting any less so...
It also seemed that food drops were being made from large supply helicopters. This was going to be interesting to watch. Just then Mike noticed a Police Officer approaching his vehicle. Mike opened the door to cab, wondering what he wanted. He told Mike that they were rounding up men to help distribute the food and water to the motorists. Mike obliged easily, partly because he was restless, partly because he was hungry and thirsty, and, partly to get a closer view of the operations at hand...
The food and water had been lowered in nets. About ever 1,000 feet or so. The officials had rounded up a lot of men, who were now standing and waiting to carry as much as they could to a designated area. Mike wondered about the last vehicles on the road, who were to be the first to turn around. He thought that the process had already started and thought that this would slow them down even more. Again, he did not know that there was a vehicle to vehicle search going on, and, that these in the beginning stages had already been given their rations and were being searched...
The food was stuff like rations from the military and food bank stuff, like crackers and cheese and such. It did not matter, this was just to ease the tensions of the motorists. Each person was given one 2 quart bottle of water. Mike had never seen 2 quart bottles of water before. He thought how smart that was, for surely that would last each person for a while and it would not be so much that they would have to go to the bathroom too much.
Apparently, the left lane of traffic, which when turned around would be the right lane of traffic, would remain clear for emergency vehicles, officials, and, motorists who had to stop for the facilities. Very well organized this far, just so damned slow moving...
Mike spent about an hour, back and forth, carrying as much as he could and distributing water and food. His back was getting sore, and, he was beyond tired. He was worried that he would fall asleep during the process of getting off the E-Way...
It was dark now, and, while there were lights on here and there, it was not a well lit scene. The officials were chatting back and forth, contemplating the necessity for flood lighting, but, it was doubtful as that could impair vision of the already impaired motorists...
So much to be done, time was not a blessing, and, it was pretty evident that these people had to be cleared off this stretch of hi-way for their safety and the integrity of the bridge... Yes, it was an intense situation which was not getting any less so...
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