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SNOOPY

KATRINA

08/29/2005

Waveland, MS the Forgotten City

Population 8,000

 

OUR  STORY

My Husband and I bought a new home 1/4 mile from the beach and moved to Waveland in February 2005 from Arkansas. WE both loved living here and then our dreams came to an end when Katrina hit. On Saturday 8-27-05, Katrina was in the Gulf heading toward the Texas - Louisiana Line and we thought we were okay. Then Sunday Morning it turned into a Category 5 and heading more toward New Orleans, that is when we decided to evacuate. We could not go north or west due to the fact New Orleans had the traffic tied up so we went east toward Florida. We packed our truck and took our cat Squeeky and headed for I 10 and it was one big parking lot. Our plans were to make it to Pensacola, FL. which should only be a 3 hour trip, well 15 hours later we made it. all the motel rooms were full and we found one that had a vacancy.

We stayed glued to CNN and then on Monday early morning Pensacola lost their electricity, we had no idea what was happening at home. At 5AM I was able to get through to the Police Department in Waveland and all I got from them before we lost our disconnection was "The water was coming in, All emergency offices were leaving due to the storm and it was bad". We had no idea really how bad it was. Like I stated above Pensacola was without power, no food, no restaurants were open, we found one 7/11 store that was selling food in the dark, a $.59 burrito was going for $7.00, so for two burritos and two bag of chips and one cake snack we spent $25.00, talk about price gouging. On Monday I called FEMA and registered just in case we needed them. We had paid up to Tuesday, thinking we could go home by then, but we learned our lesson, we had no idea our bank's main branch  "Hancock Bank" was destroyed in Gulfport, all our credit cards stopped working. The Motel wanted us out, and they would not take a check, That day they kicked 17 out for the same reason. I called the state highway department and asked if we could get home, all they told me it was all underwater, remember we were still without electricity so we had no idea of the destruction that had taken place. All we were told that  I 10 in Mobile was still flooded in the tunnel, so headed out hoping to head north. We started west and made it to the town before Mobile and went north. Here is a map of our route we took.

We headed north out of mobile and the road should have closed off, But it wasn't. We saw pure kayos, lines for gas, food, you name it. then we hit the road heading toward Meridian, MS.  Trees, roofs, building pieces all over the road. then in front of us we caught up with an 18 wheeler, ( I am just sorry we were not able to thank him), going between 25 and 30 MPH the Semi in front was pushing all the debris out of the way so we could both make it through.  I just wish I had a camera with us to take a picture of all this. We hit Meridian and no electricity there also, but we did find a Ma-Pop place that was cooking outdoors and it was great to finally have something good to eat it had been two days. We loaded up on snack foods and some can goods we could open and eat cold. We then headed for Jackson, all this time when we saw some sign of lights on, we tried our Credit card, no dice and no cell phone or land line telephone. We made it to Jackson and headed south and was stopped, we could not go any further. we found a quiet road and camped out for 2 days. Squeeky our cat had the run of the back of the truck and we slept in front, but it was still hot and humid. On Thursday, we were able to call the state highway and they told us only residents could get in on Friday-Saturday, that were still doing search and rescue for people who stayed and didn't make it. We heard that and we were sick to think what we were going home to. He did tell us that on I 10 at Diamondhead ( 3 miles away from the Waveland exit) had a motel or motel sign on the road and the exit for Waveland was still under water.    

Well, Saturday came and we were able to make it to I 10 via Louisiana. We headed east to exit 13 which is the road to Waveland.  We got off the freeway and the 1st thing you saw was the waterline at the freeway  ----     and all the debris. ----- We headed south on HWY 90 and off to the left use to be a small Marina, Landing ----- all gone, 90 was lined with cars scattered all the ditches ----- and off to left (I wish I had a picture) was  jet ski up in a pine tree about 25 Feet. Here is a group of pictures going down 90.

There was a check point we had to go through to get in. ---- Then we headed for the house. Well, Our boat was gone that we took out of the Marina on Saturday before Katrina, no telling what happened to that, Our house was still partially standing, Our pond and waterfall in front was gone, all the fencing, pine trees, houses everything had disappeared. Our neighbor's carport next door was still their and he still had running water. I found a shower curtain in the ditch and mad a makeshift shower next door. that was our shower for the next few weeks. Our neighbor down the street had a pool and that was their shower. Our outbuildings had disappeared, I found one partial a block away. There were boats, cars all over and parts of houses everywhere you looked. We went through the house to find can goods and food we could eat. Our neighbor's cat had kittens a few weeks before Katrina under their shed, I though for sure  they were dead also, But after we were there about an hour here she came, I am sure the kittens died, How she survived the 35" water I do not know.

We had two neighbors who had stayed and did no evacuate, the one across the street had climbed up into the attic when the water started coming in. She said that there was white caps of water coming down the street. The water got half way up to her attic stairs and stopped. She told us whatever you do, don't drink the water; the water and sewer lines had broken in Waveland and contaminated the water. If I did not mention before, the smell is what knocked you for a loop! You could smell death, sewerage, mold and who knows what, it was the worst smell I have ever smelt. Our other neighbor two doors down who stayed, fell asleep on his couch. he told us he woke up with the water on his feet, by then he had no place to go, the water was coming in too fast. he broke a window and swam with the current. He ended up in a pine tree without a stitch of clothes on, the 165 mile hour winds had literally ripped them off and he was rescued by  the National Guard. Now back to the water, no one had bought in any supplies, there was no FEMA, the National Guard had guarded our SuperWalmart, which was dirty, at least the residents could have had some food and water. There was no FEMA, RED CROSS,  no one for over 9 days. And if you were lucky enough to pick up a radio Station all you heard was how bad New Orleans had it. We ended up leaving and going to Oakdale, La to a friend's house and then rented a small apartment for a few months before we ended up in Arizona. The following month we mad several trips back to the house. In the next few weeks after Katrina hit, a group called the Rainbow Relief Team came to Waveland. They erected the "The Waveland cafe " out of tents and all volunteers. They were the first to bring food and supplies to Waveland. Below you will see there cafe they brought in. I want to give special thanks to them for all  the work they did. FEMA was a joke, Bush did nothing for us, all you heard was New Orleans. When Bush did finally show up in Waveland, I wish the truth of the Media showed exactly what happened, not what was staged. My neighbor said he was booed, yelled at etc. When Bush gave that speech in new Orleans and said he was giving all victims $100,00.00, that was the biggest pack of lies. When we did go to Arizona, you do not know how many people asked us when we got the $100,00.00!!!!! I think this picture I found said it all.

We did find our Boat 3/4 mile away. here are some before and after pictures:

It is now October 2007 and we are still fighting with insurance companies like everyone else. We had all the insurance you need, we had Flood, Hurricane and still fighting.

Please see some before and after pictures here: Click Here

This complex sits on U.S. 90 in a parking lot in Waveland.	All sorts of supplies are available from this open air market
Faith-based volunteers staff relief stations and distribute supplies.	This in no small operation. People need the help
The food tent is operated by the Rainbow group. Note the white pages, those are updates from Civil Defense	Here a volunteer from the Rainbow group at work cooking. Nearly 1,000 people a day are fed here.
A shower is in a nearby building for survivors and volunteers, many who are living in tents.	With debris and nails everywhere on roads, a volunteer fixes flats. An air pump is on top of his Jeep.
Supplies arrive from everywhere, but more is needed	A small medical tent is also available at the site.

Gutted homes, one slammed up against the other.	This debris is nearly as tall as a two story house.
This is more than most homes have left.	Huge steel frame from a destroyed condo complex
This street once had homes	On every street, giant piles of debris from clearing road.
This is what was left of a condominium on the beach.	Dozens of cars and trucks were washed into ditches. Owners tried parking on roadways to avoid flooding. It wasn't high enough.
Patriotism lives even in the worse conditions	Humor is found in these stark conditions
Throughout the area only the rubble of homes remain	Railroad track hangs in air

CSX Railroad across Bay St. Louis. Repairs underway.
Bay St. Louis Bridge

This is what remains of the frontage road in Old Town.

Image 34 Search and rescue workers are seen in Waveland Ms. following Hurricane Katrina, Aug. 31,2005.	Image 36 Residents of Waveland.Ms. carry out items they were able to salvage from the wreckage of their homes after Hurricane Katrina Aug. 31,2005. Image 130 The K-Mart parking lot in Waveland Ms., has become a shoppng mecca for displaced people after Hurricane Katrina and a place to register with FEMA and the SBA.	Image 36 Residents of Waveland.Ms. carry out items they were able to salvage from the wreckage of their homes after Hurricane Katrina Aug. 31,2005. Image 130 The K-Mart parking lot in Waveland Ms., has become a shoppng mecca for displaced people after Hurricane Katrina and a place to register with FEMA and the SBA.
Image 35 Search and rescue workers are seen in Waveland Ms. following Hurricane Katrina, Aug. 31,2005.

Image 136 The NC-SMAT Team is set up in the Waveland K-Mart parking lot complete with helicopter landing area and they intend n staying at least 12 weeks to help with Katrina relief efforts.The Mobile unit was part of a billion dolllar HomeLand Security Grant.	Image 137 The K-Mart parking lot in Waveland Ms., has become a shoppng mecca for displaced people after Hurricane Katrina. Christian Life Ministries has set up relief services in the parking lot to help aide victims on the coast.
Image 138 The K-Mart parking lot in Waveland Ms., has become a shoppng mecca for displaced people after Hurricane Katrina. Christian Life Ministries has set up relief services in the parking lot to help aide victims on the coast.

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