The horror of what’s happening along the Gulf Coast is almost unbearable, yet it’s impossible not to watch. Rooftop rescues. Uncontrollable fires. Widespread looting. Floating bodies.

Imagine a hurricane roaring through the Inland Northwest, shredding everything in its path, followed by torrents of water from breached dams.

It’s even worse than that, because the water here would quickly recede. Not in New Orleans, which sits below sea, river and lake levels. The water continues to rise. The only way to get rid of it is to pump it out, but there is no electricity and levees are broken. As Katrina heads north, she dumps huge amounts of rain that will eventually flow south to New Orleans and other Gulf Coast communities.

The cruel impact is reflected in the dread and resignation of those directly affected:

•”It’s time for a real panic attack because I can’t get in touch with anyone to see if my husband, son and daughter-in-law are safe. I’ll just keep praying.”

•”Everything is gone.”

•”She told me, ‘You can’t hold me, … take care of the kids and the grandkids.’ “

•”He was kind of on the edge of the roof, catching his breath. Next thing I knew he came floating past me. … I don’t know if he drowned or had a heart attack.”

The urge now is to rush to the rescue, but emergency officials say to stay away. It’s too dangerous. The roads are gone. Martial law has been declared in some areas. Electricity may not be restored for a month or two. The death toll may not be known for weeks.

The best way to help is send money so relief organizations such as the American Red Cross can make sure that charitable giving is tailored to victims’ specific needs. But make sure you’re contributing to a reputable organization. Bogus e-mails and Web sites are cropping up to take advantage of your compassion.

And remember that the first priority is to deal with emergency needs. Volunteers like those sent by Spokane’s Red Cross Chapter will have their hands full arranging shelter, food and clothing for those in need. They’re not there to track down information about individual friends and relatives.

At the federal level, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is organizing what may be its largest operation ever. The agency will be watched closely, because it has been targeted for reorganization under the U.S. Homeland Security Department.

The new FEMA will be geared more toward combating terrorism than natural disasters. Many state and local emergency officials don’t think that’s a good idea. A storm like Katrina will only bolster that critique.

Additionally, FEMA’s expenditures will be put under the microscope. News reports show that FEMA handed out $31 million to Miami-Dade County residents for funerals and property damage that weren’t proved to be connected to storms. The cost of disaster relief in the Gulf Coast will be staggering. FEMA needs to direct it to the truly needy.

In the coming days, the rest of the nation will discover what it must endure because of Katrina. Because of the damage to refineries, fuel costs will certainly rise. Imports and exports will be delayed. Travel plans will have to be canceled.

Just be thankful that those are your biggest problems.