The Katrina Aftermath

Sadler's Apartments -- 2 blocks from the condo where we stayed -- completely destroyed along with more than 100 condominiums along Beach Boulevard.

Like many people, we've been keeping a close eye on Hurricane Katrina and the havoc left in her wake. Having just returned from a vacation in Biloxi/Gulfport, we've spotted many familiar landmarks on the news that are now obliterated. The famous Biloxi lighthouse, once surrounded by light poles, traffic signals and trees, is now the only thing still standing in that spot in the middle of Highway 90/Beach Boulevard. The new Hard Rock Cafe, with its "world's largest" guitar/sign, was set to open next month and will now have to be completely rebuilt.

But the worst news from Biloxi that I've seen so far is a report of 30 people dead in the St. Charles Apartment complex. St. Charles street is just one block west of the Magnolia Gardens condos where we stayed at the corner of St. George and Beach Blvd. It just makes it all hit close to home. I can see those apartments, see those people who were hanging out on their balconies just a couple of weeks ago.

We've also been watching closely for news from LJ's sister and brother-in-law, Becky and Rick. They drove to New Orleans last Friday and set sail Saturday afternoon on a 4-day Carnival Cruise to Cozumel. Becky called last night (collect from a phone on the ship) to tell us that the ship is being re-routed to Galveston where they are being asked to debark and find transportation home from there. Becky asked us to help locate a rental car in Galveston -- something we're finding to be perhaps impossible. And the question now is: Can they travel from Galveston back to New Orleans to retrieve their car? Will New Orleans be accessbile for driving by Friday? Will their car even still be there? I'm beginning to think they should simply drive (or take a bus) from Galveston back home and plan on being without their car for weeks if not months.


This demolished Dairy Queen in Gulfport sits across Beach Boulevard from a Mexican restaurant where we ate.


A sad image taken on Beach Boulevard in Biloxi.

Praying for the innocent victims:


Ninety-year old woman taking shelter in the Louisiana Superdome.


A family rescued from their flooded home in New Orleans.


A deer rests on the shoulder next to flooding along Interstate 10 at the Mississippi state line.