Katrina memories return with Hurricane Gustav
Alyssa Mercadante
Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: National
Evacuees are still not able to return to their homes in New Orleans, La. after Hurricane Gustav surged through on Monday, Sept. 1, 2008.
With memories of Hurricane Katrina still fresh in their minds, millions of people fled under mandatory evacuation orders before Gustav hit.
According to CNN, there was much concern that the levees built after Hurricane Katrina were in danger of failing, but it appears that southern Louisiana's improved levees have passed their first test. New Orleans Mayor, Ray Nagin, told evacuees on Tuesday morning to "hold tight for today."
Meghan Kirtland, who graduated from LC in May 2008, talked about her personal experience with Hurricane Gustav.
"I just left New Orleans eight days ago to move to Boston, but my parents had to evacuate for Gustav," Kirtland said. "I called them Friday afternoon and they asked me what was in the house that I needed to be sent up to Boston because they were leaving Saturday morning to evacuate. It took them nine hours to make a two hour trip to Columbia, Miss. where my brother goes to school. They are still there and have no cell phone service because it is a small town."
This brought back memories of Katrina for Kirtland because it was so difficult for people to get a hold of one another during the crisis.
"Our family, who live in New Jersey, are constantly calling me because my cell phone is the only one that works," Kirtland added. "However, I have not actually talked to my parents since Friday. I got an e-mail on Sunday telling me they were fine in Mississippi, but communication between family and friends is a big issue during evacuations. One has to get really creative. I just thank God that everyone got out earlier this time around. I was worried as to whether or not the new and improved evacuation plans were going to work, but it turns out they did so I am very glad."
This Category 2 hurricane made landfall on the northern Gulf Coast with the center of the cone passing through Louisiana. Several different news stations such as FOX News Channel and MSNBC reported that there have been eight deaths in the U.S. linked to Gustav. Gustav knocked over trees and power lines across the region and shut down power to thousands of customers in Louisiana and Mississippi.
According to CNN, President Bush, already in Louisiana on Wednesday, surveyed areas damaged by Hurricane Gustav and spoke withlocal leaders about recovery operations.
Mayor Nagin told CNN's American Morning, "Businesses will be allowed to return to the area Wednesday and then the latest, Thursday, we'll start our citizens to arrive."
With memories of Hurricane Katrina still fresh in their minds, millions of people fled under mandatory evacuation orders before Gustav hit.
According to CNN, there was much concern that the levees built after Hurricane Katrina were in danger of failing, but it appears that southern Louisiana's improved levees have passed their first test. New Orleans Mayor, Ray Nagin, told evacuees on Tuesday morning to "hold tight for today."
Meghan Kirtland, who graduated from LC in May 2008, talked about her personal experience with Hurricane Gustav.
"I just left New Orleans eight days ago to move to Boston, but my parents had to evacuate for Gustav," Kirtland said. "I called them Friday afternoon and they asked me what was in the house that I needed to be sent up to Boston because they were leaving Saturday morning to evacuate. It took them nine hours to make a two hour trip to Columbia, Miss. where my brother goes to school. They are still there and have no cell phone service because it is a small town."
This brought back memories of Katrina for Kirtland because it was so difficult for people to get a hold of one another during the crisis.
"Our family, who live in New Jersey, are constantly calling me because my cell phone is the only one that works," Kirtland added. "However, I have not actually talked to my parents since Friday. I got an e-mail on Sunday telling me they were fine in Mississippi, but communication between family and friends is a big issue during evacuations. One has to get really creative. I just thank God that everyone got out earlier this time around. I was worried as to whether or not the new and improved evacuation plans were going to work, but it turns out they did so I am very glad."
This Category 2 hurricane made landfall on the northern Gulf Coast with the center of the cone passing through Louisiana. Several different news stations such as FOX News Channel and MSNBC reported that there have been eight deaths in the U.S. linked to Gustav. Gustav knocked over trees and power lines across the region and shut down power to thousands of customers in Louisiana and Mississippi.
According to CNN, President Bush, already in Louisiana on Wednesday, surveyed areas damaged by Hurricane Gustav and spoke withlocal leaders about recovery operations.
Mayor Nagin told CNN's American Morning, "Businesses will be allowed to return to the area Wednesday and then the latest, Thursday, we'll start our citizens to arrive."
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