9-11 - New Memories

Four years ago, our nation suffered attacks wrought by Islamic jihadis and nearly 3,000 people died in those attacks. I will never forget the images of the WTC towers burning and collapsing, the Pentagon burning, and the heroic efforts of those on Flight 93. Nor will I ever forget the response that President Bush gave that comforted our nation.

However, due to Hurricane Katrina, I will now have new memories to mark this tragic day in American history. At the beginning of the week, Mississippi Power vowed that it would restore power to 100% of it's customers that can receive power and by God they are going to make it!

Power has even been restored to my brother's house which is located south of the railroad tracks in Gulfport. An area that was decimated by Hurricane Katrina. The storm surge stopped at his door step. He has damage to his floor boards from the wave action under the house. But his house now has power.

Mississippi Power restoration update – Day 12

Saturday, September 10, 2005
Contact: Kurt Brautigam or Mike Tyndall, 404.506.5333 or 866.506.5333

GULFPORT, MS -- Mississippi Power employees and outside workers have restored service to 98 percent of the company’s customers who can receive power. Southern Company

What is so remarkable about this achievement is that the power plant itself was flooded, the distribution lines were mowed down by the winds of Hurricane Katrina, and over 30,000 power poles had to be replaced. After the storm, it was estimated that it would be 1 to 2 months before power could be restored. With the efforts of utility men and women from Canada, Georgia, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and many others, they were able to perform a miracle and have power restored in less than 2 weeks!!

As I said, I will never forget the attacks on the WTC, the Pentagon, and the heroic men and women of Flight 93. Those images will be a part of me forever but now I also have the positive memories of a miracle performed in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.