Brian Mollere describes the eerie scene in Waveland immediately after the hurricane, when he was apparently the only person alive in the vast pile of rubble.
WAVELAND, Miss. -- Brian Mollere is tired of being a hurricane celebrity, so much so that he’s considering what would have been unthinkable just a few weeks ago: Getting out of town and away from the vast debris field that surrounds him in what was downtown Waveland.
The 50-year-old Mollere owes his fame to national media reports on his harrowing survival when he was caught up in the 30-plus-foot storm surge that smashed his town into kindling. In addition to saving his own life with a desperate swim to safety, he managed to keep his mother’s Chihuahua, Rocky, tucked in the crook of his arm the whole time.
"I was picked up by a 40-foot wave and pushed 800, 900 feet," he recalled, gently rocking on an old wooden chair salvaged from the towering debris piles nearby. "It just wasn’t my time to go. It was a ride I’ll never forget though. It’s like some of these surfers look for the perfect wave, well I had one, in a sense. But it wasn’t the type I was looking for." (Click here to hear Mollere describe his ordeal.)
Mollere, who before the storm worked in real estate and marine construction, recounts his brush with death with the dazed delivery of a shell-shocked combat veteran, and his tone doesn’t change when he describes the death of his 80-year-old mother, Jane.
He recalls sending her to stay with family members in a Bay St. Louis house that was five feet higher than her home in Waveland and presumably safer.
"I put her in the car, and I said ‘Mom, I’ll probably never see you again,’ because I used to joke around with her all the time," he said.
After his narrow escape, Mollere hiked three miles to Bay St. Louis only to learn that his mother had drowned when she was unable to escape as the house was demolished by the same wave that nearly took his life.
He then hiked back to the site where her home had stood, atop the family-run hardware store across from the flattened Waveland City Hall, gathered a few items from the wreckage and set up his camp. For the first three days, he saw no one.
"I would wake up and look around and it was like your whole world was gone," he recalled. "It was like being on a bombed-out planet or something. There was no noise – you could hear no bugs, no birds – it was just an eerie silence for three days."
In the weeks since the storm, Mollere’s camp, which he shares with life-long friend "Wild Bill" Laprime, has evolved into a one-stop aid station and information clearinghouse.
"Eventually people started to come over the rubble and bring help, bring food, ask questions if Ive seen loved ones or anything," he said. "So I started gathering up more tables and just got more stuff to make the place more comfortable, livable. And I started taking in information … and we were like a little way station here for people, because we were the only ones on this side of the railroad tracks."
But the constant stream of visitors from morning to night has begun to wear on Mollere. He said he’d like to take a vacation once he is able to bury his mother, whose body was found in the debris five days after Katrina only to be whisked to a temporary morgue set up by the county, where the family has been unable to reclaim it.
"We still haven’t buried my mother," he said. "I’m trying to get this done at this point. I’m hoping to get all my affairs straightened out so I can get away from here for a little while. Because I’m getting to that state of mind where I’m really depressed. And some psychiatrist told me about three weeks ago that it would hit me and it’s beginning to right now. … It’s just depressing, too overwhelming at this point."
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Dear Brian, just listened to your heart-wrenching story. I am so sorry for the loss of your mother...bless her soul and bless you for making it through with your little doggie. Yours is a story I will not soon forget. Please take care of yourself and your dog and I hope help comes for you soon. You are a very special person. Thanks for sharing your ordeal, it was truly amazing.
Lisa L Emert, Peoria IL (Sent Oct 19, 2005 5:29:31 PM)
I am so sorry for your loss, but I am happy that yopu were saved and the doggie too! You were saved by God's grace, and you were able to help others in your hardship...I admire that. Even though your mother has not been burried, she is at rest and at peace now. And I am sure she is looking down on you and seeing what a wonderful man you are. So you take care of yourself ,and that dog! Keep your spirits up! I wish you all the best!
Rae (Sent Oct 19, 2005 5:32:42 PM)
Dear Brian, I have read all the posts to your story. It may be small consolation to you right now, but your reaction to this tragedy in your life has touched many, many people. Giving out of loss of any kind is a special gift. God smiles on such sacrifice. Bless you in all that you do.
Rhonda, Nicholson, PA (Sent Oct 19, 2005 7:06:42 PM)
Your story touched me. You will be blessed I am sure.
Please take care of yourself, God has his hand on your shoulder!
Janie Quillen Johnson City, TN (Sent Oct 19, 2005 7:39:42 PM)
Mr. Mollere,
I am very sorry for your loss but I am very happy that you are safe and your dog. I know I wasn't able to help after Katrina but my prayers with you and everybody out there. Please be strong and have faith in God because God's with you the whole time you was going through what you've been through and even now the Man up there still with you. Please don't give up and I know everything will be alright.
My prayers with you always and your dog.....
S. V. Albano, Jacksonville, FL (Sent Oct 19, 2005 9:22:38 PM)
Mr. Mollere: My heart goes out to you in the loss of your mother. I lived in Waveland with my family a very long time ago. It was in 1949. I was just a toddler at that time. We were displaced immigrants from Europe. We were sponsored by the Thompson family. I had the pleasure of hearing from them when I wrote them a letter while I was in high school in Chicago, Illinois. The Thompsons had a son named Albert. My mother remembered stories from the elder Thompsons about past storms. I am so sorry that so much damage was incurred. I feel a small link to this town. My mother says there were many wonderful people there. I hope you can rebuild soon. You were spared for a purpose, God Bless you.
Iryne Panas Schubert. Phoenix, Arizona (Sent Oct 19, 2005 11:59:01 PM)
Brian, I am so sorry for your loss. I know it is not easy to forget what you could have been through but I can see that you are a very courageous man. Your mother must be very proud for she raised her son well. This must be the blessings from God and thus be strong and have faith. I pray that your days get better and yes take that vacation and dont forget to bring along Rocky! Have a blessed day and holidays too!!
Veronica Jackson, Miri, Sarawak Malaysia (Sent Oct 20, 2005 2:09:02 AM)
I just think that God is busy to give us signs that the end of the world is near.In Luke 9:11 it says:" And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven." Mr Mollere, I am sorry for your loss but God decided that your work on earth is not done yet. I pray that He will hold you in the palm of His hand and that he will protect you against all evil.
My prayers are with you!!!!!!
Barelize Wallis, Standerton, RSA (Sent Oct 20, 2005 3:40:05 AM)
God bless you & the others at ground zero in Mississippi.I only wish the rabid news media had covered the gulf coast story with half the fervor they did in New Orleans.People outside the gulf coast think Katrina only affected the socialist state of Louisiana & its indolent inhabitants who never believed they would be victims of a storm,as they have never had a direct hit in the Big Sleazy.If the rest of the USA wants to help tell your congressmen/women to send money to other places than Louisiana & dont be stupid enough to give those thieves in Baton Rouge the money to rebuild New Orleans in its below sea level location.
Warren, Pace Fla (Sent Oct 20, 2005 8:13:09 AM)
I am so sorry about your mother, but like others have said you were not spared for no reason. God has a plan for all of us and you are on your own journey. I hope you are blessed and may god take care of you and yours.
DFG ,Palmersville, TN (Sent Oct 20, 2005 10:31:15 AM)
I am sorry for your loss .Its plain to see that God has something else for you to do on this earth,so keep your head up .My thoughts and prayers are with you.God Bless You.
Jennifer Americus,Ga (Sent Oct 20, 2005 10:49:25 AM)
Mr. Mollere
I was so touched by your story and saddened by the losses you sustained. I nearly cried reading your story as well as the kind words of other people showing their concern for you and your situation. I live in south florida and will be facing a possible strike by wilma, and so far we have been spared int he 8+ years i have lived here. damage happened around us, but not to us.
Your dear mother is very proud of you and I am sure believes that if one of you had to leave the earth that she had lived a long life. May god bless her and you for the strength you have shown in your time of disaster. I am so pleased you kept the dog with you, I myself worry as I have a house full of animals and losing any loved one animal or human is hard, so I commend you for saving that little pooch. I am sure the love that the dog brings to you and the memories through that dog from your mom will last you the rest of your lifetime. I wish you well and may the light of god shine upon you.
cheryl Wellington, FL (Sent Oct 20, 2005 10:49:32 AM)
As Wilma approaches Florida, I think of my friends in Port Charlotte. I hope and pray that it misses them, but if not, that there is a man like you available to them when they need it. God has provided you to all of those people as his instrument. To be Gods instrument, you must be a special person. Your mother is with him now and totally happy and content in his arms. He will continue to bless you and provide for you througout your life.
Sheila (Sent Oct 20, 2005 10:56:36 AM)
devistation and lose brings out the real person in each of us and it all works out in Gods plan and Gods time. He will truely bless you.
apn, robins, ga (Sent Oct 20, 2005 11:44:55 AM)
I live here along the Texas coast and had to evacuate for Hurricane Rita, so, I do know what you are going through somewhat. I am sorry for your loss and God will guide you the rest of the way, he has brought you this far. Always look to the stars.
Jeanine Daley, Pasadena, Texas (Sent Oct 20, 2005 12:12:35 PM)
Might I offer up Arkansas....it's beautiful this time of year with the leaves changing in the Ozarks. When you're ready after laying you're Mom to rest, we'll be here. Does your little dog get along with cats. I've got cats and dogs and we can alway set another place at the table. No strangers here. My brother sees to that. Take care and God Bless.
Pam (Sent Oct 20, 2005 12:26:15 PM)
Brian: God Bless you and Rocky. I recently lost my Mother and I know she watches over me 24/7, just as your Mother is watching over you and ALWAYS will. Hang in there - good things DO come to good people, in my eye you are the BEST and truly an American Hero!!!
DeeDee, Georgia (Sent Oct 20, 2005 12:54:48 PM)
Mr. Mollere, I just want to say that I love you and you just encouraged my soul. You were given a part of your mother her dog. Her spirit still lives on take care of her dog and start now to prepare to meet her in glory. Remember all the good times and continue to look up for your labor of love has not been forgotten. We all love you, keep on keeping on!!!! God Bless:-)
Juanita Smith, Gaston, SC (Sent Oct 20, 2005 1:25:48 PM)
I am so grateful for people like you in the world. God has touched you and you are now a hero for sure. I wish your spirit could thrive in everyone around the world for this is what God is talking about, you know "LOVE THY NEIGHBOR". YOU definitely put that Commandment into action. Thank you Lord Almighty for all that you have done and continue to do to help those around you.
Pattie (Tampa, FL)
Pattie, Tampa, Florida (Sent Oct 20, 2005 2:06:33 PM)
Brain, i read your story i was very touched. God does have a purpose for you. even the litte faith goes along way. remember the mustard seed
LINDA OLIPHANT TULSA, OK (Sent Oct 20, 2005 2:21:13 PM)
Brian: God is your strength and will not put anymore on you than you can stand. I am sorry you lost your mom, but I know she has gone to a better place, where there is no suffering. Remember to pray the 23rd Psalm for strength, and thank the lord that he will continue to watch over and guide you through the valley of shadows in your life. My prayers are with you.
Jerome Register (Sent Oct 20, 2005 3:18:13 PM)
Brian,
Hopefully I will make some sence, my eyes are filled with tears, so it is a little hard to see the keys. My heart is with you and for those that have lost so much. I'm very sorry for the loss of your mother, especially at a time when family is needed. I am in Naples, FL facing Hurrican Wilma. Before I read your story, I thought, what am I going to do if I lose everything? If I do lose everything, I hope there is someone like you there to help guide me. Your courage and bravery is an inspiration to me. I will have you in my prayers. The world could use a few more people like you to show that you can have nothing and still be rich, rich with love from your mother and God.
Michele, Naples, Florida (Sent Oct 20, 2005 3:45:03 PM)
Mr. Mollere, I'm so sorry for your loss and my prayers are with you. I like everyone else has watched all the devistation and I've cried along with you. Be strong and may God be with you at all times. Good Luck to you.
Sheryl Mitchell, South Holland, Illinois (Sent Oct 20, 2005 3:47:53 PM)
Brian,
Your truly are a gentleman. I had the opportunity to meet you (and Rocky) a few weeks ago on your property. You took the time to tell me your story, and explain the entire mural (what is left of it)that stands across the sreet. Perhaps my most rewarding interaction while I was deployed on disaster relief with the American Red Cross was meeting with you. You had only kind words for the ARC, and that really makes us feel that we were making a difference in the gulf region. I will always have a soft spot for your home town of Waveland and would like to vist again another day. We will keep you and the people in the effected areas of the gulf region in our thoughs and prayers for quite some time. In fact I will never forget meeting with you, and hearing your story as long as I live.
Marvin E. Lewis, Gaylord, Michigan (Sent Oct 20, 2005 5:26:56 PM)
TO MR.MOLLERE (BRIAN) YOU ARE A STRONG MAN AND ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT YOUR MOM IS IN A BETTER PLACE & THAT YOU WILL REGAIN STRENGTH SOON. JUST PRAY & KEEP FAITH. GOD WILL PREVAIL. MAY GOD BLESS YOU!!
MONICA WATSON, TUSCALOOSA, AL (Sent Oct 21, 2005 6:50:05 PM)
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