4 Months

I want to thank Matt at Blackfive. He graciously let me post at his site. It's about the lack of media attention to the destruction Hurricane Katrina caused in Mississippi. The post is called Mississippi: The Invisible Coast. I failed to make a copy so I could post it here.

Today, it will be 4 months since Hurricane Katrina slammed into my world. The changes are extreme and heartbreaking. But there is a feeling that we in Mississippi are starting to get back to what is termed "the new normal". The Isle of Capri has opened as the first land based casino on the Mississippi Coast. The wildlife is slowly coming back. Most of the live oak trees have leaves on them again. Rebuilding has slowed down this past week because of the holidays but will resume full-speed ahead next week. And I'm happy to report that the traffic lights that were blown away during the storm at the corner of Central and Rodriguez in D'Iberville are being replaced!!

The repairs at my sister's home are almost complete. More and more of the empty spaces where homes once stood are being replaced by FEMA trailers. And good news for me. A contractor asked how my house faired. He is one I've known for years. I am still almost embarrassed to say how little it was damaged and I am so grateful for that. But I explained to him that the soffit and fascia were blown off the south and east sides. I like to fell down when he told me he would come and check it out and would fix it for me at no cost on materials or labor!! I am so amazed at people's kindness.

On the work front, I am happy to report I'm only one month behind in my work. It's amazing how much you can accomplish in just two days when your bosses have resumed their habit of going hunting! But hey, they deserve this break. Three of my 5 bosses had their homes destroyed. The others still can't live in theirs because of water damage. I admire them so much because while they are rebuilding and repairing their homes, they are also rebuilding their business. They are also grateful. They did not have to go any funerals. Nor did I.

I wish I could say that the rebuilding along the Mississippi Coast will be finished in a years time. But I cannot. There is just too much destruction and it will be years before it is all over. But the rebuilding is ongoing and more homes are being repaired and more businesses are opening.

Below are some merged before and after pictures.



Deer Island - Biloxi It will take years before it recovers.




Biloxi - Piers at the Small Craft Harbor



Biloxi - Hard Rock Cafe Casino barge






Gulfport Beach - Blue Heron








Gulfport Beach - A brooding winter's afternoon






I have over 400 photos of the destruction in Biloxi, Gulfport, St Martin, and D'Iberville. I hope to be able to show comparison photos of the destruction and the completed rebuilding and the rehabilitation of natural habitats. At times, the rebuilding will seem to go at a snail's pace but it will be done.