Go Away, Isaac

Here's a link to my memories of Katrina, seven years ago today.

May Isaac be only a breeze in comparison. Lord, have mercy. Please pray for all of us in Mississippi and Louisiana.

Katrina Anniversary

Today is the 4th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's devastation on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. New Orleans got the publicity, but the center of the storm hit Mississippi.

Here's what I wrote last year about our family's experiences during that storm.

I pray that nothing like this happens this year!

Hurricane Anniversary

Marshall Ramsey cartoon from the Jackson, MS The Clarion-Ledger

This Monday was the 40th anniversary of Hurricane Camille, which devastated the Mississippi gulf coast in 1969. Next week will be the 4th anniversary of Katrina, which landed around Waveland, MS on August 29, 2005.

God be with us this year.

Hope in "Stuff"?

The Saturday before last we were visiting our son at Mississippi State University. He showed us an exhibit at their Student Union building of photos from the Mississippi Gulf Coast taken in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in August, 2005. The pictures were accompanied by stories of folks who lost everything material they had - homes, cars, pianos, priceless momentos -but found that faith and family, if properly grounded, can withstand any storm.

It was a good reminder for me to not place my hope in my "stuff."

When the plane went down in the Hudson River last month, no one tried to gather their belongings from the overhead bins. They evacuated the plane with nothing but the clothes on their backs - and were glad to have that. When life or death hang in the balance, no one cares about "stuff."

No one plans to write on their tombstone: "I had more stuff than the guy in the next hole."

So why are we so attached to our "stuff" rather than to what really matters? Why do we cling to the ephemeral rather than the eternal?

We Don't Like Ike!

First Fay, then Gustav, now Ike!

Let's all offer many prayers for the people of Galveston and Houston tonight and tomorrow.

Dodged the Bullet

Still raining here. However, it looks like the worst is past for us. New Orleans has apparently dodged the bullet this time.

Thank God!

But there are several other storms on the horizon. Let's keep praying.

Gustav

Everyone should say some prayers tonight and tomorrow for the people of New Orleans and the entire Gulf Coast.

Katrina: Three Years Later

Oh, Yeah - I well remember it.

On Sunday morning, August 28, 2005, the forecasts were frightening. I called my daughter in Hattiesburg -only a one hour drive from Gulfport- and begged her to come home before the storm hit. I warned her that a powerful storm like this would have a large impact on her so close to the shore. She resisted, but finally came home Sunday afternoon. 


Monday morning the storm hit just west of Gulfport. Biloxi and Gulfport got the 30 foot high storm surge on the eastern side of the storm. Many of the hotels and restaurants we have enjoyed over the years were gone forever in just a few hours. New Orleans on the west side of the storm got the heavy rain plus the winds over Lake Pontchartrain, resulting in the breaking and overflow of the levies.

Here is what I wrote to a friend in Maryland on Tuesday, August 30, 2005, the day after the storm:

We just got our power back about 3:15 after more than 24 hours without electricity.

The Jackson area got at least tropical force winds, possibly higher. Most of the area lost power. There are trees down all over our neighborhood, including one across our next door neighbors driveway. We drove through the neighborhood last evening and saw many trees down, some broken in half and some torn up by the roots. We have no damage that I can find, but still have a lot of limbs and branches to clear and dispose of. One very large branch bounced off our roof over the kitchen, but I don’t think we were damaged.

We are so thankful that Michelle took our advice and came home on Sunday. Her home in Hattiesburg is less than 100 miles from Gulfport. Hattiesburg got Category 3 hurricane force winds. The entire city is without power and has no water. There are trees down on every major street in Hattiesburg. All routes from Jackson to Hattiesburg or the coast are closed and impassible. A friend checked on her house and said there are trees on the roof but it does not look like the roof was penetrated.

You probably know more about conditions in New Orleans, Biloxi and Gulfport than I do. What a horrible mess and a great tragedy! Keep praying

I've been to New Orleans twice since Katrina. There is still a lot of damage there. The Mississippi coast communities were devastated and will never be the same. Landmarks that survived Hurricane Camille in 1969, and all the other storms for over 200 years, are gone for good.

Storms are a fact of life on the gulf coast. My brother and his family in Tampa, Florida have certainly seen their share of them. Now, according to current forecasts, Hurricane Gustaf might be heading right for the Louisiana coast. Hurrican Hanna threatens Florida. Here we go again!


Please pray for us, and for all the residents of the Gulf Coast.

Goodbye, Fay.

The rain finally stopped. Goodbye, Fay

Rain

It's raining. And raining. And raining. And raining.

Did I mention that it is raining?

Fay, Fay, go away. Don't come again another day!

Update: 8:30 pm. Guess what? It's Raining!