The Worse that Could Happen
As a life-long resident of one of the greatest cities in this country, I find this difficult to write. I have just spent the better part of Sunday evacuating to Houston, where we have been welcomed by family and friends. All of my immediate family is with me, so I am blessed. We will survive.
The Fate of the Big Easy
My concern now is for my home, my New Orleans. New Orleans is a city that's below sea level and completely surrounded by a flood wall.
That's means that every drop of water that comes into the city must be pumped out. We have no nature drainage. I know intellectually that houses and buildings can be replaced. But how does one replace the Cabildo? It's the place where the Louisiana Purchase was signed. How does one replace an entire neighborhood of buildings built in the early 1800's? How does one replace the living history lesson that is New Orleans?
Memories of Betsy and Camille
In 1965, I was a teenager. Hurricane Betsy hit at night. At about 6 a.m the levee broke near our house and the water flowed in. I swam in water as fast as I could. Suddenly a large snake swam by in front of my face. I screamed and called out to my cousin, Charlie, who was swimming nearby. He looked at me sadly. I knew he couldn't help because he was clinging to his baby sister, and her life must be saved. It gave me some courage to get over my fear and swim harder. We all made it, but we will never forget that. Betsy, was only a category 3, Katrina is a 5.
In hurricane terms, that's like comparing a rabid house cat to a tiger.
In 1965 Camille approached. At the last minute it veered to the east and hit the coast of Mississippi nearby. Many lost their lives. All that remained of the beautiful old homes along the coast were the front steps. Read my experiences in this one.
Please Pray for us. Thank you.
As a life-long resident of one of the greatest cities in this country, I find this difficult to write. I have just spent the better part of Sunday evacuating to Houston, where we have been welcomed by family and friends. All of my immediate family is with me, so I am blessed. We will survive.
The Fate of the Big Easy
My concern now is for my home, my New Orleans. New Orleans is a city that's below sea level and completely surrounded by a flood wall.
That's means that every drop of water that comes into the city must be pumped out. We have no nature drainage. I know intellectually that houses and buildings can be replaced. But how does one replace the Cabildo? It's the place where the Louisiana Purchase was signed. How does one replace an entire neighborhood of buildings built in the early 1800's? How does one replace the living history lesson that is New Orleans?
Memories of Betsy and Camille
In 1965, I was a teenager. Hurricane Betsy hit at night. At about 6 a.m the levee broke near our house and the water flowed in. I swam in water as fast as I could. Suddenly a large snake swam by in front of my face. I screamed and called out to my cousin, Charlie, who was swimming nearby. He looked at me sadly. I knew he couldn't help because he was clinging to his baby sister, and her life must be saved. It gave me some courage to get over my fear and swim harder. We all made it, but we will never forget that. Betsy, was only a category 3, Katrina is a 5.
In hurricane terms, that's like comparing a rabid house cat to a tiger.
In 1965 Camille approached. At the last minute it veered to the east and hit the coast of Mississippi nearby. Many lost their lives. All that remained of the beautiful old homes along the coast were the front steps. Read my experiences in this one.
Please Pray for us. Thank you.
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