My Katrina: Four Years

Looking at all the rebuilding and reconstruction that has happened since Katrina struck the Mississippi Gulf Coast four years, I can still recall the feeling of despondency at all the destruction Katrina caused. One of the hardest places to visit was the beach at Gulfport. This is where I spent a lot of my childhood and where I took my son when he was younger. These pictures are also from my brother's neighborhood.





Biloxi's beach was annihilated by Hurricane Katrina. Buildings over 150 years old were just gone. Below is the harbor master's building.

This a view from Water street in Biloxi looking toward some condominiums that have since been torn down.

Hurricane Katrina destroyed the place I work. We've since rebuilt but this is what it looked like.






The FEMA trailers helped give shelter to those who lost their homes. 65,000 homes were destroyed in Mississippi by Hurricane Katrina.

This is a photo of Bay St Louis. In front the house used to be a road. It was completely washed out by Hurricane Katrina. Bay St Louis was inundated by an estimated 24 foot storm surge. It is an estimate because many of the instruments used to determine storm surge were washed out to sea. Many feel that Katrina's storm surge was much higher.


Below are some posts I did 4 years ago:

This one was done while waiting for Katrina. It was 9 days before I could post again.

This was my first post after electricity had been restored.

This was my first trip to Biloxi after Katrina.

My first glance of where I work.

Thankful for all those who came and helped us

Sobering stats

My New World

We are still rebuilding. I made the following video last year. I hope we and those in New Orleans continue to dance and to rebuild stronger, together.



I feel so thankful. Even though it's been hard these past four years, I thank HaShem that no one in my family lost their homes, that no one I knew lost their lives, and that things have improved tremendously. I cannot describe the joy my congregation felt as we dedicated our new synagogue in May of this year and that we will be able to have our High Holy Day services in our synagogue and not at the Keesler Air Force Base chapel.

Being Prepared

Today is the start of hurricane season. It will end in November. Mississippi Emergency Management has numerous lists on preparing your home in the event of a hurricane, what to do if you are ordered to evacuate, etc, etc. The CTA will provide transportation for those who need it.

There are so many things that need to be done well before a hurricane or tropical storm threatens. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best is all anyone can do when a hurricane threatens your home.

I've been through Frederick, Elena, and others. Nothing prepared me for the devastation Hurricane Katrina caused. It wiped out sights I've seen most of my life. Being prepared for the nine days without electricity, the month of boiling water, and the problems with phone lines was the easy part.

I and so many others along the Mississippi Gulf Coast were not prepared for the emotional devastation. Even through our tears, we vowed to rebuild better and stronger. In many ways our community is so much stronger. Our communities are adopting SmartCodes so that homes can withstand hurricane force winds. Many are having to elevate their homes 20 feet above ground to meet the new flood elevation requirements.

I made the following video almost a year after Hurricane Katrina hit:



The port containers are long gone from my brother's neighborhood. The place I work has rebuilt with the exception of new offices(I'm sorta of tired of these trailers we've been renting!). The miles upon miles of debris are long gone. There are still many empty spaces. It's take awhile to rebuild 65,000 homes but we're getting the job done.

Thursday, Congregation Beth Israel moved into our new home in Gulfport. For 3 1/2 years, we've been using the meeting hall at Beauvior Methodist Church for our services. Hurricane Katrina heavily damaged our shul in Biloxi.

We danced our Torahs in on Thursday. All of us, were home at last!


Our new shul is capable of withstanding 155 mph winds. It is 12 miles inland. Our plans called for being prepared for the worst. Our hope is for the best.

We'll Be Dancing!

Tonight Congregation Beth Israel will be in our new synagogue! We will dance our Torahs in and our first services will be for Shavout. Shavuot is one of my favorite festivals because it has such special meaning for me. I've chronicled my journey into rejoining my tribe.

The Megillah of Ruth will be read. Like her, I and thousands of others have said, "Your people will be my people, and your G-d my G-d". She, I, and thousands of others have stood at Sinai and said "We will do and we will obey".

It has been at times, a struggle for our congregation. Since Hurricane Katrina, some of families have had to move away because they lost jobs, homes, or both. Through it all, we have remained a strong community committed to supporting one another and celebrating bar mitzvahs, bat mitzvahs, and the festivals together . We have persevered. We now will celebrate as a community the completion of our new home.

Chazak, Chazak, V'nitchazeik !!!

I know these are the words said at the completion of reading each of the Torah. It seems appropriate to say them today.

Shabbat Shalom!

This week's Torah portion is B'midbar. B'midbar is the wilderness. Since Hurricane Katrina, Congregation Beth Israel has been in the wilderness. We've been wandering for only close to 4 years but we are so close to being home. Tonight is the last night we'll have Kabbalat Shabbat services in the hall at Beauvior Methodist Church.

Next Thursday, we dance our Torahs into our new home. Friday, especially appropriate since it is Shavuout, we will hold our first Kabbalat Shabbat services in our new synagogue. We will no longer be in the wilderness.

Lazman Hazeh!

Sunday, we put mezzuzas on the doors in our new shul in Gulfport Mississippi. Our shul was in Biloxi but Hurricane Katrina damaged it heavily and we made the decision to rebuild further inland. May 28-31 is when we will be dedicated our new shul. Below are some pictures I took Sunday:

Rabbi Ira and Brad, Congregation Beth Israel's president, place one mezzuza on the door leading into the social hall:


Cicely, who had her bat mitzvah two weeks ago along with Rabbi Ira places one mezzuza on the rabbi's office:


Our new home from the front!


Lazman hazeh!

House Update

When my brother started working on my house, I was very worried that there would be a lot of other damage. The front part of the house, which lost no soffit and fascia, ended up being the side that had a lot of wood that needed to be replaced. It was like that before I bought the house. Everything looks great.

I also bought new storm doors. The storm door on the side had been damaged by Hurricane Georges in 1997. My brother and son did a great job!

Side door. I planted one little bitty rosemary plant about 9 years ago. It has grown to over 5 feet wide and is about 3 feet tall.


Front door. The rose bush I planted has been suffering from the drought Mississippi has been going through. The rain this year has helped.


Soffit and fascia look great! It makes the house look bigger!

Over Three Years in the Making

I've never posted pictures of the damage Hurricane Katrina caused to my home. Mostly because of embarrassment. Too many others lost everything. I was one of the lucky 3,000 homeowners on the Mississippi Gulf Coast who didn't file an insurance claim. The damages to the soffit and fascia would not have met the 3% deductible for hurricane claims. This week will be the last time my home looks like this. Lowe's delivered the supplies that I was able to finally budget for and my brothers will work this weekend to repair the damage.







I'm so excited!!

Gulfport Library

Since Hurricane Katrina, Gulfport Mississippi has been without it's main library. Plans are to build it further inland but a group calling itself 'We the People' wants the library to remain at its current location and the beautiful historic building to be repaired.

I ask you:

Made in Mississippi

Though it seems to recede further and further from people's minds, the Mississippi Gulf Coast was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Biloxi's Historic district took a big hit. The historic Magnolia Motel/Mardi Gras Museum still has to be repaired. Mary Mahoney's Restuarant opened within weeks. The Train and Toy Emporium re-opened soon after Katrina hit. But the little shops filled with the works of artisans and artists from Mississippi has been slow to rebuild. With one exception: the art studio of Bill Johnson. Mr. Bill has been at Croesus street for over 25 years. He is 88 years old and has been repairing his studio. He does a little painting and uses off-beat materials. He is using Styrofoam to carve coastal themes and it looks very interesting. He is also etching terra cotta tiles. His phone number is 228-435-9134.

Here he is in front of his studio working on some of the etchings:.


Some of the work he did while I talked to him:


The only proclamation on his studio:



Another interesting shop I visited was Rue Magnolia Pottery. Two sisters and a friend opened their shop in October of 2008. It is filled with fun items like belly-button mugs that have a piercing. One of the sisters creates unique ceramic jewelry while the other creates fun and colorful art pottery. Their phone number is 228-435-2828.

The sign in front of their store:


One of the pieces titled Fin-Fin. It is named after the notorious diet drug:


A lot of the pieces have vivid colors such as this star fish with a background of blue:


I liked this ceramic doll of a mother holding a child:


There are some unique creations in the pottery shop.

I was very excited about the new art co-op that opened at 626 Water Street. It hasn't been open very long. The co-op consists of photographs and artists from the Mississippi Gulf Coast and Hattiesburg. I asked permission to take photos so I'm unable to show-off some of the amazing talent in the co-op. There is everything from abstract art to Impressionistic style with everything in between.

I hope you will visit each of these places as well as some of the other businesses that have opened up shop. It is good to see this historic area coming back to life. Some of the buildings in this section were built in the 1790's and there is a lot of unique architecture.

Gollott's Seafood Market is Open!

It's been 3 1/2 years since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Another sign of recovery and rebuilding has emerged!

For the first time since Hurricane Katrina destroyed Gollott's seafood plant and retail market, Gollott has opened it's seafood market.

There are only 7 shrimp sizes available for retail sell and a building for the market has not yet been been built. People have been coming in a steady stream and all are looking for the Gulf shrimp Gollott's Seafood is famous for.

Gollott customers are just as excited as the owners and employees.

Goodbye, Old Friend

The Biloxi Library on Lameuse Street was unique. It's architecture was fitting for it also housed a small museum for the pottery of George Ohr. A new museum is being built and will house the unique works of the Mad Potter of Biloxi. I used to visit the library every two weeks and check out 4-5 books. Also, I would go and look at some of the exhibits of local artists and photographers. I love books and the Mississippi Gulf Coast lost two treasures because of Hurricane Katrina. The Gulfport Library on Highway also had unique architicture and when my son was small, he loved to go there and watch the koi in the water feature in front of the library. Both places were ones I visited often. Gulfport has decided it must be torn down. A groups is fighting that decision. The demolition has already started on the Biloxi Library. The picture below is from the Harrison County Library system web-site.



Monday evening I wanted to take pictures of the area around the Vieux Marche. The picture below is of the back of the library. The space for the Ohr pottery and other exhibits were held upstairs.



As I walked up Lameuse Street and stood in front of City Hall, I felt sadness. Even after more than years, sometimes the things we lost still hit hard. The library was a refuge for me and many others. The demolition is just more reminder of how things will never be the same.



A new library will be going up in Biloxi. It will be further from any potential storm surge. The Gulfport library will be demolished as well and moved further inland. Both are a passing of a way of life that was enjoyed by many. I can only hope that the architicture of both will be unique. For now, I'll just say goodbye to my old friend.

Thanksgiving Edition

Yesterday, I held a great big pity party of one. It's been a rough couple of weeks. I had to get two new tires for my car. The last of the doctor bills have come in for my son. Because of this, I wasn't able to make the trip to New Orleans to buy a kosher turkey. Instead, our feast will consist of the traditional Thanksgiving lox. I was a pitiful sight yesterday. Today, I woke happy.

I realized overnight that it isn't the turkey that makes it Thanksgiving. It is family and friends. I realized how much I have to be thankful for. The bills will eventually get paid. I have food on the table. I have a home. I have family that love me in spite of my contentious nature. I have friends that send me emails and notifications at Facebook just when I seem to be the most down. How do they know? They're friends, they just know.

Today, this is what I'm most thankful for. I'm thankful to live in a country that offers the freedom of religion to all. I'm thankful that I live in a country that has looked past the color of a person's skin and has judged on character and elected Obama. I'm thankful that even in these difficult financial times, the United States still has a wealth that towers over all.

I'm thankful that I live in a country where some see opportunities to start new businesses. I'm thankful to live a country that is so generous. Even as people have to tighten their belts, there are news reports that food banks for the poor are seeing an increase in donations of food. I'm glad that I live in a country where people are not only being angels to children during this time but to the elderly as well. Walgreens in Biloxi has an angel tree for the elderly. I'm thankful that I live in a country where people are willing to give up their time to help their neighbors in need. I've stated many times before, after Hurricane Katrina, the Mississippi Gulf coast saw another surge. This surge was more massive and potent than Katrina's record breaking 28 feet guestimated by NOAA(it is closer to 40 feet). This surge consists of those who opened their wallets and donated record-breaking amounts. This surge consists of those who volunteered and cooked and drove the Salvation Army and Red Cross food vans. This surge consists of those who came to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and worked shoulder to shoulder with us clearing out mold infested sheet rock. It consists of those who came here and worked shoulder to shoulder with us clearing our streets one block at a time. It consists of those who came down here and are still coming over 3 years later, who are working shoulder to shoulder with us in raising up new homes. They swing their hammers with us.

This the real America. It consists of Christians, Jews, Muslims, other religions, and atheists working side-by-side to help one another. This real America also consists of the vast numbers of college-aged and high school kids who have come down and are still coming to help us rebuild.

Thank you G-d. Thank you to my family and friends. Thank you America.

A Nice Break

I've been suffering from a cold/flu since last Friday. Sneezing and coughing is no way to go through life. At least this weekend I've managed to do more than just sleep all day. Last night, I even had a nice break. I was able to go see the Robin Helzner Trio. This sample doesn't really capture the vibrancy of the trio. It was a fun show with a lot of joking. During the show, we clapped along, hummed the nigguns, and sang the choruses. We sang in English, Hebrew, Yiddish, Ladino, and even Ugandan. At the end, there was dancing in the aisles. If they come to your area, go see them.

The concert was a celebration of the recovery from Hurricane Katrina on going along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and in Louisiana. It was sponsored by the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute for Southern Jewish Living and the Covenant Foundation. Thank you!!

Y'all need to go see them if you get a chance.

B'reishit

This past week has been one of celebration. Our congregation danced with our Torahs on Simchat Torah. We couldn't help but feel the specialness of this weeks parsha, b'reishit. It is fitting that the groundbreaking for our new shul should have been today. B'reishit tells of HaShem's Creation. We are moving forward from the devastation wrecked on our old shul by Hurricane Katrina. The forms and retaining wall have been created and the expected completion date is May 2009. We are facing a new beginning and it is one that is filled with hope.

It will be good when we can hold services in our new home.




Past Congregation President Steve Richer signs the retaining wall while being photographed by a photographer from the SunHerald. Rabbi Myrna Matsa is signing on the left.


The building committee worked long and hard. Because of their dedication, we will not have to worry about a mortgage. The new shul will be 5,100 sq ft, with plenty of room for expansion.

Hurricane Katrina: Mississippi 3 Years Later

Much has changed since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Mississippi Gulf Coast. I've become resigned to the fact that when Hurricane Katrina is mentioned, it will be as New Orleans and the "Gulf Coast" and Mississippi will not be mentioned. It still bugs me because we have been through so much.

Rebuilding is progressing at an amazing pace. There are still areas many which look as nothing has been done. There are some who when visiting for the first time have the impression that not much has been done. They see it without the knowledge what it looked like after the massive storm surge and winds of Katrina receded, They did not see the utter destruction nor the massive clean-up.

I see streets being rebuilt one house at a time.

Hancock County took the full-force of Katrina and is the slowest in rebuilding. Jackson County had the least damage and is almost fully recovered.

I live in Gulfport located in Harrison County. The further west you go, the slower the recovery. Towns such as Pass Christian and Long Beach are rebuilding but there still much to be done. Biloxi's Point Cadet, on the eastern tip, hasn't seen much rebuilding.

Map from Wikipedia

We've done a lot to recover and rebuild after Hurricane Katrina. Thousands upon thousands of volunteers have helped and stood shoulder to shoulder with us as we pulled down mold infested sheet rock. As a community that stretches 66 miles from Lakeshore Mississippi in Hancock County to Moss Point in Jackson County, we stood together and vowed we would rebuild, better and stronger: together. And we are keeping that vow..

Hurricane Camille: 39 Years Ago

Today is the 39th anniversary of Hurricane Camille. Three years ago, I this post about Camille. It's hard to believe that when I wrote it, Hurricane Katrina was just a blob of thunderstorms in the Atlantic and 12 days later would destroy much of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

We rebuilt after Hurricane Camille. It took almost 20 years. We are rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina. The pace seems maddening at times. It isn't going to take 20 years this time. Most of the rebuilding should be completed within the next 5 - 7 years.

Just Some Pine Trees

Around a year ago, I posted about a developer about to build some some duplexes and quadplexes. I know the need for new homes to be built in areas that aren't prone to flooding. And this is a good area. Nothing much had been done since then. Yesterday, the backhoes were lined up and the pine trees were still standing. Pine trees can be a nuisance and I didn't think I would miss them. It was a shock when I drove up the road and saw nothingness. The pine trees were gone. The developer kept his promise and didn't cut down the oaks and other trees. It still looks barren.

In a few years, it will look even more different and there will be many more people. Another developer has started building some apartments at the south end of my road.

I'm not sure how I'll feel with having over 200 new neighbors. I've grown accustom to this quiet neighborhood. And the pine trees.

At least many smart people are moving away from rivers and the coast. These areas saw massive flooding from Hurricane Katrina and insurance costs are making many flee to areas north of I-10. I just have to keep telling myself, it's just some pine trees.

Beginnings

The surveyors were out at the property where our new shul Gulfport is going to be built. The flags are in place and soon, the building will begin. I will post some pictures later this evening.

Congregation Beth Israel in Biloxi has been through some rough times. The shul suffered much wind damage from Hurricane Katrina. Thanks to Beauvior Methodist Church, we've been holding services in their meeting hall. Their help is much appreciated and we cannot thank them enough for their hospitality and help.

That being said, there is a certain weariness that we are not in our home. It has been almost three years since Hurricane Katrina and we need to be in our own place. The days of our b'midbar should be over in ten months. It is possible the construction can be over in time for Pesach next year. Keep us in your prayers that this may be possible.

Since the building plans were approved a few weeks ago, there is many smiling faces and a great deal of excitement. At times, it seemed like we would never get to this beginning.

The new shul will be within walking distance from where I live and I'm going to take weekly pictures of the construction.

Why the Ark Couldn't Be Built Today

And why people in Mississippi are still in FEMA trailers almost three years after Hurricane Katrina:

In the year 2008 the Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in the United States, and said: "Once again, the earth has become wicked and overpopulated, and I see the end of all flesh before me.

"Build another ark and save two of every living thing, along with a few good humans." He gave Noah blue- prints for the ark, saying, "You have six months before I will start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights."

Six months later the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping but no sign of an ark. "Noah," he roared, "I am about to start the rain. Where's the ark?"

"Forgive me, Lord," Noah said, "but things have changed.

"I needed a building permit and I've been arguing with the inspector about the need for a sprinkler system. And my neighbors claim that I have violated the neighborhood zoning code by building the ark in my yard and exceeding the height limitations. We had to go before the Development Appeal Board for a decision. This took four weeks.

"Then the Department of Transportation demanded a bond be posted for future costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions to clear a path for the ark's move to the sea. I told them the sea was coming to us, but they just laughed.

"Getting good wood was another problem. There's a ban on cutting local trees to save the spotted owl. I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the spotted owls, but they would not hear of it.

"When I started gathering the animals, an animal-rights group sued me. They claimed I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued that it was cruel to put so many animals in a confined space.

"Then the EPA ruled that I could not build the ark until they conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed flood.

"I am still trying to resolve a complaint with the EEOC on how many minorities I'm required to hire for my building crew.

"The Department of Immigration and Naturalization is checking the green-card status on the people who want to work on the ark. The trade unions say I can't use my sons to work on the ark and insist that I hire only union workers with ark-building experience.

"To make matters worse, the IRS seized all of my assets, claiming that I am trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species. So, Lord, it would take me 10 years to build the ark."

Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow stretched across the sky.

Noah looked up in wonder. "You mean you're not going to destroy the world?"

"No," the Lord replied, "the government beat me to it."

WALLACE DABBS
Gautier

Going Forward

I discussed some of the problems I was having with Rabbi Myrna Matza. It did a world of good. It has led to me being asked by our congregations ritual committee to the contact for the National Jewish Outreach Program. I'm excited for numerous reasons. The first thing we're going to do is Shabbat Across America which will be on March 20, 2009. I've shared a few ideas on leading up to it but some will have to wait until our new shul is built.

And that brings me to some very good news. After the first plans were drawn up and bids came in more than double than what was expected, the building committee came up with different plans. We have new plans. We have a contractor. And it will have almost as much room as the first plans. And it is will within our budget!

Construction is expected to start in September of this year, one month after the 3 year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. The contractor estimates it will take anywhere from 6 to 9 months to build, so it is possible that we can be in our new shul in time for Passover next year.

Since I live about a five minute walk from the new shul, I'll post pictures of the construction. For now, this one will have to do: