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Richard Piatt Reporting Katrina is both making an impact and drawing a response from Utah. The most direct impact on the most people is at the gas pump -- prices in Utah have already gone up a nickel or so, a direct result of the hurricane. The storm also has Utahns thinking less selfishly, though dozens volunteering to actually go there and help.
It's an emergency response, but it requires a little packing up first. Salt Lake urban Search and rescue is sending a team of 33 men and women to help in the hurricane ravaged south. Their specialty collapsed buildings, and flooded areas.
David Vialpando, Salt Lake Urban Search & Rescue: “It will be a search and rescue response. So we'll search, right now we'll worry about victims trapped in their houses, so we'll be searching house to house."
Four specially trained dogs will help find people. Specially designed equipment will help pluck people through rooftops, if necessary. It's the kind of response this team went through after 9-11, and the Shuttle Columbia disaster.
Past hurricane experience is also guiding leaders from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ten semi-trucks full of supplies are on their way. From food and water, to general supplies and personal hygiene kits, the supplies will be a crucial part of the overall relief effort.
But it doesn't look like there will be relief for people, nationwide at the pump. Already more pricey than ever before, today's jump in prices sparked one man to protest.
James Hughes: “You know, people are just, they’re sick of it, you now.”
At one 7-11 the gas is $2.75 a gallon. And James Hughes is a one-man picket line. But he's not alone.
Judy Gradney, Salt Lake City Resident: "It's too high! You know something's gotta happen! This is ridiculous! I mean it's crazy!"
The spike in gas prices is one obvious effect of Hurricane Katrina on lives in Utah, just in time for the last holiday weekend of the summer. Experts do think the prices will drop, a lot soon, but there's no telling when. And in the meantime, as we've seen, there are millions of people with more basic concerns in this country.
