This weekend marks the ten year anniversary of when hurricane Katrina slammed into the shores of the Mississippi gulf coast, effectively flooding many areas, destroying homes, lives, and property. All of my family lives in the New Orleans area, and I grew up about 30 minutes north of the city. This time ten years ago was a very scary and uncertain time for my family.
We had six people, a dog, and a cat in my one bedroom apartment at college in Jackson, Mississippi, and we had no idea if the business my parents owned in Kenner (right next to the New Orleans airport) was going to be there when they got back, or if their house would be standing. I have told my story here on the blog before, so instead of retelling, I am just going to share a couple of links with you at the bottom of this post.
Trying to look happy and like we were having fun all hanging out together…but we were very scared of what was going to happen.
While New Orleans and the Mississippi gulf coast look much better now than they did right after the awful storm, I can assure you, that for the people that still live there, things are not “the same” or “back to normal” and probably never will be. We are so thankful that damage my family sustained was in property and not lost lives, but many were not so lucky. Let’s all keep those family members in our prayers this weekend as they are having to re-live this awful time during the 10 year anniversary.
QOTD: Where were you during hurricane Katrina?
I remember what a devistating time that was for folks in that area. I had just come back from my first trip in Seattle and turned on the news to see what was happening and was shocked! Glad your family was safe! Everything else I guess can be replaced.
Seems like ages ago…but also like yesterday.
I’d just begun my senior year in college (in Mobile, AL) and evacuated to Atlanta with roommates. My now-husband was a mutual friend who also traveled with us and we really got to know each other in ATL while watching his neighborhood (in NOLA) take on 17 feet of water. We started dating shortly after, and got married in ’08. It was challenging to begin our relationship as his family was displaced and we all went through some major survivors guilt, but I love sharing that our love story began amidst a disaster. Good things can come from the bad! <3
Thinking of your family and all others in LA/MS/AL still feeling the effects.
We were driving back into Lousisna from Texas on I-10 (was a bday celebration) and I remember we were literally the only ones driving East. The interstate was full of vehicles evacuating West. Who knew just a few weeks later, we would be doing the same because of Hurricane Rita! Crazy!!
I live in Houston, we were holled up at my dad’s house waiting to see what would happen. No one was really prepared which made Rita a crazy time and everyone made a big huge deal over it and nothing happened.