Post by Sonya on Oct 9, 2005 13:13:09 GMT -5
I have been in touch with several of our Charter Members who are in the Hurricane Rita region. Rosemarie is in Mississippi and is okay. I haven't heard from Carolyn or Charlene. I received the following email from Kaye:
Hello ladies.
First of all, let me say I am SO thankful to be alive. We left home Thursday before Rita destroyed our Parish on Friday nite and Saturday morning. We went to Bossier City to be "safe" from the storm but we rode it out even up there with at least 80+ miles per hour gust with sustaining winds of at least 30 - 40 mph. But, thank God, we were only without electricity for about 2 hours. My pump battery doesn't last very long.
Then, Saturday as I tried to reach my youngest daughter in Many, LA at Toledo Bend, I got no response. When I finally did, as the news was
saying there were tornado warnings for Sabine Parish, Christi managed to somehow get through to my cell phone for just a brief moment. She told me that tornados were whipping all around them and Travis had made a "tent" in the hallway with mattresses for the kids to get under and be safe. Christi said, "Momma the tornados are everywhere! We've lost count of them". Then silence. I lost contact with her for almost 2 days. I was about to die from worry. But, thank God, they survived and didn't get a hit from the tornados.
Monday Brian contacted a friend of ours who lives in SW Houston. Brian wanted to be closer to home so when we could get in, we wouldn't have to drive so far. So we packed our bags again and headed south to Houston. That's where we are now. Being "homeless" didn't feel so good. And I tell you folks that has never experienced it, it's awful.
Friday, we were allowed to enter Cameron Parish. As we headed east toward Louisiana, the destruction was beyond belief. It started even as far west as Winnie, Texas. The closer we got to Louisiana, the destruction was worse. And, to think that even Calcasieu Parish, the Parish north of Cameron, was torn up so bad I couldn't believe my eyes. (I do have photos for you if you want)
Then we arrived in Hackberry! OMG, it was horrible. More than 80% of the homes there were either destroyed or severely damaged. Our house that Jared & Jessica lived in was was blown off of the piers and at least 10 - 15 feet westward. We went in only to find a slushy mud and oil on the floors and the furniture all destroyed. Nothing salvageable it it. We left with what we had and now, that's it. Our lives and a few clothes to last us. But in the scheme of things, we are very blessed. No one lost a life in the storm except animals. A friend of ours in Holly Beach had over 500 head of cattle and all he could find were 12.
How do you start over when something like this happens. It's like a death but of a different caliber. A death of a lifestyle that once was. Now, all that we had must be tossed and start over. Whew! I can't stop crying. I've seen the houses and I can't believe this was our precious loving community. Our Parish! (aka county for everyone but those from Louisiana)
I watched and prayed as Katrina took her toll on New ORleans and Mississippi and Alabama & even Florida. We took evacuees and helped them for 3 weeks ... never dreaming that we'd one day soon be in the same shoes.
I am just thankful we're all alive because when you see the pictures I took, you'll understand why. I love ya'll and I really understand now what people say in a time like this ... "I always thought it'd happen to someone else. Not me". Well, it did.
And, to Rosemarie, if I didn't tell you before, let me tell you now that when Brian & I went on vacation to go to Nick's rodeo in Pueblo, Colorado ... we went through Tyler Tx and I fell in love with it. Brick roads and quaint little subdivisions. Absolutely a beautiful city to live in. Just wanted to tell you that. Love ya.
Well, a FEMA rep is on the phone and I am supposed to talk to him. WHen they call, we pay attention.
Love to you all ...
Kaye
Hello ladies.
First of all, let me say I am SO thankful to be alive. We left home Thursday before Rita destroyed our Parish on Friday nite and Saturday morning. We went to Bossier City to be "safe" from the storm but we rode it out even up there with at least 80+ miles per hour gust with sustaining winds of at least 30 - 40 mph. But, thank God, we were only without electricity for about 2 hours. My pump battery doesn't last very long.
Then, Saturday as I tried to reach my youngest daughter in Many, LA at Toledo Bend, I got no response. When I finally did, as the news was
saying there were tornado warnings for Sabine Parish, Christi managed to somehow get through to my cell phone for just a brief moment. She told me that tornados were whipping all around them and Travis had made a "tent" in the hallway with mattresses for the kids to get under and be safe. Christi said, "Momma the tornados are everywhere! We've lost count of them". Then silence. I lost contact with her for almost 2 days. I was about to die from worry. But, thank God, they survived and didn't get a hit from the tornados.
Monday Brian contacted a friend of ours who lives in SW Houston. Brian wanted to be closer to home so when we could get in, we wouldn't have to drive so far. So we packed our bags again and headed south to Houston. That's where we are now. Being "homeless" didn't feel so good. And I tell you folks that has never experienced it, it's awful.
Friday, we were allowed to enter Cameron Parish. As we headed east toward Louisiana, the destruction was beyond belief. It started even as far west as Winnie, Texas. The closer we got to Louisiana, the destruction was worse. And, to think that even Calcasieu Parish, the Parish north of Cameron, was torn up so bad I couldn't believe my eyes. (I do have photos for you if you want)
Then we arrived in Hackberry! OMG, it was horrible. More than 80% of the homes there were either destroyed or severely damaged. Our house that Jared & Jessica lived in was was blown off of the piers and at least 10 - 15 feet westward. We went in only to find a slushy mud and oil on the floors and the furniture all destroyed. Nothing salvageable it it. We left with what we had and now, that's it. Our lives and a few clothes to last us. But in the scheme of things, we are very blessed. No one lost a life in the storm except animals. A friend of ours in Holly Beach had over 500 head of cattle and all he could find were 12.
How do you start over when something like this happens. It's like a death but of a different caliber. A death of a lifestyle that once was. Now, all that we had must be tossed and start over. Whew! I can't stop crying. I've seen the houses and I can't believe this was our precious loving community. Our Parish! (aka county for everyone but those from Louisiana)
I watched and prayed as Katrina took her toll on New ORleans and Mississippi and Alabama & even Florida. We took evacuees and helped them for 3 weeks ... never dreaming that we'd one day soon be in the same shoes.
I am just thankful we're all alive because when you see the pictures I took, you'll understand why. I love ya'll and I really understand now what people say in a time like this ... "I always thought it'd happen to someone else. Not me". Well, it did.
And, to Rosemarie, if I didn't tell you before, let me tell you now that when Brian & I went on vacation to go to Nick's rodeo in Pueblo, Colorado ... we went through Tyler Tx and I fell in love with it. Brick roads and quaint little subdivisions. Absolutely a beautiful city to live in. Just wanted to tell you that. Love ya.
Well, a FEMA rep is on the phone and I am supposed to talk to him. WHen they call, we pay attention.
Love to you all ...
Kaye