Sixteen years… sixteen years and the memories haunt me even more today than they did then.
August 28, 2021: Day Before Hurricane Ida
At 4 o’clock in the morning, I’m awakened with a sense of urgency to pack and prepare to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Ida. Anxiety and panic set in, but after praying and reading the Bible, a calmness washes over me, allowing me to eventually drift back to sleep.
August 28, 2005: Day Before Hurricane Katrina
My phone rings at 8 am—it’s my mother, urging me to leave New Orleans due to Hurricane Katrina’s impending threat, likening it to the devastation of Hurricane Camille. Memories of Camille’s impact on my childhood haunt me as I persuade my then-husband to evacuate with me. Despite the harrowing journey through traffic and his mother’s reluctance to leave, I departed with only essential items and a few clothes, unaware it would be my last time in that house—a harbinger of the end of my marriage.
As I headed towards North Louisiana where my family awaited, my husband called to say they were finally leaving. I agreed to wait in Hammond, LA, but their route redirected towards Bush, near Covington. It was too late for me to reach North Louisiana, so I stayed with friends in Hammond, preparing for the storm together.
August 29, 2021: Hurricane Ida’s Impact
Hurricane Ida made landfall near Grand Isle in the afternoon. Surrounded by family, we watched the relentless weather unfold. Tornado warnings punctuated the night, but fortunately, we were spared at my grandma’s house. Exhausted, I finally slept around midnight.
August 29, 2005: Hurricane Katrina’s Devastation
At 4 am, Hurricane Katrina’s wrath hit. Electricity failed, and my friends and I huddled in darkness, waiting out the storm. With daylight, attempts to contact family were futile as phone lines were down. We endured until conditions improved.
August 30, 2021: Day After Hurricane Ida
Today, my dad and I surveyed our area. We checked on my brother’s house and visited Waveland, Mississippi, witnessing high waves and resilient wildlife amidst the aftermath. Flooding was evident near the Jordon River and Bay St. Louis. Reflecting at home, I found solace in writing and introspection.
August 30, 2005: Day After Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath drove me and my friends to Jackson, Mississippi, where we finally reached cell service and gas. In Bastrop, Louisiana, I faced the reality of devastation—my New Orleans neighbourhood submerged, and everything I owned was lost. Reports of the devastated Mississippi Gulf Coast added to the despair, forever altering my perspective.
Final Thoughts on Hurricane Experiences
Surviving the worst shapes resilience and perspective. Katrina’s aftermath once felt insurmountable, yet Hurricane Ida’s arrival stirred buried emotions. Months later, revisiting my former home, the waterline etched on the walls, and a resilient bamboo plant amidst debris reminded me of endurance and renewal.