Mother - age 53
1 girl - age 14

Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying in private home in New Orleans, LA

evacuated to MS, returned quickly to work on home. due to extenuating circumstances, now has custody of 14 y.o. granddaughter

Mother - age 52
Father - age 54
4 boys - 27, 22, 4, 2
1 girls - age 23

Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying in FEMA trailer in New Orleans, LA

Evacuated to Baton Rouge for a short time, then returned to work on the home, which is still in the process of being repaired.

Mother - age 44
1 girl - age 4
Female - age 63

Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying in New Orleans, LA

Evacuated to Houston for Katrina, then returned to resume employment and begin work on the damaged home.

Mother - age 49
Father - age 50
3 boys - age 22, 17, 15

Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying in FEMA in New Orleans, LA

Evacuated to Baton Rouge, then returned to resume employment & repair home (still in process of repair).

Mother - age 35
1 boy - age 8

Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying in private home in New Orleans, LA

 Thanks in advance for any help you can give

Mother - age 36
1 boy - age 14
2 girl - age 17 and 7

Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying in private home in Gretna, LA

 My name is Shannon Beck, and I am a case worker with Catholic Charities Katrina Aid Today program. I am signing this client's family up to receive sponsorship as a Christmas surprise. Please contact me at the above email address, or at 504-430-5182 with any questions. Thank you so much

Mother - age 47
Father - age 52
1 boys - age 14
1 female - age 20
1 girl - age 2

Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying in New Orleans, LA

My name is Shannon Beck, and I am a case worker with Catholic Charities Katrina Aid Today program. I am signing this client's family up to receive sponsorship as a Christmas surprise. Please contact me at the above email address, or at 504-430-5182 with any questions. Thank you so much

Mother - age 41
1 male - age 41
2 girls - ages 14 and 5

Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying in New Orleans, LA

My name is Shannon Beck, and I am a case worker with Catholic Charities Katrina Aid Today program. I am signing this client's family up to receive sponsorship as a Christmas surprise. Please contact me at the above email address, or at 504-430-5182 with any questions. Thank you so much

Mother - age 28
2 boys - age 9 and 5

Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying in New Orleans, LA

Thanks in advance for the help.

Mother - age 66
1 boy - age 39
3 girls - age 10, 7 and 39

Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying in Lake Charles, LA

My name is Shannon Beck, and I am a case worker with Catholic Charities Katrina Aid Today program. I am signing this client's family up to receive sponsorship as a Christmas surprise. Please contact me at the above email address, or at 504-430-5182 with any questions. Thank you so much

Mother - age 26
2 boys - ages 9 and 3
2 girls - age 5 and 5 months

Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying in New Orleans, LA

Thanks in advance for your support.

Mother - age 44
Father - age 45
1 girl - age 12

Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying in New Orleans, LA

My name is Shannon Beck, and I am a case worker with Catholic Charities Katrina Aid Today program. I am signing this client's family up to receive sponsorship as a Christmas surprise. Please contact me at the above email address, or at 504-430-5182 with any questions. Thank you so much

Mother - age 57
2 girls - age 22 and 3

Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying in FEMA trailer in New Orleans, LA

My name is Shannon Beck, and I am a case worker with Catholic Charities Katrina Aid Today program. I am signing this client's family up to receive sponsorship as a Christmas surprise. Please contact me at the above email address, or at 504-430-5182 with any questions. Thank you so much

Female - age 75

Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying in New Orleans, LA

My name is Shannon Beck, and I am a case worker with Catholic Charities Katrina Aid Today program. I am signing this client's family up to receive sponsorship as a Christmas surprise. Please contact me at the above email address, or at 504-430-5182 with any questions. Thank you so much

Mother - age 46
1 boy - age 5
3 girls - age 2, 29 and 21

Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying in Dallas, TX

13 feet of water no food or water for 3 days scary.

Mother - age 36
2 girl - age 14 and 9

Originally from Harvey, LA
Staying in Dallas, TX

We left the day before the storm. Ended up in Alabama where they were not the nicest folks. Red Cross Manager stated that the shelter was for surrounding parishes and where did we come from. I have never felt so unwelcomed. But through God's love we are here and my brother came from Texas and brought us here.

Mother - age 31
Father - age 33
3 girl - age 16 and 14 and 7

Originally from Westwego, LA
Staying in Avondale, LA

WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF REBUILDING OUT HOME IN AVONDALE, LA.

Mother - age 84
1 female - age 53

Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying in Seattle, WA

It is still hard to talk about- stayed during storm- got evacauated to Baton Rouge by schoolbus to airport, then shelter in Zachary, LA (where I learned the roof blew off my house-and got water which took out the floor furnace, appliances in the shed, etc. My mother's got structural damage, water, roof, etc.)  then up to the NW to friends house. We are now living in a small low- income apartment and are terrified of being homeless soon. The contractor in New Orleans stole the money and didn't finish the job- I wish everyday for a miracle- and that a licensed electrician, plumber, floor finisher, ac person and painters would appear and fix my little place so I could rent it out & we could stay in Seattle since my mother is terrified now to be in New Orleans. So am I- we are sitting ducks with no protection from the elements. I am here now and everything is for rent, sale, mostly sitting gutted and people are giving up- everyone is pretty much hopeless, exhausted, broke and shattered. The crime, murder and suiccides are way up- which doesn't get reported- no healthcare- I desparately need a dentist and my mother has lost much weight since the horror called Katrina. My guide dog died- and my mother's companion dog Sally is what keeps us together.

Male - age 29

Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying in Norcross, GA

My experience was kind of different, because I was incarcerated at the time when katrina hit. I was located in orleans parish prison, where I didn't eat or drink anything for four days straight. Then they finally moved us to other jails in Louisiana, and I can tell you first hand that this was not something I would want to go through again. Alot of the people were scared of the orleans evacuees, so because of that a bunch of people experienced beatings and such. It was horrible, we were really being treated like outcasts, refugees, ect.

And not to mention when I was finally released from prison

I tried to get my life, or what was left of my life back on track, I was shot eight times in a botched robbery attempted. The culprits didn't get anything, and I was blessed with another chance at life. So I moved to Ga. to

start a new life, but I really do need help starting over.

So please take in consideration my situation and help me anyway possible until I get everything back together.   

Thank you very much.     May GOD bless you all!

Mother - age 30
2 boys - age 61 and 27
3 girls - age 11, 9 and 7

Originally from Chalmette, LA
Staying in Pearl River, LA

Well we evacated that sunday the 28th ,went to Panama City,Fla.till that thursday couldn't afford the room rates anymore so we traveled to morehead,Kentucky to my sisters house because we new that we still couln't go back and we stayed there for about three weeks and came back.When we finally got back we couldn't believe what we saw everything that we had owned was gone we had nothing left!! we got 13 ft of water and 4ft of mud and oil and everything else you can possibly be there!!the worst was still to hit me when I realized that everything that I had left of my mom was gone see she died of breast canser when I was just 15 years old and I can never get any of that back and it still hurts me,my oldest daughter had to go to counseling for awhile after we are still picking up the pieces We are now living in Pearl River living with a friend just taking everything day by day.It's amazing how everything can be fine one day and everything gone the next.Thank You and God Bless!!!!

Mother - age 32
3 boys - age 16, 15 and 6
2 girls - age 13 and 12

Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying in Houston, TX

My kids and my cousin ,they all got together and build a boat. Then paddle down Alvar ST. till they found a canoe. Then they came to bring everybody to the school roof. Saint Mary's of the Angles and that's where we were rescue from.

Mother - age 49
2 boys - age 10 and 9

Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying with FEMA rental assistance in Memphis, TN

Left New Orleans the day before Hurrican Katrina.Was a renter of an appartment complex. Lost everything and have not been able to return.

Mother - age 39
2 girls - age 15 and 4 
1 female - age 60 (mother)

Originally from Gulfport, MS
Staying in FEMA trailer in Gulfport, MS

We evacutated to Jacksonville Florida,then to Memphis Tennessee.  On the way to Memphis, the car broke down and we had to rent a car to get back home.  Once we arrived we found our home destroyed.

Mother - age 27
1 girl - age 9

Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying in Baton Rouge, LA

Thank goodness my daughter and I or any of my family members didnt experience the superdome chaos,and left a day or two before the storm hit,but I do remember looking back at my apt as we loaded up and saying i should get some more stuff and then i said well no we'll be back in a few days tops, so i went inside grabbed only  food and a snack and left for my aunts house, now of course i wish my choice of last minute items would have been some things more sentimental than POTATO CHIPS! smile but I can truly say even though I lost it all, and grew super depressed ,I have been truly  been blessed to  be stable in a apt and to have a car, to have received help from others during this process even through christmas last year i received help from a very sweet lady and i know it was from the heart my daughter LOVEDDD all her gifts and so did I ,I didnt  think i would need to much help  again this year but the holidays are always rough and I did find a job and worked for a few months but couldnt continue  and will have to find something when my daughter is at school.Hopefully I'll be working before christmas so pray and we'll see. thanks again and any help is appreciated.Keisha.

Mother - age 42
2 boys - age 5 and 1
2 girls - age 19 and 11

Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying in Dallas, TX

WAS RESCUED FROM DA SUPERDOME.

Mother - age 71
5 boys - age 12, 6, 5, 28, 52
4 girls - age 10, 7 months, 26 and 30

Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying in New Orleans, LA

Adopted by Tau Beta Sigma at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN
YEAH! - Thank you!

My family was not able to evacuate, we rented a hotel room thinking we would be safe and high up in case of flooding. We under went the most terrible thing I have ever seen in my 71 years. There we stood wating to be rescued for 5 days with baby's, young children, and my sister and her two handicap boys who has cerebralpalsy ,one cann't walk or talk and the other needs help to walk,use the bathroom and eat. There at the hotel one of my granddaughters(Tracie) delivered a young womans baby. And there we all stood still wating for help. With help written on bed sheets and flashing light no one came. We where are out of food and water. Finally some men came up to the room and would only rescue us if we could pay them 500.00 it was impossible we didn't have the money so they left us there. My niece  yell out the window to someone she knew who was in a boat with his family this man said to her I will bring you this boat back and swim back to my family and he did. He kept his word. Then we began to go down in to the water in groups the baby's, children, the handicap boys me(71) and my sister(61) and the young adults walk in chest high water and guided the boat. We made it to the interstate. But we could not leave the other people we had met in that hotel so the young ones went back to help rescue others and get the wheelchair for one of the boys. When they came back to the interstate we begin to walk miles to the  superdome where we were turned around and told to go to the convention center. There we went walking to the convention center where we stood waiting 3 more days for buses to come. In the mist of fighting, shooting, hearing about rapes , sitting amongst the waste of other people. Some one came to us when they saw the two handicap boys and the little kids and we were heliported to the airport then seperated on different flights. Family members ended up in differnt states. Some of us in TX, MS, TN, ARK. Finally we are back home trying to rebuild our lives.

Mother - age 25
3 boys - age 16, 2 and 12

Originally from Wiggins, MS
Staying in Gautier, MS

SINGLE PARENT JUST BEGININING NURSING SCHOOL MONDAY BEFORE STORM CAME. NO PREPORATIONS,IN ATTIC WITH NEIGHBORS PRAYING TO SURVIVE. LEFT FOR SHELTER AFTER ONE LONG HOT WEEK WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION FOR FOOD OR ICE. HAD TO GO,HAD NO IMMEDIATE INCOME TO STAY IN THE DAMAGED HOME.

Mother - age 42
1 boy - age 15
1 nephew - age 17

Originally from Diberville, MS
Staying in FEMA park in Biloxi, MS

We knew we needed to evacuate but did not have enough funds to do so.  We had to swim out of our home which took in nearly 8 1/2 feet of water.  We went to the nearby school and broke in for dry shelter.  We went back to our home after a few days to find it totally destroyed.  We slept outside in a tent for the next month before fema gave us $2000 dollars which we used to purchase a vehicle to get out of town with.  For the next 7 months we lived in different motels until a fema trailer was issued.  We are still struggling to this day.  on top of all of this, my young nephew became homeless and he now resides with us as well.

Mother - age 43
2 boys - age 19 and 13
female - age 63 (grandmother)

Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying in New Orleans, LA

Left Sunday before the storm, there was lots of traffic and we really had no where to go.  Tried to head to Baton Rouge and was unable to go there because of the baracades, so we had to travel north and ended up in a church shelter in Magee, Mississippi.  The shelter was not equipped to handle us.  There was no food or lodging available.  There was no gas and no money available.  My mother's medication ran out and we had to go to a hospital to try to fill her much needed prescription.  The hospital was also hit by the storm and they had limited staff. 

We left Magee, Mississippi and went to Baton Rouge, and because of the amount of people there we were unable to get help, so we went to Houston, Texas.  Stayed in Houston for 11 months and have since returned to New Orleans.

The cost of living in New Orleans has now skyrocketed and we are trying to pay the expensive housing cost.  Its a difficult time, but God is good and I am glad to be back in New Orleans.

I am so glad that people still see a need to help.  It's been difficult trying to start over, but the Lord will see us through this and I thank Him for people like you.

Mother - age 50
1 girl - age 28

Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying in Houston, TX

When I first saw that we would have to evacuate, I was so stunned and really didn't know what I would do, because I didnt have any money.  My son-in-law is someone who hardly ever wanted to evacuate.  He called me and said, "Ma, I think we need to leave."  My late friend, Wellene Worthern, called me and asked if I wanted to come to Florida and I told her I could not leave my daughter and son-in-law.  She said well, I sending you $100.00 so go and pick it up at Western Union and get out of there.  My daughter and other family members evacuated Sunday morning before the storm and headed for Atlanta, GA.  We made it in 12 hours and the couple received us with open arms.  After getting there we watched the TV as the storm entered the city and also saw the amount of people who was still in the city at the Superdome.  The next day we stood in shock, as what we thought would be a short evacuation, turned into a lifetime change.  When I saw the Circle Food Store and how much water was in that area, I was so devestated.  This was an area I traveled daily to work and back home.  I knew if that area was covered in water, the area I lived in was covered. 

We spent so much time trying to contact loved ones and check on everybody, and then that became so hard to do as the phones stopped working.  My mother was evacuated to a Baton Rouge nursing home and I was unable to actually speak with her, but I knew she was safe.  Praise the Lord!  I watched in horror the way people was being treated and how many people died.  It is something that is so hard to explain. 

But, through it all, God has been there for us and is still with us just as he promised.

Mother - age 41
3 girls - age 13, 4 and 3
2 boys - age 15 and 14

Originally from Picayune, MS
Staying in FEMA trailer in Picayune, MS

we evacuated to a building in picayune that we thought would be safe.  the building came down on us but thank god we made it out alive.  When we got home it took me 1hr and a half to climbing over trees to walk the last block to see if there was any thing left.  The house was damaged very bad . it will cost 36,000 to fix it. every thing in it was ruined. but we are alive all of us so there for we are lucky.  we were without electric and water  for 2 months. living on the trampoline for a month and then in a tent that the church gave us.  We received the fema camper dec. 23 2005.  And had the first warm night in months.  and the best hot meal in a long time.  we all have 5 sets of clothes now and i am working on the house , hoping and praying we will be in for christmas.  Have put the roof on.  wall back up. and starting to hang shet rock and insolation as i can buy it with what is left from my social security check. i look at it as every piece bought is one step closr to getting back in our home.

Mother - age 26
1 girl - age 7

Originally from Mobile, AL
Staying in Mobile, AL

Adopted by a family in Jasper, IN
YEAH! - Thank you!

I just want to say thank you so very much

Mother - age 29
Father - age 35
1 girl - age 7
3 boys - age 12, 11 and 9

Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying in Stonemountain, GA

We evacuated to Mississippi with my mother-in-laws,before we left my two younger sons and I cried because I wondered if the rest of my family were ok. we also cried because I was afraid that New Orleans would never be the same. I have not heard from them about two weeks. My sisters and the rest of the family reunited in Atlanta,Georgia.

Female - age 37

Originally from Austell, GA
Staying in New Orleans, LA

Our experience was terrifing because we would have never thought we could see our homes under water, broke down, and nowhere to go. My nephew spends his birthday wondering where his parents ans his family were. we reunited in Atlanta,Georgia safe and sound.

Mother - age 27
Father - age 32
1 girl - age 8
1 boy - age 9

Originally from Natalbany, LA
Staying in Natalbany, LA

We were gonna try and stay at home for the hurricane but had to evacuate in the middle of the hurricane to my mothers due to trees falling all around us and the wind blowing out our living room windows. We could not go back home for three and a half weeks due to no electric and the windows being gonna. A tree also fell on my sons room which caused him to lose most of his stuff. We are thankful to have our family and lives. May God bless each and everyone of you and thank you for everything you have done for us!!

Mother - age 29
Father - age 35
2 girls - age 11 and 11 months
2 boys - age 8 and 5

Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying in Dallas, TX

Well Me and my fiance and the kids left a day earlier because I was 6 Months pregnant at the time, and a high risk pregnacy. My son has astma real bad so we did.nt want to take any chances. My mother did'nt wat to come because she thought that it wasn't really coming. So after it hit mondayand wedidn't see any damanges we were on our way home until the news was talking about the flooding. That's when we paniced, because i knew that my momma was still there and his mother also. wekeptin touch by the phone for that day only and after that the power went out so we did'nt know where any one was and we didn't know where wewas gonna stay or how we was gonna feed the kids. then allof a sudden strangers everywhere were helping us and feeding us. They also helped me locate my mom andhelped me from getting sick, I had cried so much until my blood pressure was so high I had to go to the hospital. the doctors helped me pretty well, I will always be thankful for everyone who helped us in our time of need and despair. I didn't care that we lost everything as long as I had my mom and family with me I knew we was gonna make it. especially my mom because she was one of the ones outside that superdome and she said that it was really bad, because every single day you thought that someone was coming for you and they didn't. She thought that they was gonna die out there. Then fianally after 5 days help came. She said you saw all kinds of things going on. Every now and then she talks about it, but she say that she's trying to get over it and let God deal with them. She say that she is trying to move on, and like us make the best out of a bad situation. We Miss home but after that we are scared to go back because if it happens again next time we might not be so luckly. God has blessed us with more time as an family, and that's what we are doing spending time with our family. 

Mother - age 36
1 boy - age 17
2 girls - age 18 and 14


Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying in Mesquite, TX

It was Sunday Aug 27,2005 10:00a.m.,day before the storm hit.My job would not let us leave until they closed the city of New Orleans, A mandatory evacuation.I drove home from work and got my children and started to leave the city and realized I needed gas.They didn't have gas anywere.So I went to my cousins apartment,He live on the third floor.When we got there we sat and weighted.About 6:00p.m.that evening water started flooding the streets and the storm had not hit yet,the water reached about 3feet deep my car was half way under water.The next morning Aug 28,we were woking up by the storm at 5:45 and it lasted until that afternoon.During the storm you couldn't see anything but splashing water and hearing the wind roar.The water started up the stairs and stopped right before it got to us.We waited there for four days

listening to the coast guard helicoptors pass us by,we had ran out of food an water on day three.Finally someone passed in a boat and bought us to a school near by were we went to the roof and was picked up by the coast guard,maybe they couldn't see us.I was separated from my son,my oldest Daughter and my mother & uncle when we left the roof of the school,It was just me and my youngest  Daughter I was separated from my son and my mother.We were droped of on a run way at some small airport in Louisiana.Then we were picked up by another helicoptor,this time a army plane and we were droped of at another airport where we waited 2 days in the airport with nothing still to eat to catch another plane to Austin TX.When we got to Austin we got a big greeting by the staff,Red Cross and volunteers.They had food for days for us to eat and clothes to ware but I had no appitite because I didn't Know where my family was.After two days there a Red Cross volunteer helped me on the computer to register to find lost family members and I found my mother and my son they was together,I was glad to hear that.Then I tried using my cell phone to see who I can get in touch with,the only person was my landlord.He told me about this motel he was staying in in dallas TX that was letting Katrina victim's stay it was close to where my mother and son was.He offered to come get me so I can be close to them.So I got a room in the hotel and started trying to reach them and I did but I had know way then for them to get to me,They where 3 1/2 hours away so we just keeped intouch with each other.After all that I didn't know I was pregnant until I started cramping real bad and passed a big blood clot,went to the hospital and they confirmed I had a misscarage.I was very upset but I had to go on I needed to find a place to live because time was running out at the motel.So I found a place around some pepole I new from New Orleans,Fema helped me get the apartment.I got intouch with my job and they gave me a pay check every two weeks for 3 months and tha

Now we are together and starting all over and trying to move on and it is hard,I don't know anything about Texas.

My children are in school and I have been looking for work sence the storm and have found nothing yet,but I can tell you this I lost everything I mean everything even my car and a little of my mind.

It's a lot more I can tell you but some things I can't remember are just want to block them out of my mine.

                        Thank you for careing,

                           Ms. Tanya Murthil & Family.

 What ever you can help us with will be greatfully appriciated

Mother - age 42
4 boys - age 11, 5, 4 and 18
2 girls - age 9 and 7


Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying in Dallas, TX

It was horrible, I just had had a minor operation that really enabled me of doing much of anything. It wasn't that I was being an old stubborn woman it was simply because I was in a great amount of pain.Because we've been so blessed to not to have to deal with such a tragedy I really didn't think that evacuating was neccessary. My main concern was getting my grandkids and children out.But just when I thought that all is well that's when every thing hit the fan.Water begin to come in at 9am.I tried my hardest to keep calm, but it was very hard when you didnt know what to expect next.It would be two days before we would receive any kind of help.Me and my only son along with a fiend suffered tremendously because we had no food, no water, no means of contacting family to let them know that we were trapped and we prayed that some one would come and help us real soon before we're nothing more than a memory.But to add insult to injury we were finally rescued but we were not prepared for the danger we were totaly oblivious of.They dumped us in the super dome like we were pieces of trash.The smell was horrible, you heard babies screaming for the need of a loved one's protection.Women begging for help from these heartless cruel men that were looked at like predators.I begun to think Why? Why me God. Although God's will must not ever be question, but what was going on was unprecedented.We endured pain of not knowing what was going on and what would become of us.God finally heard our cry.After spendig three horrible days we were finally off to a long road of recovery.

Mother - age 42
Father - age 45
2 boys - age 16 and 12

Originally from Ocean Springs, MS
Staying in travel trailer in Ocean Springs, MS

WE HAD SOME DAMAGE TO OUR HOME WHICH WE ARE TRYING TO REBUILD BACK BUT TIMES ARE HARD .ESPECIALLY SINCE MY HUSBAND'S JOB WAS DESTROYED. BUT NOW AFTER A YEAR HE IS BACK BUT THE BILLS ARE STILL COMIMG BUT WE MADE THROUGH OK AND WE WILL BE BACK AGAIN. BIGGER AND BETTER BECAUSE WE HAVE EACH OTHER. AND GOOD PEOPLE LIKE YOU AND OHTER CHURCH GROUPS . AND MANY OF FRIENDS.  

Mother - age 37
Father - age 41
2 boys - age 14 and 12
1 girl - age 18

Originally from Pass Christian, MS
Staying in FEMA trailer in Gulfport, MS

Mother - age 55
Father - age 56
1 girl - age 18

Originally from Bay St. Louis, MS
Staying in FEMA trailer in Bay St. Louis, MS

We left the day before Katrina struck and returned the day after. Houses, boats and power lines laid across the road. We had to weave in and out of debree on the roads to get home. It was a shock to see how the force of nature could do so much damage. We lost our pet potbellie pig name Peaches, we brought her inside thinking she would be safe, we lost her, we lost all of our furnitue and all our belongings. We still haven't gotten our houme repaired and are still living in the Fema Trailer.We still haven't any furniture. We had 3 feet of water in our home.We feared for our children who lived on the coast. Phones weren't working, we had no electric for months, no running water and no food. It was so bad I pray we never to have to go through another storm like that ever again.

Mother - age 27
1 boy - age 11
4 girls - age 9, 8, 5 and 3

Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying in Baton Rouge, LA

My experience on the day of Hurricane Katrina is one I will never forget. It is by the grace of God that I am still alive today.  I remember asking my sister, Tyeisha what time it was and she said it was 9:11.  Just then, my friend Chuck started screaming. The pressure from the water outside knocked the door down and water just rushed inside of the house.  We were so scared and but had to escape out of a window, the only one without bars on it.  Once we got out of the window, we jumped onto Chuck's car in the driveway and them climed one by one onto the roof.  Once there, my sister and I cried because of what was going on and because we didn't know if our children were alive. Rain was pouring, winds were strong, and everything flooded.  The three of us decided to try and get to a two-story house that was 8 houses away.  The houses were not close together so we had to wait for things to float by to get from one house to the next. 

By the time we got to the third house, I was in pain, I was still on bedrest from a Total Abdominal Hysterectomy I had weeks before.  I didn't think that I would make it to that house so my sister and I sat down on the rooftop and prayed.  It seems like the more we prayed and waited, the Lord let doors and tires float out wait so that we could cross onto the next roof. It took us three hours to get to the two story house. 

Once there, we thanksed the Lord of course, kicked the door in and asked it anyone was there and when we got no answer, we checked everything.  Downstairs was flooded and there was a little running water so we were able to bathe, put on dry clothes, make signs for help, and wait.

We were rescued the next day by helicoptor but still had no idea if our famiiles and children were still alive.  We ended up in Georgia and was told by another family member that our children were alive.  We were relieved, thankful, and still shocked.  In one of the hurricane relief centers, Tyeisha was approached by a freelance journalist from Seventeen magazine.  Our story and the ordeal we went through was chronicled in Seventenn magazine last December. 

Tragedy struck our family again this year in March.  My sister, Tyeisha was murdered in Houston, Texas. She survived a natural disaster and thought she would drown cause she didn't know how to swim, but her life was taken in an instant by a single gunshot.  Eisha, as we called her was nineteen and her daughter, Daneisha is now 3 yrs old. America's Most Wanted will air a story of Tyeisha's life and murder on their show this month or next month. I miss my sister and i'll never forget her, our times together, or that 29th day of August 2005.

Father - age 47
1 boy - age 16

Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying in Dallas, TX

My family and I experience living at the Superdome.

Mother - age 30
2 boys - age 14 and 5
2 girls - age 9 and 4 months

Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying in Dallas, TX

My kids and I lived in the superdome. From there we stayed on the bridge and then we went to the George O. Brown convention Center.

Mother - age 45
3 boys- age 18 and 15 and 10
2 girls - age 12 and 20

Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying in Dallas, TX

My family and I experience living at the Superdome.

I would very much to receive gifts for my family

Mother - age 46
2 males - age 45 and 43 (brother)
1 boy - age 20

Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying in Dallas, TX

Ileft on Aug 27,2006 Sunday.I had to let my son go with his girlfriend because we didn't have a car at the time and I needed to make sure he was safe first before I could do anything,That was the hardest thing I ever had to do.Then me and my fiance went to my mother-in-laws house to catch a ride with them to leave New Orleans.We where on the road for three days and had to sleep in a rest area.One of the cars we were in broke down so we all had to pile into one car and we had to take turns sleeping in the car when we stopped to rest.We road up and down Lake Charles looking for a hotel with vacant rooms and it took us a week to find one.After all that I cried for a week because I could not find my grandchildren,It took me a month to find them.My brother an sister-in-law came picked me and my fiance up and took us to Austin TX,we were their for two days We found a hotel and we stayed their for two days then we went to Dallas TX and we stayed their for about three months.Once we got there to meet up with some of my family members my son was there waiting for me. I jumped into his arms and cried very hard because I was glad and very happy to see him.When I thought I couldn't get any happyer I got intouch with my grandsons & my two best friends and that just did it for me.Then I felt better and I was able to eat & sleep, things was starting to look up a little bite.Then I got hit with a big one,A detective came to the hotel where we was and told us that my nephew was dead and we could not belive it.Than we saw it on the news and then we knew it was true.My hurt came back all over again.After all of that we found a apartment where we have been living for almost a year now.It took me until just last month to find a job and I'm trying to move on with Gods help,I could not have done it without him.In september I had a new addition to the family my new grandson,Things stated to look up again.

Thank you for your blessing

Ms. Sophie Celestine 

We really need a car are help getting one,and what ever you can help us with.Thank you again.

Mother - age 44
2 girls - age 15 and 25

Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying in Dallas, TX

Although I really was unaware of how detrimental the hurricane was, My job required that all employees report to work immediately to care for the unfortunate elderly people who did not have family to evacuate them.The nursing home in which I was employed at lost all communication after the fourth day.The staff tried there hardest to keep the patients calm and content, but it was tremendously difficult when we ourselves didn't know if we would make it out alive.Contamination set in almost instantly. Were talking about old people who had not eaten and drink in days, they suffered herendously from dehydration and there frail bodies could not take such a devestating encounter in which they suffered.Just when I thought hope was gone that's when the national guards arrived appearing to be angels. It was such an amazing ordeal in which I'll never,ever forget. What haunts me the most is all the dead elderly people who didnt have a chance at getting out. Because of encountering such a great ordeal, it eventually took a toll on my health and caused me to be hospitalized.With God always on my side I knew that he had something wonderful planned for me,It'll remove all the pain and suffering that I had endure and that was seeing my family again. So I tell you if I had it do do all over again,Yes I would.I can't give back the lives that were taking,but I was there and I tried and I think me just being there and put fort the  effort makes it all worth it.

Mother - age 32
Father - age 35
2 boys - age 11 and 7

Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying in New Orleans, LA

we stood behind because we didnt have the money to evacuate.after the storm passed we woke up the next day to find the bathroom window broken and also the living room window.the next day or so the water started to come. we then watched it continue to rise higher and higher.after a couple of days in there we decided we had to leave. we had no lights,food,or water.we put the kids on a matress and i get in a tire because the water was over our heads.we then put my mom in a refrigator to float so she could get out while my fiance control the matress which the kids were floating on.we walked about 6 blocks down to reach the bridge so we could be on higher grounds to get out of the water.we walked up the bridge to get help. we were going to the superdome to wait for some help. walking to the superdome we see bodies on the side of the bridge just floating like nothing. we saw thousands of people on the bridge. a lot of sick people and dead bodies everywhere. we kept walking on to go to the new orleans convention center where they said there would be buses to evacuate us out of here. they never came.we slept in the convention center for 2 and half days without food or anywhere to use the bathrooms. we culdnt use the bathrooms because urine and bow-movement was all over the floor.we also couldnt take a bath. we continue to wait on buses. they never came.we saw them pass but they didnt stop.each night we slept in the convention center we had to grab the kids and run because the were shoting on the outside. people were dieing in there.so we decided to leave because we heard that another storm was approaching.we started walking up the bridge to go to the westbank side for shelter.it had started raining so so  hard.we were turned around by jefferson parish police officers and told we couldnt come on that side. they had they guns drawn and dogs out on leashes.so we turned around and started walking back down the bridge. i then so my neighbor in they car and got in the car with them. i was glad and sad in a sense because i ha

Mother - age 33
5 boys - age 15, 12, 11, 5 and 2

Originally from New Orleans, LA
Staying in Dallas, TX

Because I'm a single mother with five kids, my youngest being only eleven months at the time,I had a very difficult time evacuating my family. The only means of safety and solace I thought for my family and myself would be the superdome,but to my surprise me and my family would soon learn that we would have been better off stranded at home. The wait to enter the superdome was tiredsome. My kids couldn't fathom what was going on. Everything was  scary and freighting, especially for my younger sons. Upon entering the superdome the feel of freight arose upon us. Space was limited, I had to be the sole provider and protector making sure that we all stuck together. I've never seen my kids so afraid before. I thought to my self,"My God what do a mother do in a situation such as this one.God I'm worried that these evil men,predators are preying upon the innocent women and babies.God send your angels down and protect us please."But it seems as though God had a lot on his plate. You could here women screaming get him out of me, babies crying for the protection of a loved one, guards and police officers trying there hardest to protect themselves and the evacuees, but everything seemed totaly impossible.There were elderly people dieing from dehydration,babies from starvation it seemed that the turmoil would never subsided. I don't think that the superdome was ever fully under control simply because eveyone could not reach loved ones, they saw family die right before there eyes and it was just too much to bear. After being in that "Hell" Hole I was so happy that God had finally sent his angels and took his children to safety, after all God may not be there when you need him but he'll be there right on time, because after all he's an on time God!

3 females - age 30, 30 and 15
3 males - age 11, 6 and 5

Originally from Chalmette, LA
Staying in Dallas, TX

well, we evacuated the sunday before it happened. everywhere we stopped at, katrina hit. we wound up in this city called nacogdoches, tx. and we stayed at a hotel named best value, and the people there was so nasty and heartless towards us that we had to look somewhere else because they were going through our stuff. the man thought that we had weapons. when we finally settled down in a hotel that treated us kindly, we tried to relax. when we saw what katrina did to our hometown, i broke down. my sons wouldn't take baths cause they thought that the water would drown them. they're still afraid of water and the dark. let's put it like this, i still sleep with the lights on and i don't swim anymore. i pray that a family adopts us because we need all the help that we can get. god bless you.