Hurricane Katrina, as remembered by soneone who went through it.
May we always remember, and never forget!!
It's now been two years since that damfool hurricane; yet the memories I have are still as sharp as ever. I have nightmares of that storm; I haven't slept good in God knows how long. I close my eyes, and all I see are images, images of flooded streets, dead, bloated bodies baking in the hot, humid Louisiana sun, shells of what once were houses, and see nothing but destruction, total devastation. I still smell the odors of dirty, dank, stagnant water, bodies decomposing in the sun, the stink of unwashed bodies, the pungent odor of animal and human waste. I still hear the keening cries of babies squallin' for water or food, the weak, feeble cries of the sick and/or dying, the cries of anger or frustration from victims demanding answers or swift action to their plight, or the constant whirring of helicopter blades slashing the air as the relief teams search for people trapped in their homes or dead bodies or drop supplies.
I still remember the high, unnerving scream of the brutal, hurricane-force winds as the storm slammed ashore, and watching the walls of the building expand in and out, in and out, like giant lungs, praying, hoping the building would hold--before the power died, sending everyone into a state of panic. I remember hearing the heavy sheets of rain hitting outside--it sounded like artillery fire--, and watching the water seeping in through the doors and/or windows, watching it inch steadily upward, wondering if we were going to die by drowning, hoping rescue personnel would find us in time.
I lived in New Orleans, Louisiana, all my life; I knew if s hurricane ever struck our area, it would be bad; but never in all my borned days did I ever imagine it would be as bad, as horrific, as it was. It was beyond everything I had ever heard or read about in news reports or articles.
Now we are still trying to recover what we have lost, and I'm afraid New Orleans has lost her charm, her soul. Two years later, there are still people in need of help, people living in FEMA-issued trailers, people still trying to regain what Hurricane Katrina took from them, and signs of damage still appallingly apparent in parts of the city. Crime is still on the rampage here, we have a governor who doesn't give a fuck about the needs of New Orleans' neediest citizenry, a corrupt local government (and state governor), a shortage of police and other rescue personnel, and still no answers as to what happened (or why)--and how to fix the damage that has already been done.
America took only 24 hours to respond helping the victims of a earthquake far far away.
America as yet not helped Katrina victims, just a few for windows dressing.
Shame!!!
Georg
Your story is real and raw, which should touch an emotional heart string in people, along with arousing the nervous sustem to scream...WHY ARE THESE PEOPLE STILL WAITING FOR HELP??? This a good follow-up story to an American Tragedy.
Pam
Very real writing. I thought I was there. I have not forgotten Katrina victims and the fact that they still suffer the same problems they had 2 years ago. Excellent. Liz
I truly hope all these folks finally get the damned help they truly need and deserve, from all of us. Now they're finding out that many living in those FEMA trailers are getting deathly ill from them - many of these trailers are lined with formeldehyde walls.
And I truly hope America Wakes Up Soon, before the next major disaster strikes.
Karen, your story holds nothing back, but paints Katrina just as it was. It was a horrible happening, and a devastation for thousands of people. I pray such will never happen again either. Your story has captured the reality of just how terrible Katrina was and how it destroyed a city and people's lives. Well done.
A page-turning novel about a relationship between best friends that is interrupted because of betrayal , deceit, sexual promiscuity and pregnancy happens!
Suspenseful and close to home, Rain of Deception 2 will leave you in Tears. Much like Part 1, this will shocking sequel will keep you on the edge of your fingertips.
