Don't forget about Mississippi!

[vital]

I went to the Mississippi gulf coast recently and let me tell you it's almost as bad as the week after the storm. I've lived here all my life and I was lost on the beach without the familiar landmarks. They are all GONE! Not flooded, not molded G O N E! The beautiful houses are gone, just weeded empty lots where generations of families used to live. There are people still living in tents next to FEMA trailers. It is a pitiful sight and all the media tells about is New Orleans. Don't get me wrong, I live so close to New Orleans it almost feels like I grew up there also. I love the city, but get tired of everyone talking about it. Nobody mentions Mississippi. New Orleans flooded due to the failure of the levee system. Our coast was wiped out due to storm surge and high winds. If you want to see images and video of the storm surge taken by some guys in the Beau Rivage parking garage, go to hurricanekatrinasucked.com. They recorded Katrina at the worst of the storm. The video of the storm surge is unbelievable. I was just under the overpass and was looking up and can't comprehend how high the water was. I showed my son and all he could say was," If we were right here during Katrina we would've drowned." He is 6 and could understand the magnitude of the destruction. If you come down to the south, please take a drive down Highway 90 that runs along the beach. It is unbelievable at the total destruction there. Please say a prayer for the people still living in FEMA trailers and the folks staying in the tents beside them.

 

[oxfordcircus]

In April, I took that drive from the 110 spur west along 90 toward Gulport. It really is sickening. Pictures and video don't approach capturing the feel. I know it must be terrible to be living in one of those FEMA trailers. I heard last weekend that 30,000 of them have been taken out of service, so hopefully that's 30,000 families now in permanent homes. The insurance situation is going to cause a lot of long-term problems. There are going to be a lot of folks trying to rebuild $200,000 homes with $2,000 of insurance proceeds. The flooding really caused 2 injuries: first with the damage itself and now with the claims being denied under the flooding exclusion. It's really a shame.

 

[kimntrent]

I live in California but have traveled down those roads many times while on my way to visit friends. And it was such a beautiful place. The insurance companies are jacking around these people horribly. The government is taking its own sweet time to get things rebuilt. We are coming up on a year and its amazing how other places (state unnamed) who also had devisitation with a hurricane is far further along then those states are. I guess we can tell well their loyaties lie.

I promise I won't foget Mississippi, Louisianna or any of those.

 

[Straitlover]

I was there in June (Gulfport) w/ a group from my church for rebuilding, and I am going back in November w/ another group from church. I can't wait! I worked very hard, but it was worth it. I am also looking forward to having some more of that yummy catfish at Catfish Charlie's!

 

[AmazingGrace]

Thank you for posting that. I was in Biloxi during katrina and it was Hell.

 

[vital]

Thank y'all for reading and replying to this post. I just get tired of hearing about all the hardships of other places when they are living like they are in a 3rd world country down there. Thanks to all of you who have helped and prayed for our people down there!

 

[oxfordcircus]

We won't soon forget. My son started pre-school this week and his teacher's name is Katrina. My 7 year old and 4 year old spent a good long while talking about August 29. It's seared in their memories. We live in Jackson, but I'm told we still got Cat 1 winds here. That really made an impression even on my boy, who was 3 at the time. Whenever a strong storm blows in, he starts asking if it's a hurricane.

 

[DVC Sadie]

While we ride around and see the deserted streets, all the weed infested lots where homes once stood ( some plain and some so grand) where parents and their children use to play, it is heartbreaking to say the least.

Hopefully things will improve soon but with the high cost of housing (where available), skyrocketing insurance costs and high rise condos being built instead of affordable housing I fear our communities will never have the same feel again.

I just read in The Sun Herald that they are demolishing 3 housing projects that are currently used for low income families to sell the land and for what? To build condos or different types of homes. Where will these families end up living?

Sometimes I feel so disheartened but when we drive by a home that is being built by volunteers of faith based groups, it makes my heart swell.

For all of you who volunteer your time please accept my heartfelt gratitude and thanks.

 

[lulu71]

I was thinking about this thread earlier in my car when I was listening to the reprentative from the Louisiana Recovery Authority in a radio interview. He was saying that that state of MS got $5.2 billion for their housing recovery program for 19,000 destroyed homes and Louisiana got a little over $6 billion for over 200,000 destroyed homes.

I guess I would take the money over the press any day.

 

[oxfordcircus]

I was thinking about this thread earlier in my car when I was listening to the reprentative from the Louisiana Recovery Authority in a radio interview. He was saying that that state of MS got $5.2 billion for their housing recovery program for 19,000 destroyed homes and Louisiana got a little over $6 billion for over 200,000 destroyed homes.

I guess I would take the money over the press any day.

I'll quote our guy in response to your guy: "Katrina destroyed 68,000 houses and damaged another 55,000 in coastal Mississippi, according to the Harrison County Development Authority." I don't doubt that New Orleans was devasted. Now I'll quote your guy "More than 85,000 homeowners whose homes were damaged or destroyed by hurricanes Katrina and Rita have registered for assistance under the state's Road Home housing program since the launch of the registry in March. The state is urging the almost 38,000 homeowners who have not yet registered to do so as soon as possible." http://www.lra.louisiana.gov/pr060906register.html
85 + 38 = 123,000, not 200,000.

If $5 billion in federal money has been spent on the Mississippi coast, they must be burning bricks of hundred dollar bills to keep warm because there's virtual zero construction going on (outside of highrise condo development). Why don't we call it even and say we both took it on the chin.

 

[vital]

I was thinking about this thread earlier in my car when I was listening to the reprentative from the Louisiana Recovery Authority in a radio interview. He was saying that that state of MS got $5.2 billion for their housing recovery program for 19,000 destroyed homes and Louisiana got a little over $6 billion for over 200,000 destroyed homes.

I guess I would take the money over the press any day.

It's not about the money. It's about ppl trying to recover and feeling like they are forgotten! I never said anything about money. Some of the ppl in New Orleans were already living off of the government and still expect the government to take care of them. The MAIN reason the MS coast hasn't gotten the attention is because our ppl have sucked it up and did what they had to do for themselves without rioting and killing each other, not to mention stealing plasma tv's (when there wasn't even electricity at that) and other things that weren't necessary for survival. The storm surge came and went and sucked EVERYTHING back out into the sound. Sure, they didn't have to sit in putrid water, but they also didn't have anything to sit in while they were waiting for the government. I just get tired of hearing poor pitiful New Orleans when our ppl are suffering just as much. It makes me think about the ppl that were in the Pentagon on Sept 11, 2001. How often do you hear about them? They were hit with a plane also, but it wasn't as sensational as the twin towers so they got less press. All this thread was about was not to forget the other victims of this, hopefully, once in a lifetime storm! Since it has turned into a "we suffered more than you" thing, I felt I should post my feelings about the situation. Now, I know that all the ppl of New Orleans didn't react like what I said above, but that's all you saw on TV and ppl still talk about them. What does that say about the ppl in America when they'd rather focus on the ppl who stole items that weren't needed versus focusing on how the other victims are rebuilding and getting on with their lives without waiting for the government?

 

[lulu71]

Why don't we call it even and say we both took it on the chin.

That's really my whole point. I hear a lot of "who got it worse" talk, even here on this board and it just makes me scratch my head. I just don't get the whole competition thing.

 

[lulu71]

Since it has turned into a "we suffered more than you" thing, I felt I should post my feelings about the situation. Now, I know that all the ppl of New Orleans didn't react like what I said above, but that's all you saw on TV and ppl still talk about them. What does that say about the ppl in America when they'd rather focus on the ppl who stole items that weren't needed versus focusing on how the other victims are rebuilding and getting on with their lives without waiting for the government?

I really don't see anyone in LA behaving that way, at least I haven't. The whole competition thing bothers me, which is actually my whole point, see above.

I also don't think an inordinate focus was put on the plasma TV looters, but that's just my opinion.

 

[vital]

I really don't see anyone in LA behaving that way, at least I haven't. The whole competition thing bothers me, which is actually my whole point, see above.

I also don't think an inordinate focus was put on the plasma TV looters, but that's just my opinion.

I would hope you don't see anyone behaving that way since it's been a year since the storm . It's not a competition, it's about recognition. I guess if all the focus was on the MS coast you would see the point. I know both places were devestated and I love both places . I was planning on working at Charity Hospital and had turned in my application the week before Katrina hit. I really wish you could hear the tone of my voice because it's not hostile in any way. I was reading the "we still need help" thread and thought maybe if I put us out there some ppl would visit also. No competition meant. Just wanted to let folks know the MS coast is still hurting also since they never hear about them.

Oh, have you not been to the FQ and seen the t-shirts? One says "I survived Katrina and all I got was a 42" plasma screen, new tennis shoes and a cadillac". I thought it was in poor taste, but they are there.

 

[VirtuallyMe]

As someone from South WEST Louisiana who was hit by Rita- that other storm that hit Louisiana- I can completely sympathize with those from Mississippi and areas of Louisiana outside of the New Orleans Metropolitan area...

I understand the forgotten feeling- when communities of people here are completely wiped out- and almost all paid flood and hurricane insurance- many for a few decades and are getting NO money...

I think it is sad- and I have inlaws in New Orleans- my grandmother-in-law lost her home in the post Katrina floods- and the destruction there is horrible and will take forever to rebuild- and I doubt the city will ever return to what it was (some may argue that to be a good thing in some cases)...

But I do remind people that Mississippi and other areas of Louisiana were destroyed- when they ask about the storm- of course I start by pointing out that there were two storms that hit Louisiana (three if you count the one that happened pre-Katrina)-

And when people remember- even in a small way- like asking me how I'm doing post storm when they hear I'm from SW LA- it means a lot. And we have had some wonderful people that have remembered our area- especially with the Girl Scouting community- I'm still getting contacted by leaders out there asking how they can help- and I usually try to send them to Mississippi too

Good luck to all as we wait and watch for next storm- coming soon- with a sort of sick feeling this time... I don't want it to hit anywhere...

But I do keep all areas hit in my thoughts and prayers- my community is lucky to be back on its feet- for the most part- but south of us- looks just like the Mississippi coastline... still a long way to go, but I've found that the people of the Gulf Coast are strong and resiliant- and although it isn't easy they will keep going and they will survive

 

[Tine731]

I went to the Mississippi gulf coast recently and let me tell you it's almost as bad as the week after the storm. I've lived here all my life and I was lost on the beach without the familiar landmarks. They are all GONE! Not flooded, not molded G O N E! The beautiful houses are gone, just weeded empty lots where generations of families used to live. There are people still living in tents next to FEMA trailers. It is a pitiful sight and all the media tells about is New Orleans. Don't get me wrong, I live so close to New Orleans it almost feels like I grew up there also. I love the city, but get tired of everyone talking about it. Nobody mentions Mississippi. New Orleans flooded due to the failure of the levee system. Our coast was wiped out due to storm surge and high winds. If you want to see images and video of the storm surge taken by some guys in the Beau Rivage parking garage, go to hurricanekatrinasucked.com. They recorded Katrina at the worst of the storm. The video of the storm surge is unbelievable. I was just under the overpass and was looking up and can't comprehend how high the water was. I showed my son and all he could say was," If we were right here during Katrina we would've drowned." He is 6 and could understand the magnitude of the destruction. If you come down to the south, please take a drive down Highway 90 that runs along the beach. It is unbelievable at the total destruction there. Please say a prayer for the people still living in FEMA trailers and the folks staying in the tents beside them.

Well said. Thank you.