Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Katrina, Katrina
We’ll begin by thanking Amy for letting those few who haven’t been in contact with us know that we’re ok. Having said as much, we also must admit to feeling some pressure to produce novel “neat” stories for those who are familiar with our predicament.
Yes indeed, Michelle and I did come through Katrina without serious damage to either our persons or possessions. There was, however, serious concern for our safety early Monday afternoon when the large pines on the north side of our apartment began slapping against the outer wall and roof. Of course, the manner in which each of us dealt with that concern was quite different. At the height of the storm, I took a two hour nap and Michelle began pulling the pictures off the north wall, moving her new sewing table away from said wall, and placing buckets beneath the three or four isolated leaks that had formed.
Before I had fallen asleep, Michelle and I had been watching Katrina methodically shuck the many layers of Club Memories II behind our place. First came the lattice fencing surrounding the outdoor patio, then the Bud Light banners, then the metal flashing…it was at this point that I commenced with the napping. When I awoke, Club Memories II was without half of its flashing and the entire patio had collapsed. In all, Hurricane Katrina dealt Hattiesburg, which lies approximately 100 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, 5.18 inches of rainfall and 100mph winds.
In the days that followed, Michelle and I began making our way around town to survey the damage. In certain areas, stop signs laid flat on their backs, towering pines were snapped like toothpicks, roofs had been torn off, windows blasted through, cars crushed, and stop lights tossed 200 feet into adjacent ditches. Ah yes, and the lines...we mustn't forget the lines. Lines for gas, lines for food, lines of traffic, lines for ice, lines for water...and then the real necessities: lines for beer and cigarettes.
If anyone is interested, the Hattiesburg-American has a photo gallery, which has detailed much of the aftermath and reaction to Hurricane Katrina here in town.
Of course, none of this was as catastrophic as what those on the coast experienced and we aim to expound more upon that in a day or two. For now, we're headed home where the food is. Always food, isn't it? We both love and miss you all...our last confession will be that it was awfully nice knowing so many folks were concerned for our safety. Thanks for all the positive thoughts.
Yes indeed, Michelle and I did come through Katrina without serious damage to either our persons or possessions. There was, however, serious concern for our safety early Monday afternoon when the large pines on the north side of our apartment began slapping against the outer wall and roof. Of course, the manner in which each of us dealt with that concern was quite different. At the height of the storm, I took a two hour nap and Michelle began pulling the pictures off the north wall, moving her new sewing table away from said wall, and placing buckets beneath the three or four isolated leaks that had formed.
Before I had fallen asleep, Michelle and I had been watching Katrina methodically shuck the many layers of Club Memories II behind our place. First came the lattice fencing surrounding the outdoor patio, then the Bud Light banners, then the metal flashing…it was at this point that I commenced with the napping. When I awoke, Club Memories II was without half of its flashing and the entire patio had collapsed. In all, Hurricane Katrina dealt Hattiesburg, which lies approximately 100 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, 5.18 inches of rainfall and 100mph winds.
In the days that followed, Michelle and I began making our way around town to survey the damage. In certain areas, stop signs laid flat on their backs, towering pines were snapped like toothpicks, roofs had been torn off, windows blasted through, cars crushed, and stop lights tossed 200 feet into adjacent ditches. Ah yes, and the lines...we mustn't forget the lines. Lines for gas, lines for food, lines of traffic, lines for ice, lines for water...and then the real necessities: lines for beer and cigarettes.
If anyone is interested, the Hattiesburg-American has a photo gallery, which has detailed much of the aftermath and reaction to Hurricane Katrina here in town.
Of course, none of this was as catastrophic as what those on the coast experienced and we aim to expound more upon that in a day or two. For now, we're headed home where the food is. Always food, isn't it? We both love and miss you all...our last confession will be that it was awfully nice knowing so many folks were concerned for our safety. Thanks for all the positive thoughts.
# posted by Jude : 3:47 PM
