Part 1
During my first visit since Katrina I decided to travel from Biloxi down Hwy 90 so that I could see for myself the destruction and the rebuilding along the coast.
Highway 90 bridge connecting Bay St. Louis with Pass Christian. One year after Katrina the projected completion date is November 2007. The bridge was completely destroyed and a newer, higher bridge is being built.
I spent some time in a few of the newly refurbished casinos, gambling and talking with blackjack dealers about the situation. Most said that wages were much better post storm, but housing/rent prices had doubled and tripled. Many casinos and other businesses were having a hard time finding minimum wage workers. Even fast food places like Burger King were advertising signing bonuses and additional bonuses for remaining on the job for 6 months. In spite of everything, all the people I spoke with were optimistic about their cities coming back and scathing in their dislike for FEMA and the federal government. Not that local government didn't receive it's fair share of criticism, but as one Bay St. Louis resident, and local shop owner, told me - it's every man for himself, you can't count on the government for anything. Most startling was a fact he relayed regarding fears of having to evacuate this hurricane season. While the residents are returning to BSL and the population moves closer to pre Katrina, many of the damaged gas stations have not reopened. If people were to have to evacuate this year, gas shortages could become a serious issue.
In the casinos, restaurants and shops many people had Katrina stories. I remember one very vividly. The man evacuated but his friends did not and they told him of clinging to the great big oak trees populating BSL with someone on top warning those below when to hold their breath as waves crashed over them. Everyone believed they would not survive, but miraculously all in that small group did. He spoke of others who had climbed on to their roofs only to have the roof ripped from the house, crashing into other roofs as the storm surge came inland. Then, seeing the water rush back towards the ocean creating a rapids effect as the water encountered displaced buildings and trees. These are stories you almost don't want to hear because in the end not everyone can survive such destruction. While many people I know lost their homes and their livelihoods, I am truly grateful that no one lost their lives unlike many in these small towns along the coast.
The Gulfport VA. As you can see from the above pictures little to no rebuilding has been accomplished. Our federal government at work supporting our military. In the top picture you can see a tattered American flag still clinging to it's post.
Chapel at the University of Southern Mississippi in Gulfport.
The casinos are reopening, but a lot of work in the community remains to be done. Like the local business not too far from the sign.
The Ohr-O'keefe Museum in Biloxi. I kind of thought the building as it is could almost be a modern work of art.
Homes and businesses in Biloxi/Gulfport/Pass Christian all look the same and yet all are unique in the damage done by the storm. Many businesses are rebuilding and a number of restaurants have reopened in the area.
Hurricane Camille memorial. It weathered Katrina quite well.