News from Katrina

News from Hurricane Katrina

February 2006
2/4/06
Mager Varnado
My law office in the Whitney Bank in downtown Gulfport was destroyed with almost six feet of water in it. Who would have thought that could have happened in downtown Gulfport?

The contents insurance coverage naturally didn't cover that flood damage but I managed to relocate and reopen after a few months about a mile north on the Pass Road.

I also lost a business on the Wolf River. However, my home in the College Park area north of the military retirement home was spared bad damage so I am glad that the one of out of the three was the residence.

I was at USM when hurricane Camille hit us and I never thought I would live to see another storm as bad as that one. I did.

October 2005
10/31/05
Phil Carriere
Doing well after the "big blow". We were in the process of a move having bought a new home on 8/22 and 8/29 being the day the movers were to come. Finally got in new house and have the usual roof damage along with soffit and facia but we got a house. All 4 kids and 6 grandkids doing well. We stayed on the coast for the storm. How stupid was that? Hope to see you all soon and God Bless.

10/5/05
From - JoAnn Munghia
Just to let you know Ralph Munghia and family are OK. Some damage, lots of trees down and enough cleanup to last a few years, but OK.

September 2005

9/12/05
From - Carolyn Peterman
Just wanted to let all of you know that I lost my home to Katrina and am presently staying with my mother until I can decide what I am going to do. Once I get a new email address, I will let all of you know.
Even though I lost my home, all of my family is safe and that is what is important.
Love to all.
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9/14/05
From - Jaynee Reeves Hamilton
Just wanted to let you know that our dear friend, Babs Ballard, died in Hurricane Katrina. I don't have any details other then she left her house to stay with some friends on Back Bay (I believe that is correct).

I heard this from Linda Goesling Russell, who is safe and sound in Houston, TX with her daughter. Linda will be back in Gulfport tomorrow (Thursday - 9/15/05). Her house had some damage but is still standing. I will let you know of additional information when I get it.
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From - Beth Sylvester
Thank you for the news. I have been praying for everyone there, and hoping for some news. How tragic to hear the news about Babs. Hopefully everyone else is all right. I pray for God's strength and blessing for all of you as you struggle to recover.
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From - Lee Webb
I heard from Skip McDaniel, said he's ok but lost several houses and vehicles and is staying with friends.
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From - Linda (Blackwell) Jermyn
In general, Katrina's storm surge (I think they are saying 28 feet), inundated the area south of the railroad tracks, and in some cases it went over the tracks. So, everything south of the tracks, especially in Gulfport, either had water in it, was gutted, or was flattened by the surge.

More surprising, any body of water that was connected to the Gulf: rivers, bayous, even little creeks, rose to unprecedented levels, and people who never thought of themselves as being "on the water" were flooded.
Tom and I are fine. The College Park area, north of the Armed Forces Home (the old GCMA) is apparently high in elevation.

We, and most of our neighbors, had trees on the houses, and rain came through the holes. Most people lost lots of shingles, and if it ever rains again (blessedly, it has not rained since Katrina), there may be more water damage. (We have our whole roof covered with heavy blue tarp, put on by contractors for the Army Corps of Engineers.) I think that is typical damage for those not near a body of water. Almost 1/2 of my friends had some amount of flooding. It is overwheming to think of the extent and breadth of destruction wrought by this enormous storm. As many of you may have heard, Camille pales in comparison!
We are receiving lots of help; the miliary presence is astounding; churches and civic groups are pouring in from everywhere, providing everything, and of course entreprenuers are arriving to cut trees, clean debris; and for the most part, prices seem reasonable for these services. The utility companies have done a remarkable job. Everyone in Harrison County who could receive power had it by last Saturday, less than 2 weeks A.K. Most home phone service is back. Cell phones were all we had for awhile, and between busy circuits, and downed towers, communication was almost impossible.

So, those still alive are counting their blessings, even though they may have lost everything material they owned. Something like this really brings you back to basics--God, family, shelter, health, then water, nourishment, and electricity! Thanks for your prayers, keep praying for our recovery, and do anything you can to help.
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9/15/05
From - Randy Fagan
Katrina got us too...we evacuated to Panama City Beach.....got over 18' of water over our property in Ocean Springs...lost all of our furniture, clothes...most of our photos etc....temporarily based at The Watercrest in Panama City Beach for at least six months...where we will be till we can renovate our home on the bayou...visiting our eldest son Randy Jr, with the state department, in Munich on 9/22...then back to Mississippi to try to take care of the house. We still divide our time between our house www.casajomama.com in St. Thomas USVI and our boat JoMama in Puerta La Cruz Venezuela. We are so fortunate that all of our family is safe and sound.