What will you remember most from Katrina?

[noway]

I was thinking about What I would remember most about Hurricane Katrina? You know like 30 years from now what will be your story?

I will never forget not being able to shower for 4 days.
Using garbage cans to get water out of swiming pools :flush:

The different churches in Hattiesburg serving Hot Meals.

Not being prepared of all people...:bonk:

[EddieD]

The distinct sound of a pine tree snapping!

[fuzzis]

I'm not sure I'll remember specific things like that, although I think it's probably going to be hard to forget standing in the carport with everyone watching the storm, me pacing in the back, listening to the roaring of the wind, wishing that the boys hadn't already polished off all the booze. Or the inadavertent double red blood cell donation quickly followed by the bee sting (highly allergic)...and my friend Beth standing over the end of the bed, telling her husband that she was just checking to see if I was still breathing.

I think what I'm going to remember most is the people who were kind to me, and the people who worried about me. I'm from a very small, fractured family, and I've spent the last 15 years of my life in a place where you don't really get to know people. I lived in a condo...7 other units in my building...and despite my best efforts (cookies at Christmas, invitations to MNF parties, invitations to BBQs), in three years, I never got to know those other people.

So, it was a bit shocking to me to have people who were really basically strangers to me, people I'd met in a class this past summer and hit it off with, take me into their home and care for me. Not just for the storm but for almost two weeks...they were very clear that I couldn't go back to my house, by myself until the power was back on. Guests for a couple of days are one thing, but guests for two weeks is another. And they weren't the only ones who made the offer.

Beyond that, once my phone came back on and I was able to get online, there were messages from people who wanted to know how I was, wanted to know how they could help, wanted me to come stay with them. Some of them good friends, others casual acquaintences.

My personal relationships have been strengthened, and I've come to understand...really...what community means. I hope that's what I'm going to remember most.

fuzzis

[jmb]

I will never forget being online here with noway and Dragonfly, Kimberly's mom, as Katrina blew through, hearing the fear and helplessness in their written words, and knowing the only thing I could do to help was to be here with them. People from all over the world were here, checking on loved ones, trying to find information, trying to get calls through, again helpless. I must have dialed 5000 calls a day, trying to get through for people. The few times I was succesful, it was such a rush to find out they were okay, and to let their loved ones know they were okay. A brother and sister from England were frantic to find information on their relative who is a professor at USM. Once they were able to speak with him, he was so kind as to go out on foot checking on others for the relatives and friends looking for them. I remember noway checking on many people also. He was so much help, sharing information, locating people, etc.

What I will always remember is how the community pulled together. It makes me proud to be able to say, "I'm from Hattiesburg!"

[justme]

This storm has changed everyone whether they realize it or not. I think even those who did not have much damage have experienced this change.

Prior to the storm, I had been surrounded by great friends. Now I am surrounded by my family. These friends are now my family. We experienced this tragedy together, and all weathered the storm as individuals and as a cohesive group. We took extra steps to take care of each other, to make sure that everyone had what they needed. Daily communication to make sure that everyone was emotionally and physically ok. Even now, nearly two months later, we continue this level of caring for each other.

There was life before Katrina, and we struggle to remember how our lives were before, as this new life has taken over and we have adapted and changed, and have been made stronger and more resiliant due to her.

Becuase we have all noticed this change, this has been a topic of conversation over dinner and wine, and it was pointed out that each week that passes is different from the last. This is due to many things. There are more people in Hattiesburg, and we are meeting them and inviting them to be a part of our community. We are meeting other people here in Hattiesburg that we would not have normally met, and connecting with them through our experinces of having weathered Katrina's wrath. New people, new friends, and changes in the mondane and routine daily live has made each week different from the last, and will continue to do so for quite some time.

We have all taken a step back and now realize what is truly important. It is not our homes, cars, and possessions that can be replaced, but it is the friendships, family and community that we need to sustain ourselves. Without these relationships, we cannot make it in this world. This is what I will remember the most... my ephiany that whether or not I want to admit that I can't do everything by my self or on my own, I must rely upon my friends, family and community for support and comfort, becuase without them, there is an emotional void.

Actually, I thank Hurricane Katrina for turning my group of friends in to my family.

[wilebill]

The distinct sound of a pine tree snapping!

And the immediate smell of pine sap when they did.

[IGID]

Being in Law Enforcement and being in the thick of it for 12 to 14 hrs a day for 3 or 4 weeks in a row, there are 100's of things I will never forget, but the one that stands out the most is how important 5 gallons of gasoline was to me. And no, that wasn't me standing in line at the central fueling facility with my cans....lol

[wilebill]

Another thing.

Immediately after the storm we needed to fix supper, since we hadn't eaten all day.

I got out the camping gear for light, and got my portable charcoal grill out. We knew we needed to start eating frozen food so we put some hamburgers on the grill.

I remember thinking those were the best damn hamburgers I'd ever eaten! Others said the same thing. I don't know why, but they were.

[King Kong]

I think the thing that I will remember the most about Hurricane Katrina will be the time I spent with my father. We are already close but this was a new opportunity to spend day after day with him and bond our friendship even stronger. We shared everything. MRE’s, water, ice, cigarettes etc…. I learned very quick that my father is a very resourceful person. I think on the 5th or 6th day after the hurricane we were both drop dead tired after working non stop for days so we went to his house to get about 4 hours sleep. It was hot and I really stunk but it didn’t take long for me to fall asleep because I was so tired. We woke up and my dad made some egg and sausage sandwiches. Those sandwiches were the best meal I have ever had!

[Southern_Belle]

I will remember being here in Hattiesburg, using pool water to flush toilets, showering in the pool, standing in lines for ice and water, reading the papers as the only source of news, charging the laptop on the generator to watch movies at night, etc... If you look in my gallery that says it all. THAT is what I will remember.

[XC9]

I guess I will always remember the popping sound of the trees in the woods behind my apartment. I used to love the wind but have discovered in the past few days that I am scared of it blowing now. Yes, this disaster has changed everyone of us no matter how much we realize it. I have a new respect for people from far away states who have left their family behind to help out strangers. Their generousity is just amazing! God bless them and help us to remember to be as decent as them when others need our help.

[Monkey]

I will remember how the generosity in people shone bright during those first few days after the storm. My parents were VERY fortunate to have moved from Long Beach to Jackson in July after living on the coast for nearly 15 years. On a trip to the coast to help out friends after the storm, they found that the spirit of Mississippians is what brought them through the storm and will bring them through the rebuilding. :smt038 :smt038
I'm very proud to be a Mississippian!

[aaron]

I guess I will always remember how being without electricity wasn't as bad as I thought. From time to time, I think about what the world will be like during another Great Depression or something that takes us back to the 18th century. If we would've had a wood stove for hot meals, I would've missed it even less. Water was a completely different story, without it, life sucked. If the National Guard hadn't shown up with the water and ice, we would've been in real trouble. I'll also remember how quickly news spread just through word of mouth.

[Sgw]

I think the thing that I will remember the most about Hurricane Katrina will be the time I spent with my father. We are already close but this was a new opportunity to spend day after day with him and bond our friendship even stronger. We shared everything. MRE’s, water, ice, cigarettes etc…. I learned very quick that my father is a very resourceful person. I think on the 5th or 6th day after the hurricane we were both drop dead tired after working non stop for days so we went to his house to get about 4 hours sleep. It was hot and I really stunk but it didn’t take long for me to fall asleep because I was so tired. We woke up and my dad made some egg and sausage sandwiches. Those sandwiches were the best meal I have ever had!


Yes those egg sandwhich's were yummy. I enjoyed the one i ate. Your dad also manage to get a carton (sp) of cigs from someone ........

Sarah

[Sgw]

I will remember lots of things. Ill remember the day before the storm eating at the irish pub on the coast and being very drunk......

Ill remember the day after the storm having to rescue my brothers out of my house, we had to climb over and under tree's to get to him, and than i remember packing up the last bit of our belongings that werent destroyed, and taking them to my ex-finances house.

I remember going and checking on all of my friends and climbing over power lines, and trees and debree (sp). I will never forget the destruction this storm caused.

I ll never forget going down to the coast after words to check on my house and see all of the houses gone and horrible smell there was. Its so unbelieveable and being so young it all seems so big.

I ll write more when i get a chance but its incredible and non-forgetable.

Sarah

[noway]

:cry: Some wonderful responses to this thread. Thats why this site is so fun to me (as you cant tell).. Just reading over your posts is awesome. We have some very smart people on here & the writing's are wonderful. You can really learn about someone on here good or bad or 10-92..:smt118

[happydamyankee]

The thing that sticks in my mind the most is my first trip home the Wednesday after the storm. In order to get there I had to drive north in the south bound lane of 59, because of all the trees in the north bound lane. The thing that I is when I got off the interstate and crossed over seeing the blanket of trees laying on the interstate. For some reason I imagined a giant grinch dressed as santa clause standing above them with an ax.

And while there's been a couple of mentions of the silence the thing that struck me was the noise of the frogs that didn't stop for two weeks after.

[XC9]

I have to agree with you Hawkeye, the stars were awesome! I have never seen the sky so brilliant and I did see a shooting star the second night after the storm. That is the first time I have noticed how numerous the stars actually are. Wow! Glad you brought it up Hawkeye.

[SxyHubLady]

The most memorable thing about Katrina to me, was the aftermath.

Was 3 days after Katrina when I was able to get up 59 to Laurel to get to my kids. I finally was able to get to them, and when I pulled up they came running to me. My youngest son said Momma I was scared. Then I cryied. I took my kids and went to my mothers in Mobile, Al. At that point I tryed to find my bestfriend "Christy" that lived in Biloxi. After a week she was able to call my cell phone and tell me she was ok, but she lost everything.

And when I returned to Hattiesburg, I would like to Thank 2 people for letting me stay with them. Thank you Brittney and Jessica. I love you and will always be grateful for letting me stay with you when I had no where else to stay when I returned home.

[Tully Mars]

Like many of you mentioned I will remember how clear the night sky seemed without the artificial light obscuring the view.

I will also remember the fact that my son ran a fever through the whole thing and riding him around in the car (I know, wasting gas) just to get him in some AC so he could cool off.

I will remember the feelings of being frustrated and overwhelmed with the whole situation

I will remember helping out a couple of relief centers and meeting people whose lives were impacted by Katrina in ways that made my sitation pale by comparison.

I will also never forget my August 29, 2005 because that was also my birthday.

[SoMissTV]

Like many of you mentioned I will remember how clear the night sky seemed without the artificial light obscuring the view.


That was the first time I realized the magnitude of the storm. I live in a neighborhood that doesn't have a lot of pines, so once we lost power I figured it wouldn't take them too long to restore it. After all my phone still worked, and we have underground utilities. Looking out the back window that night and not seeing any light whatsoever was a wake-up call to me. The next day, I was able to get out of the subdivision after my and 20 of my closest neighbor friends hacked through 16 pines laying across the road. That's when what I had suspected the night before by the darkness was confirmed in the light.

[fuzzis]

To kind of go along with the stillness and darkness theme, I spent Tuesday night at my house by myself. I have this whole thing about not wanting to impose on people, and I misunderstood what was supposed to happen when we all came into Hattiesburg to check on our pets. I didn't realize I was supposed to follow my friend's to their place, after which they were going to follow me to my place. Once we were sure all the "kids" were fine, we were going to head back to the hills. I just went to my place, and they didn't know where I lived.

Being alone was fine during the day, but as it got darker, I got more nervous. I'm a scaredy cat anyway, and when I started seeing people I didn't know walking through my neighborhood, I had to work really hard to keep from panicking. I kept thinking, if something goes wrong, there's no one here to help me (and there wasn't anyone around for blocks)...I'm screwed.

I sat in my living room, writing...12:18, 2:45, 4:27. I'd try to sleep, but then I'd hear something outside and start writing again. Because it was so quiet, any little thing was amplified, seemigly 100 times. The next day, I went back to my friend's house, just hoping they would say that I could stay with them again (and they did).

I know I've been frightened before, and perhaps it's just the immediacy of this experience that makes the other times pale, but I don't know if I've ever been that frightened for that long.

fuzzis

[noway]

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051027/OPINION03/510270327/1014/OPINION

I saw this letter ot the editor thought I would post it

:smt102 :smt102 :smt102

[fuzzis]

You know, I found that to be true. My friends only ran their generator in the afternoons/evening so that we could have fans to sleep. By the end of it, though...the last couple of days before the power came back on, there were lots of times we didn't turn it on until we absolutely had to. My ears rang and my head hurt...almost sickeningly so...from the constant sound of the generator.

I'm glad they had it, but I was also really glad when it wasn't running as well.

fuzzis

[ynotme297]

being inside the multi-purpose building along with about 2,000 people from n.o. and the coast. the building was shaking and ratteling and the big double wide roll-up door on the back was bowing in and out, then all of a sudden it blew out of the track about 3 feet off the ground. we backed a car up aganist it to keep it from blowing completely in. if the door had gone, we would have lost the roof. there were people who had stayed out in the barns with their pets and no one knew they were there. one of the workers just happened to see some and risked their lives to bring in about 12 people that had gotten trapped including one elderly couple that had been in one of the stalls with their dog. the dog ran away and the old couple were about done in when the workers found them. you just can`t imagine how bad it was on the nerves. trees and steel gates were flying everywhere. i hope i never see anything like that again.

[Tully Mars]

I will never forget the love bugs this year. Talk about our own southern-fried plague. I had a lot of fun hearing comments from some of the yankee crews that were in town about the love bugs.

[mccole79]

I still can't bring myself to answer this thread. We had to write an essay about Katrina and how it affected us for school, and it took forever for me to write that. So many things happened during Katrina, including the death of a family member, that it's still hard to think and talk about.

[jmb]

mccole, my sympathies to you and your family.:rose:

[mccole79]

thank you jmb. :)