Flowering Crab Apple tree on the south side
Hurricane Katrina - August 29, 2005
Our town of Picayune, Mississippi took a direct hit from hurricane Katrina and I have posted pictures of our home for those who might like to see what a category 4 hurricane can do.
First let me start with our location, we are about 25 miles north of Waveland, Mississippi and about 22 miles north of Slidell, Louisiana. New Orleans is about 40 miles to our south.
We evacuated on Sunday afternoon, August 28th and went to Grand Prairie, TX to stay with our dear friends, Richard and Terry Brown. The Brown's welcomed us and our animals with open arms. Little did we know we would be with them for 2 weeks. We stayed with them last September when hurricane Ivan was on it's way but it turned away from our location and we were able to return within 2 days.
It took us 3 hours to reach Hattiesburg, MS, normally a one hour drive and another 3+ hours to get to Jackson, MS. There was total grid-lock until we crossed the Mississippi River in Vicksburg. After that traffic was heavy but flowing nicely.
There were shelters opened all along I-20 in 3 states with signs on the expressways with directions. We knew we would not make Grand Prairie that night so we stayed in the Texas Welcome Center at the state line. We couldn't go to a shelter because of our animals. It was packed with people with their kids and pets. We met some wonderful people from New Orleans, Metairie and the surrounding areas. I have often wondered how they made out from this storm and if they had anything to go back to.
Sometime during the nighttime hours I heard on the radio that the New Orleans Super Dome was leaking and water was pouring in and one of the levee's had broken, I couldn't believe what I was hearing, it couldn't be happening.
I had our portable TV with us and early the next morning, August 29th, I sat on a picnic table on a very cool and breezy Texas morning and saw the hurricane's eye just about over Slidell, LA. I knew that my home and everything we had could be gone at any moment. I felt fear for the first time and I prayed.
We are so very lucky, our house was spared and so were our animals we couldn't take. The entire area looks like a bomb went off. We didn't have to worry about flooding just wind damage, and damage everyone got. Living is a little stressful at the moment and I realize it will be a long, long time until things become normal again. BUT Picayune has gasoline, the grocery stores have food and all in all life is good.
The following photographs are before and after shots but nothing can capture the damage and destruction as it really is, you would have to see it for yourself.
Front and side views before the storm
Flowering Crab Apple tree on the south side
Crape Myrtle tree
Electric pole in foreground. Our flowering Crab Apple tree is
gone.
Picture on right is the right and north side of the house.
The front of the house was untouched. The Magnolia tree was terribly wind
burnt and lost a lot of leaves. The Crape Myrtle tree is listing badly towards
the east, we are going to try to save it.
New deck outside our bedroom in the back of the house
The limbs were ripped out of the oak tree, as you can see the deck and house
wasn't touched.
Doesn't look too bad does it? A mess yes, but a chain saw should do it.
Far left, pond is
untouched.
Fallen Pecan
trees
This is the view from our bedroom. I kept the shades drawn for a few weeks.
Across the road from our house.
These scenes are very typical everywhere you go, you can't
drive out of it.
Other than seeing our house standing this is
best sight in the world!
About a month after the storm the trees started putting out new leaves........it looked like spring time. Some trees even bloomed! A few song birds started to show up and have increased in numbers over the past months.
Things will never be as they were, in some cases this will be a good thing, and in other cases very sad.
I have been told our little town has increased by 35,000 - 40,000. I don't know if this is a true number but judging by the traffic it makes you wonder.
I don't know if we will stay here or not. I would like to move as far as I can get from any ocean. I do not want to go through another hurricane season, Katrina was enough to last a life time.