The thing that doesn't make any sense is that millions of dollars is getting thrown at places like this with really know rhyme or reason to it. No talk of long term planning with the money, or how it will be evenly distributed throughout the community. Another issue is once these communities are rebuilt, the poor and homeless will be left out in the cold, and with the recent 500 million dollar cut back of food stamps and other assistance, what will happen to them?

Why should the federal government be paying so much to get so little? These people had the right and the opportunity to buy flood insurance. If they chose not to buy it, then that was a known risk that they agreed to handle. As for the federal government paying to run local governments, I say reduce the size of the local government to the new size of the local community. Everyone expects a bail out, and then a free ride from Uncle Sam. Look at the poor and the homeless from New Orleans. They are the model for what needs to be done. MOVE to Dallas, move to Houston, move to small towns in North Carolina or wherever. Pick a new community with a good economy, good jobs, good schools. Take advantage of the kind hearted citizens of the US that will take people in and give them a chance... but then you are on your own to support yourself and your family. Having FEMA on-site for years to come is a huge waste of $$$$$. There is a place for the feds to come in, save lives, clean up the debris, and then leave. This is America, those people that want to stay will stay and find a way to support themselves. Others will leave. We do not need to throw billions at this. Even worse, think of the federal spending to rebuild levees surrounding communities in New Orleans that are below sea level. Such communities are a bad idea... there is plenty of land above sea level. Nature has reclaimed these wetlands, let nature have what is hers. Human beings cannot live below sea level.

there are so much destruction around, our heart's are failing because of fear. right now just the sight of gray cloud sends person running. These destruction are showing us how fragile our time here on earth is and who is grand master of this universe. For years God and his word have been kicked out of our lives and society and now we are reaping the fruit thereof. I pray that we take a deeper look at life and return to our first love JESUS CHRIST

Agape!
Marian

I recently returned from the Netherlands a country below sea level for many,many years on the edge of the North Sea.How do they do it?
I would suggest we ask their contractors to bid on a
proposal doing it the right way in New Orleans.
If you live on a flood plain,or on the edge of a river,ocean,lake,earthquake prone zones,fire hazard zones,unstable hillsides,etc-why should we help you?[except for the first time]

Many people are worried about the cost of rebuilding these ravaged cities, but if Habitat can build homes for low incomed families and get them into homes, why can't the people of the US pitch in and assist the families to rebuild without the massive expense? The federal money should be spent to replace the necessary things like the jails, courthouses, hospitals, schools. Town halls don't have to be extremely large nor does everyone that works there have to have their own office. Building a 50' x 25' building and dividing it into cubicals for the NECESSARY personnel would work just fine for now. This building could be put to good use later, maybe as a community meeting building for clubs like 4-H, Scouts, etc. when the town is up and running and can afford to build a town hall like they want. But everyone needs to remember that if this area got hit this bad this time, it can happen again. The homes and businesses need to be replaced with stronger structures if possible. America is full of wonderful volunteers who would love to reach out and help. The best thing these cities could do is hire someone to determine exactly what each city or town needs to get back on it's feet and then reach out online to those volunteers for assistance. If a town has 3 school buildings that need to be cleaned, repaired and restocked, then reach out to other schools across the country and the outpouring will be so great that very little federal money will have to go to replace the lost stock. I hear people say that they would like to assist, but don't know how. Many don't have money to give, but do have lots of time to donate with charity drives, helping hands, etc. Why can't someone get started and compile a list of what people can do to assist instead of always saying "Give Money!"

As we move on towards the holidays (and our own busy agendas) in these days of hour-to-hour Major Headline Stories involving Washington Politics, the Economy and Iraq, let us not forget the victims of the Gulf Coast and their Tragedies, Triumphs, and Courage, just to make it through another day!

I'd like to hear from people close to the situation about what is happening to businesses, especially local ones. What is making recovery possible? What are the barriers to recovery?

I am originally from Mississippi and I have yet to experience something of great magnitude like this. I pray that God will change some of our hearts out here and acknowlegde that He is Lord and is in control of everything. I also pray that we can come together as a community and work some things out to help our fellow men. No, we should not handicap one another, but we must encourage one another to become self-motivated and self-sufficient. God bless those of you who were directly affected by this travesty. And also may there be a blessing on those who might have been affected indirectly. It's disheartening to know that some lost everything and people just don't know where to turn. Let's keep each other uplifted!

God Bless

I don't understand all this about flood insurance. It was a hurricane wasn't it? They will pay for a fallen tree, but not an obliterated house? Maybe they should have had "wind" insurance too. What a joke, and an absolute injustice.

I am in Mississippi and have seen some of the effects of this. I have friends and family that have lost homes and are looking to return to the coast. I have patients that have been displaced and are attempting to pick up the pieces along with dealing with a terminal illness. Those in this world that believe that we should not help others really should put themselves in the place of others. I agree that there are some issues with the dispursing of money and there are some of that are looking for nothing more than a handout. Do the actual needs go unmet because we are scared of being ripped off? My answer is no. Give to agencies such as the Red Cross, and Salvation Army. Use your head and be aware of the situations that do not feel right. Do not give to those who have holes in their story. As for the comments that discuss where people should live. I believe that this is a personal choice. Who are we to make life choices for others? There is some truth to making sure that you are protected by insurance, but again some people live from check to check and can not afford this that seem unnecessary at the time.

Another comment on the fiancial issues. The Welfare system was set up to assist those having difficult times to move forward. It is not being used as a way of time for some. We have tought people not to save for retirement just use Medicare and Social Security. We have tought people to live one the system and not make their own living. We have also made it finanical beneficial for some to not work and worry about daycare costs that to work and not be able to afford daycare and other needs. So why again are we suprised that some are looking to us to get them out of this? This is not related to those that are legitamate in the position of needing assistance. This is onlye directed to those that are using the system.

In all this remember, pray and let God lead you through the choices that he puts before you. If you keep him first then the choice to help others financially, or open your hearts to them, will not be a tough one. I believe it was James Dobson that told his children that he will have to answer for what he does with the situation not what someone else does with the money he gives.

I don't agree nor do I understand the "rebuilding" of New Orleans and surrounding demolished areas. It is a tragedy and it happened but it also happened 36 years ago. The Louisiana Government failed to maintain levees, that is a fact. Perhaps if Louisiana's local government used their local taxes to restore and repair the levees, the impact would not have been as horrific. That aside, my family and I work hard for our money and we live in New Jersey. I've never been to, nor do I plan on going to Louisiana or New Orleans. I disagree with my family's tax dollars which are needed elsewhere, to go to a doomed community. The reality is, they are located below sea level. You can fix, rebuild, etc. and it will happen again. It's like digging a hole and having someone fill it as you're digging, its a pointless project. I'm sure that the residents don't think that it is but prior to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, we had homeless, poor, hungry children and families who need help. Our tax dollars need to go to education, housing, food, medical, etc all over this country not in one concentrated area.

I'm a little surprised at the reactions of some of the people who have written in. I am from Mississippi and I still have a lot of family and friends there. I have personally been there and seen the destruction that this article mentions and it still doesnt compare to actually walking down a street that once had beautiful homes to seeing the house completely gone or split in two on diferent sides of the street. Why in the world would you not rebuild? Yes it will be hard but thats what makes me proud to be from Miss. and seeing how people are pulling together to not just rebuild what they lost but to help those around them as well. I know people who have lost everything that they had and are living everyday to help others. I know other people who have quit their jobs to help. Oh and to the comment about the flood insurance the insurance companies came out before any of this happened and told the people who lived on the other side of the railroad tracks down there that they did not need to purchase this for their homes and those who did are being told they only are getting a $1000 for their entire lives. Thought that would help with that confusion

I only hope that the people in Bay St. Louis - Waveland and anyone else who lives on the coast or in a floodplain learns something from this summer. First, don't build on property at risk to flooding or hurricane storm surge. Second, if you do build on property at risk to flooding or storm surges or purchase/own a structure at risk, then listen to your local officials and elevate your structure above the 100 year event and use appropriate construction techniques. Third, buy flood/hurricane insurance if your community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program. Fourth, if your community does not participate in the NFIP, ask why and work to make your community a participating one and then buy insurance. And finally, if you don't do any of the things listed above, stop expecting the rest of us to save you when the storm hits and to support you afterwards. Recognize that individuals choose the amount of risk they face and the actions they can take to reduce that risk.

I am someone who works in the field of disaster management, specifically flooding. It is amazing the amount of denial that exists out in the floodplains and how much homeowners will fight you when you ask them to mitigate the risk or follow the rules. They are always just outside the floodplain so they don't have to do anything.

Everyone talks about the cost to rebuild. Yes, many didn't have flood insurance, but the FEMA flood maps were incorrect and only recently were revised. Many people who didn't have insurance thought they were safe from flooding, as all the previous maps were based on the flooding & surge from Hurricane Camille, which was the benchmark for many here on the gulf coast.

What many don't see is that this area does have a vibrant economy, with shipbuilding Northrup/Grumman/Ingalls),
fishing, the arts, resturants, casnios & hotels, tourism, and the revenue which comes in from being the home to the men & women who serve our country in the Naval Construction Batallion (Gulfport) and at Keesler AFB (Biloxi). All of this makes this an area worth rebuilding.

I can attest to this as I'm from Pass Christian, MS. We moved there in Jan '05 from NH. I love the 'Pass'. I knew my neighbors, I knew the store owners, I loved my little house, and I loved the way of life and the quality of life in the Pass. We were back home last week to meet the insurance adjuster and took the time to go to the beach. I love the beach. It goes on for miles of beautiful, soft sand. It is now littered with the debris of daily life...a tv, a child's bike, a loveseat, books, a grandfather clock. You can see trees sticking up in the waters of the Mississippi Sound. And beautiful rte 90 is unbelieveable. There are no words to describe the destruction we saw. Homes which we thought would have survived, are now demolished, their foundations cracked & ruined. All the landmarks I knew on Rte 90 (save for 2 homes) are completely gone.

I'm currently living out of 2 10'X 10'storage units, as we are in Georgia until we can figure out what our insurance will (or what they want to) cover. And I'm missing my Mississippi home so much that i want to cry. But i look forward to the day when i return, and shops are open, the beach clean, and i can put my feet in the water of the gulf.

imagine any other country, and how they would deal. first thing would be SAVING all possible lumber and building matrials, stacking them, letting them dry out, then re using them. Of course we are "too rich" to do this (accompnied by MANY excuses why it cant be done.) Plus we will rebuild where it will happen AGAIN! All this and "NoBid contracts too! WOW! Are we dumb!

I find it sad that anyone could be so cold to think that OUR homes shouldn't be rebuilt. That arguement should mean the entire state of Florida and the entire US coast should not exist (forget about Hawaii - they're asking for it!). We gave aid to those in New York after 911. Was that their one chance? Next terrorist attack, they're on their own? They should expect it? There are few if any "safe" places to live in the world, free of the weather or criminal attacks. I think it's important that the entire country realize that though New Orleans is under sea level, -every- -single- -person- in the United States benefits from theriches that come out of New Orleans. My city is more than just my home since it seems that doesn't matter to some. That precious money that is more important than our homes, was in part generated from here. New Orleans has many treasures: THE PORT -AND- THE OIL to just name a few. Where are these employees to live, eat, send their kids to school, etc? New Orleans doesn't exist due to a lack of land or stupidity. It provides vital services to the country. -that should not be forgotten or left in the shadow of "wasted" money.

I have just returned from Waveland and Bay St. Louis after delivering a travel trailer to a family who was told that FEMA was not going to supply any more trailers until after hurricane season. They had been living in a small tent for 6 weeks. Many people are still in shock and mental trauma looking for pieces of their lives in the rubble. Some don't even know to apply for aid or how to get help. The communities do not have an effective plan working to organize help groups or Gov't assistance. I heard while I was there that over 1300 sub contractor workers were originally brought in to clean up the streets but were getting so much hassel by FEMA for going too far into peoples yards that many have quit. Their was so much rubble that people just couldn't get it into the required front 10 feet of their property. Even though a lot of help has arrived it will only be hit or miss until the locals require an central command Inter-faith/Inter-government organization for organizing all the groups that are there. This same concept has worked very well in south Florida last year. I am also extremely worried about the ability of these local governmemts to survive with little or no property tax revenue next year. Many people will just abandon thier now vacant property instead of paying taxes on a $500,000.00 house that is not there anymore. Every expensive house in Waveland was completely destroyed. The only ones left are lower to middle income families living further from the coast who will not be able to shoulder the tax burden of the whole area in the coming years of rebuilding.

Let's not blame the victims. The US helps other countries devasted by disaters such as this using tax dollars. Many times, knowing that we may not ever get the money back. Why wouldn't the communities affected by the flood expect the same assistance? We would have even more problems if we only expected people to live on "perfectly sound" land. We all benefit from the Gulf Coast and as such should contribute to its reconstruction.

It seems that with global warming, coastal lands are more and more at risk for weather disasters. I don't know why there is so much denial about global warming in our society. Facing a future of more hurricanes, I think a lot of coastal areas should be left to go back to nature as wildlife refuges & suchlike. Let people camp there, but don't build expensive structures. Don't a lot of communities keep their floodplains as recreation parks? Actually the coastal wetlands are sponges that are supposed to soak up flood waters; our development has sabotaged this natural process. Also, if I were living in an area like this, I'd invest in moveable housing. For instance, Yurts. They can be put up or taken down in a few hours and they can be quite roomy. One could probably get electric and plumbing hookups for them. Then, when there is a hurricane warning, take it down and load it into your truck and go. All I'm saying is, be creative and think beyond the standard brick & mortar box.

Those, particularly from Houston, who say that we should not help the victims and "write off" New Orleans" would do well to remember recent history and distant history.

Do you remember when Rita was chomping on our bit here in Houston? I made it all the way to San Antonio but it took me 18 hours to get there. And all along the way I saw people from Katy, just outside of Houston all the way to Seguin at every rest stop and gas station either exausted and lying out in the open, vulnerable, to a hurricane we thought was going to tear through the heart of east Texas.

Those people waiting for gasoline the governor promised but never came, (I know because I never saw a single Texas Army Guard fuel truck) and the people resting out in the open would have been wiped off the map. This is in a city of approximately 4.5 million. What then? Write off Houston? NASA?

What did we do about the Houston Medical Center after Tropical Storm Allison in June 2001? It looked like Venice after Allison came through. Do we write off the Medical Center, with it's premier cancer and cardiac centers? What will world renouned heart surgeons, Dr Denton Cooley and Dr. Michael E. DeBakey, do then?

Let's go back to distant history (By US Standards anyway) Do you recall the Galveston storm of 1900? Galveston was right at sea level. It struck Galveston and leveled practically the entire city. It killed, depending on who's estimate you use, between 7,000 and 10,000 people. Was Galveston written off? You can go there today and go through the historical Strand district with buildings dating back to the Civil War. There's a building there that survived a hit from a cannon fired by a Union Navy vessel.

Galveston's sea wall, built after yet another horrendous storm, was predicted to fail during Rita. Had she hit Galveston on the "dirty" side this would have, no doubt, happened.

I guess we should just write off the entire Gulf region and go back to the horse, buggy and the wood fire because most of the gasoline you in the rest of the country use is refined and distributed from either Houston or New Orleans.

Now if you want to write us off, then you should be prepared to freeze in the winter and ride bicycles to work because none of that natural gas and substantial amount of the gasoline you use will get produced and distributed without us. You doubt me? Wait 'till you see your heating bill this winter.

Now lets get back to work. There's work to do rebuilding the Gulf.

Alright, this hurricane of course as many of you guys know was a major devastation to our way of life. Biloxi I used to think was boring but this summer before the hurricane I came to realize I love this place. You will never find anything in the world like this place, the people, the communities, the history, oh the list goes on. I have friends who have lost everything and for those who say the people on the coast are stupid for living there your wrong, for those who say the government shouldn't spend money over here your still wrong, people had a way of life they want it back. Our community our city and our way of life in biloxi as well as all along the coast was great. I miss the way it used to be. School is a whole lot different. I have lost so many people. I want this community to get rebuilt to be better. I want my friends to come back. I say no matter what the cost these are people who are good...they need their live back...lets rebuild.

"God is in control". We all have an opinion and the government (local,state and federal)have opinions and decision making power about the devastation casued by hurricane katrina. However,the only real truth in this situation is that "God is in control". Continue to excercise your "freedom of speech" (because it's a good thing), but please don't forget to pray for all affected by hurricane, fire, blizzard, earthquake, mudslides, volcano eruptions,violence, child abuse, suicide, homicide, political differences,religious barriers,racial barriers, social barriers, etc. Because the only real truth is that "God is in control". That's good news.

Nature's wrath can strike anywhere. Rebuilding is the cost of living alone. More will be lost when the Bird Flue really jumps species. People look at this Hurricane and marvel that people live in these disaster prone areas. Every area of Earth is Disaster Prone. Some just take longer than others. For the ones that have a lower quantity of disasters.. the disaster that does occur often is far much more traumatic to recover from. I dread the awakening of the Yellow Stone volcanic system. Central North America has tornados, floods, and blizards every year. It's ongoing, small, and has its costs. True, Katrina and Rita were unique in their level of destruction, but that level destruction can occur at any time.. at any place. Do you want to have your hopes and dreams abandoned by society if and when it happens to you or your children or their children? Rethink the value of charity.

I live near Mississppi Coast, work there, eat there, meet alot of friendly people. We seem to give millions in aid to other Countries without a bat of the eye but when it comes to good hard working people of the mississippi coast or new orleans the people of this country seem to want to write all of us off. Sorry people not happening with or without help we will rebuild this part of the Mississippi Coast helping our neighbors in need, live and love where we live and of course wait for the next hurricane, no difference then California and there mud slides, quakes, forests fires or the mid west and the tornado season or north east and there blissards. My neighbor needs my help now something some of you may have forgotten.

I am the principal of an elementary school that has "adopted" North Bay Elementary, one of the Bay St. Louis schools destroyed by Katrina. We have been in contact with a liaison there who says nearly all was lost there. They are awaiting the delivery of portable classrooms and hope to be back in session by November 1st. Please remember the children of Bay St. Louis, as well as their teachers, during this difficult time.

Its easy to sit back and say what should have been.
I reside in Slidell, Louisiana. A small town like so many that have been impacted by the storm. I feel like one of the lucky ones. I can still live in my home. So many cannot. When you belong to the human race like we all do(maybe a few exceptions).....you feel the loss. So many people without a place to call home. Imagine if you were to loose everything you ever treasured? Ofcourse you didn't know how much you valued it, until it was no longer. Funny how things work that way. Sure, its easy to sit back and say what if! Let me share a few what "if's"!
What if the local,state and federal officials called an evacuation that much sooner? What if the levee's were built to withstand a catagory 5 storm as requested by the corp of engineers? I bet the federal govt wishes they would have listened....think of all the millions saved! What if the insurance companies would have shared the difference between flood/wind/rising water/tital surge insurance with its policy holders? JOKE! I live in a "no flood" zone. The water was knocking at my door. If it had entered,I would have been "SOL"!
Like so many people I have encountered. What if New Orleans never rebuilds? What if? I know... a fun place to visit but who wants to live there? Who? Why go back to a place that care forgot! Remember that SF when the big one hits and the ground finally stops moving. Miami....if the trend holds,could you be next? Houston....NY.....immune? Haven't we learned anything?
PS, FEMA...I don't blame you. It's obvious your "overwhelmed". God help us if we(as a country are truly in trouble)....were screwed!
PSS, RED CROSS, never another cent!

I just returned from a week of volunteering at The Waveland Free Market and Cafe. I saw devastation beyond compare. You are all forgetting the human element. These people are faced with grim decisions of their future. For many this may take weeks or months to decide whether to stay or move. They are just now coming to the realization of what has happend and trying to get a grip on themselves and their futures. Imagine yourself trying to make this decision. There are immediate, mid term and long term needs for these people. Where's your heart America? I literally had to ask people if they wanted a shovel or a rake as there were not enough to go around. There are waiting list for tents, people are sleeping in their cars or under tarps. Where is you heart America? We need to bombard Tent Manufacturers, Shovel manufacturers, Toilet Paper Companies, etc and ask them to please donate some of their products. We were handing out 2 rolls of toilet paper per family, per day. Come on America, where is your Heart?

Good things are happening in Waveland and Bay St Louis, and the determination of a few amazing people are making them happen. Please check out www.foundationhope.net and read the news article, view the video, and take a little time to contemplate how you would feel if you returned to concrete pilings and a pile of rubble where your home once stood. Or a home that is still standing, but with 5 ft of black mold on the walls and your stove in your bedroom. And know that despite their hardships, the people here are so very polite, gracious, and beautifully happy to receive something as simple as a can opener. It's a little something to smile about.

To the major insurance company that relentlessly bombards the public through all media that its customers are in "Good Hands", I have this to say:
If you would spend a few million $$$ less on your nauseating TV ads, and use that money for actual pay-outs, or at the very least to brief your telephone operators & claim agents on the basic nature of a hurricane, then MAYBE, we (the customers) would not have to WAIT what seems to be an eternity for a pair of these "Good Hands" to actually pick up the phone!!!!
It is ridiculous, if not criminal, for these companies to play "corporate phone-tag" with policy-holding customers who have lost their homes & jobs and want to get on with their lives ASAP!!!
I'm sick & tired of talking to someone in Montana or Singapore.

It seems that a lot of times, people forget that the South is part of the United States. People prefer to write us off as another third world country. But, in fact, we are a part of the States, and we deserve the money to rebuild. Didn't our taxpayers' dollars go into rebuilding every year the Mississippi floods its plains in the Midwest? Didn't they go to help out earthquake ravaged San Francisco? Is there talk after these natural disasters of letting them go back to nature? Fact of the matter is, that if you were to let these disaster-prone areas go back to nature, there would be no place in the US for anybody to go to be "safe". People in these areas took precautions. My mother's house was on stilts in Pass Christian, she had flood insurance. Her house was under 30 feet of water. This means that she will get about $30,000 for a home worth over $240,000. Flood insurance is for rennovation. How do you rennovate a home that the metal that holds it together is rusted from the seawater, a home that the beams are covered in a black, sludgy mold, a home that no longer has roads to it? That's one that has to be demolished. Will the insurance cover that??? She is choosing to rebuild. I chose to leave.

Ther are certain risks involved to live just about anywhere in the United Stated. Up north you have Blizzards; out west there are earthquakes; the mid-section there are tornado's; east coast there are hurricanes and of course now we know the gulf coast has its disasters too. So what do we do? Our country was founded on, and at one time owned up to its responsibilities and took care of its own problems. Now there is the blame game - its the cities fault, its the governers fault, Pres Bush caused all of this, FEMA didnt respond fast enough,its the white man keeping down the black folks, rich man keeping the poor, poor. Goodness sakes. Each person SHOULD be responsible for themselves and make decisions in their life to to be self sustaining to a certain extent. This is what you call "dealing with life on life's terms". Come on, lets us all take a real look at ourselves and learn to be accountable for our actions and decisions. If you break the law enough chances are you will go to jail, a consequence for you actions. If you build a $500,000 home on the beach chances are the beach will erode away or there will be a disaster. Never the less it was your own choice to build and live there. Responsilility is a tough word that most of americans do not or will not incorporate into there vocabulary. Being accountable is nearly non-existant in today's society. No, life is not fair and and there is good in humans and there is evil in them just as well. Blaming someone else for our decisions or our actions: "devil made me do it, Its Gods fault, its Pres Bush's fault, Gas is to high, economy sucks, Iraq war. What actions our decisions have you done that has contributed to lately. Filled up you suv LATELY, did you vote in the last election, do you buy all your goods from china, japan, Taiwan, do you invest in the lives of your children, Trust me i'm not preaching to the choir, I am including myself in this article too. How about we all take a step back, evaluate it and decide to be responsible, accountable and do not put ourselves in a position to cause " A SELF IMPOSED CRISES"
iF SOMEONE WANTS TO REBUILD ON THE EXACT POINT WHERE THEY JUST LOST EVERYTHING....FINE do it with your own money and dont ask for a handout or a bailout because it is going to happen again. And I will close with this. Insanity- doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results.

I have recently returned from Waveland and Bay St. Louis. I was located in that area for hurricane recovery. There are a few things that are escaping public knowledge. The largest of those items....no flood insurance. The majority of the homes in these areas wer not offered flood insurance due to not being in a flood plain. The flood plain is established in a 100 year flood event. Most of these homes were not in the 100 year flood plain. Due to that fact, the only homes that had flood insurance were for other reasons: poor drainage in their neighborhoods that caused floods during heavy rain, a minimal number had been flooded by local rivers in the area, etc. The insurance companies are literally coming into a home and looking to see what damage was caused by wind and what was caused by water. The damage caused by water, will not be covered unless you have flood insurance.

My heart broke for these people while I was there. Watching the events on TV is one thing, but you get a whole new prospective on the ground. One thing that I can say for the residents of this area is that their resolve to survive and overcome is tremendous. While there, I witnessed neighbors living and working together to salvage some part of normalcy. I saw a store open its doors to all its neighbors. Everything from their stock was up for the taking. No charge. This is the same store that opened its doors and now houses 14 people inside the house area of their store.

Neighbors taking care of neighbors. Strangers now fused as friends through crisis.

Thank you to the American public who has reached out to help pick up my fallen towns of Bay St. Louis/Waveland. I know some say that the towns shouldn't be rebuilt, but I am here to say that tragedy can strike anywhere and to be apart from the place you call home creates a hole inside your soul. I am working away from the coast, my husband, my friends, and my beloved town. At 35 feet above sea level, my home was in the highest point in Old Town which had never seen water. This was a 400 year catastrophic event. I am grateful to the people who have come to our aid, especially those from New York and from Florida who said the Gulf Coast devastation was worse than 9-11 or the Florida Hurricanes. People from all over the world who didn't have to sacrifice their time, but chose to come our of love for our county and our coast are owed a debt of gratitude that we will only be able to repay by showing our resolve to survive and rebuild. It is difficult to put long term rebuild plans in place when you are living from day to day, but the Bay/Waveland city officials are working to create the ideas that will shape our future coast. The churches, the citizens, and the National Guard have taken the lead in taking care of our residents who cannot care for themself to help them find daily provisions, medical care, and emotional support that is so important at this time. I moved from Atlanta to the Bay to live in a beautiful place that many people from all over the country choose to be their vacation spot. I lived in the paradise of Bay St. Louis "a place apart". It still is and will always be a paradise is because our people make us an extrodinary community.

I would like to thank everyone for their prayers and much needed assistance that we have been provided with during this time. We absolutely could not get through this nightmare without the help of others. The outpouring of assistance that we have seen from all over the country if amazing. It saddens me to see the negative comments of some on this site. I'm sure (for those of you who have written in explaining to others how stupid people from Mississippi and Louisiana are for rebuilding their homes and lives in this devastated area) you have never lived through anything so horrific in your lives. I apologize for the fact that you feel like we are a waste of your tax dollars, but I'm sure if this directly affected you and your livelihood you would feel otherwise. I am also sure that you have never stood in a line with two small children for food and water. You also probably never listened to your two year old child cry himself to sleep because of hunger; because I have. I swam from my parent's home during the midst of Katrina with my 10 month old and two year old in life jackets. I swam from a home that was deemed NOT in a flood zone by our government, and was told that it was not necessary to have flood insurance. Upon returning to my home that my husband and I have WORKED (THAT'S RIGHT FOLKS. WE PAY TAXES.) to build for our family is destroyed. We had eight feet of water in our home. We returned to find everything we have ever had to be compeltely gone; covered in mud and muck, and now covered in mold. We are in a class C flood zone, which means no flood. Our elevation is 21 feet above sea level. I apologize that some feel that we are a tax on society, but I thought that we were all part of the United States of America, the greatest place on earth. The place where we have freedom to live where we want, believe what we want, and express ourselves. I only ask that you not judge us unless you have walked in our shoes. We don't tell you where to live or what to do; so show us the same respect. We pay taxes too. We have jobs, and families and lives just like every other hardworking American, and if we were in a foreign country and this happened our country would be the first to step up and send aid. Many people commented that tax dollars are being spent to rebuild these areas and that we should just relocate because we could be using this money to aid the homeless...............GUESS WHAT.....THAT'S US......WE ARE THE HOMELESS...........and I didn't see any offers to take us in...............
This community of ours is totally devastated. You don't even know where you are in your own hometown because every landmark is gone. It is not about picking up and moving because this will happen again, it's about leaving behind everything that we have ever known.........our childhood homes, our jobs, our families, our churches, and our dreams. To not see firsthand what we are living through and to cast judgement is not fair so please if you can't say anything nice, just don't say anything at all.

I sit in my very nice, comfortable home and look around at my "things", pictures, antiques which belonged to both my husband and my families, things which were birthday, anniversary, Christmas presents from loved ones, and try to imagine it all gone. I cannot imagine the trauma the people of Katrina are going through. True, things aren't as important as people, but things anchor your lives, and when they are gone, you have no anchor. I sent my checks to help out, and do not resent tax monies being used. I do resent insurance companies being allowed to say no to these people, they should be made to pay and if they go out of business, so be it - the creation of insurance companies was intended for catastrophic events that individuals could not pay for! I do resent tax monies being used for rebuilding for people who are wealthy enough or with enough insurance to take care of things, or to people who seem to think it is owed to them and do nothing to help themselves, but they all should be helped in some degree. As many others have said, there is no place on earth that is truly safe from nature and we all need to help out wherever people need it.

Rebuild? Of course. How selfish and narrow minded to consider otherwise. People lived and worked in these areas and others visited and enjoyed the areas before the storm and no one complained... until their wallets were affected. Now everyone has an opinion about what is best for everyone else. These people need our help, our understanding, our patience. They don't need criticism or censure. Open your eyes and hearts and minds. Forget the dirty politics and what this one is doing or what that one is saying. I'm from there and I know these people. They are generous, hard-working, tax-paying, loyal Americans. If your area was destroyed by some catastrophic event, they would very generously work hard and donate their time, goods, and money to help you and yours recover. These storms have impacted all of us. Therefore, we ALL need to help in the recovery.

I just returned home from Waveland Mississippi. I was there serving the people of Waveland through the efforts of my church. I think that those of you who have not seen Waveland do not have the right to judge those people. They are showing a strength that is second to none. They are hopefull and determained to make that place their "home" again. I feel a sense of guilt being home now with food, clothing and shelter, knowing how much they are suffering. It is the responsibility of all of us to help these people get their lives back. I applaud the efforts of Camp Katrina and the other organizations there who have given their time and hearts to help the people of Waveland and surrounding communities.

I live in Pass Christian, Ms. It's a small town that lies right on the Gulf, between Long Beach and Bay St Louis. I was one of the few people that still has a home that did not flood. As crazy as it sounds people that live just a block away on both sides either lost their home through flood or wind. The moral is still high here. I've been working 7-7, seven days a week, trying to rebuild my home, my community. Many of the people that are here that lost their homes due to flooding didn't have flood insurance because they didn't live in a flood area and were told by their insurance companies that they didn't need it. Go figure. I'm sitting here reading what so many fellow taxpayers are saying and just wonder if the shoe was on the other foot, if their hand would be held out. Natural disasters can and will happen anywhere, it doesn't have to be a hurricane. Look at poor Florida, they get hit all the time, do they throw in the towel and run? No, because that is their home, it's the place that they love. I'm not holding my hand out because I still have a home, but what if it happened to you? My community, the places here that I love and the only places that I have ever known that are gone, will return, because here when things are bad, we stick together and do that we have to do to make it right. I pray to God that you are your families never have to go through what my family and friends are going through right now, everyday. To the rest of you that have a heart, thank you, your thoughts and prayers are highly appreciated. The south will return bigger and better and "ya'll" should come see it when we're through, it's going to be great.

My sister (Baltimore MD) and I (Binghamton, NY) are working all of our resources to assist Hancock County MS.

I have secured the monies raised at a local college for the soon-to-be-dedicated fund through Habitat For Humanity. I am working on getting similar funds through a local university and then will be working on getting similar funds through my alma mater.

I am working with our local high school for the community service portion of the Sr's requirements to go toward making dry-erase boards for the Hancock County School District.

I have written a letter to a mail-order catalog president to allow people to purchase bedding and other linens for Hancock County at greatly reduced prices and no shipping.

I have gone to http://www.firstrespondersrelief.com/ and printed out the information and sent it to all emergency services organizations in my county.

All of this is taking less than an hour a day. Usually 45 minutes and 4 phone calls a day total.

If you would like to know my resources and how you might go about doing the same in your area, please email me.

But consider this - if it happened to you, wouldn't you want someone to take a stand for you? Most people I know want to help, but don't want it to be so anonymous through the Red Cross, Salvation Army, etc. They want to HELP. And send their own goods if they can't send $$$.

Give people the opportunity to say "no". Because if you don't, you never give them the chance to say "yes"!

Leslie

I just wanted to express my deepest sympathy to ALL of the people that have suffered in this catastrophe. I have extended family members that live(ed) in Bay St. Louis and I can tell you it was the most beautiful version of "small town America" I have ever seen. My heart is just broken for all of you that have to re-build your lives. Please know that not every American is heartless and cannot empathize with your situation--I live in the Tampa Bay Area, it can very well be us the next time....People need to remember that we have no control over Mother Nature. God Bless....

My first 'real' post-college job was selling auto/home insurance for an extremely well-respected company. The funny thing about insurance is that almost every single policyholder in this country fails to read his or her insurance policy/ies to understand what is and what is not covered. When I would try to explain coverages and exclusions to people purchasing policies from me, as required by company policy, they would rush me along, saying they would either read the policy later or that they already understood.

Obviously, on the other end of the insurance transaction (the claim against the policy) people were VERY interested in what policies did or didn't cover, and the language used to convey the coverages and exclusions in the policy. Suddenly, the consumer's up-front ignorance and unwillingness to accept responsibility for understanding the coverages and contracts to which he was agreeing to be bound was not his or her fault, but the 'evil' insurance company's fault.

While I agree that it is extremely unfortunate that the NFIP got it wrong about the potential for flooding, the hurricane and the resulting damage was not the government's fault, and it was not the insurance companies' fault. It was an act of nature. The fact remains that every homeowners insurance policy written on a private residence in this country excludes flooding, regardless of whether or not the government has correctly evaluated the risk of a flood happening. To say that the government's ineptitude should force the insurance companies to compensate policyholders for things that their policies were neither written nor priced to cover is just not right, no matter how heartbreaking the individual cases. Did the individual homeowners truly believe living in a hurricane zone and so close to the gulf that there was no threat from flood? If so, why is the NFIP getting it wrong any worse than the homeowner making the same mistake?

Hurricanes, unlike other sudden and unpredictable disasters such as earthquakes, will never go away. Camille and Katrina have both leveled the gulf coast, now twice inside of 40 years. While I agree that it's inappropriate for anyone to tell people where they can and cannot live, I also feel that the assumption of responsibility for the risks associated with living in an area where disasters such as this are almost certain to continue should lie primarily with those individuals who choose to continue rebuilding.

Your insurance policies are contracts that bind both you and your insurers to various responsibilities, and they are priced according to the exposure to risk that the insurance company is underwriting on your behalf. You owe it to yourself to take an hour or so to read your policies, to ask questions if you don't understand them, and to honestly evaluate the risk that YOU still retain after a policy goes into effect, such as your deductibles, your exclusions and any other policy limitations.

I feel for those impacted by this because I've participated in catastrophic loss teams in my former career, but the fact that so much of this is either preventable or mitigated by a modicum of effort on behalf of the insurance-buying public continues to make me shake my head when the same exact insurance crises take place every single time a disaster like this strikes.

I am confused.Is the Mississippi Gulf Coast not a part of the United States of America anymore. Why would we even consider NOT rebuilding? This is where millions of AMERIANS call HOME. Who cares how much money it cost? Mississippi residents pay taxes to this country. I am a native of Waveland and my house is gone, all of my family things are gone, photos, memories all gone. How would the those opposed to rebuilding feel if this happened to them? Think of how you would feel if someone told you we don't want you to rebuild your home. We can blow up Iraq and rebuild it and that's ok? And we are even questioning rebuilding after Katrina. Thats amazing....

I will be heading to Bay St. Louis next month with a group of 35 people (all ages) to help out wherever we are needed. I am sure I will return with my own set of stories. I hope I will have some positive stories to bring home. Thank you MSNBC for this report and for keeping alive the tragedy and devastation of Katrina.

I will be heading to Bay St. Louis next month with a group of 35 people (all ages) to help out wherever we are needed. I am sure I will return with my own set of stories. I hope I will have some positive stories to bring home. Thank you MSNBC for this report and for keeping alive the tragedy and devastation of Katrina.

For most of us, what we know about the devastation of Katrina is from the news. Sound bites and a few thousand words cannot possibly give us the real picture. Based on the news, you would have thought that New Orleans was the only place devastated.
How do you plan for a disaster such as this? We seem to be spending more time pointing fingers at who didn't do what, instead of working on plans to rebuild these areas.
We need to remember that this is more than a few houses and businesses, in a small area, being destroyed. Some people just need to grow up.

We are all Americans...helping each other is our responsibility. Re-building is a must...but it must be done with proper planning. We must help our own...but we must keep in mind that coruption can KILL any sound project or effort. Re-build it the right way with proper planning and good respectable contractors who will do it that right way. We wasted enough money ....lets not waste anymore. Putting the blame on NO local government is justified...bring in new people to prevent the waste.

How much do we give other countries around the world and get nothing in return...not even a thank you. Lets reduce our foreign aid by 35% and re-build OUR COUNTRY.

We as citizens of this great nation (rich) have the right to determine where our money is spent...I must be dreaming again.

I have read the comments and sit here crying that some would be so heartless and cold. I have 7 friend without homes and a few without jobs because their workplaces are destroyed. I have seen what is left around Highway 90... guess what? Nothing is left.
This is home. This is where people get along and help each out when in need. There are "tent" subdivisions all over. These people are sharing their food with complete strangers they are helping others even though they need help themselves. I invite all of you who think we are a waste of taxpayers money to come down and stay a week in a tent and eat food from the military (MRE's). Talk to a 93 year old lady who could do nothing but swim to a tree and strap herself there for 4 hours because she lived 25 ft about sea level and was told that it never flooded in her area.
Stay in a house and watch the wind blow it away from you while you and your children were in it. Explain to your children why his/her friends are dead. Find a two little girls dead holding hands because they were trying to save each other. Be a dispatcher and talk to someone on the phone during the hurricane who said they know they are fixing to die but need to talk to someone until they do so they don't die alone. Do and see all this and tell me we don't deserve your help.

We are regular people who are doctors, artist, casino workers and teachers. We are poor and rich people. But we have over 138,000 houses that are gone or damaged.

Don't judge... your name is not God or Zeus or Mother Nature. We only ask for your prayers and help.

To all the ppl that say they should have had flood insurance. "You can't afford it there" The insurance company's have got out of paying for anything because they say it was caused by flooding. Our Government has let them do this. My family is from Waveland Ms. My cousins house is 25 feet from where it sat before the storm. A flood doesn't do that. A major storm does. Pll with flood insurance are not getting any coverage any better. FEMA will not even help them because the insurance company's say they will sooner or later. I have drove down from York,Pa twice since the storm to help them out. Its easy to sit in a area that wasn't hit by the storm and say they should move. What about all the help that goes to OKLA when a tornado goes though or mud slides in Ca. or even a hard hit winter in the north east(snow removal). The government helps them ppl too. Should they move? They live there because its their home!! We all can't live in New York City. The problem now is FEMA gave all the contacts to clean up to outside company's. They brought in ppl from other states and counties to work. The ppl in Ms want to help and need the jobs. They want to rebuild. Its their homes. They will not let them. If you don't see it first hand you can't understand what its like. Just like 9-11. If you are not from NYC you just can't or don't understand!!!! God Bless and our preys are with all that have lost from this Storm. Thank You

No one really expected the kind of devastation Katrina brought to the Gulf Coast. We were all caught short. I feel for the homeowners who did not necessarily choose to locate themselves in harm's way. They moved to or grew up in a place that had never seen the magnitude of destruction left behind by Katrina. They should not be blamed for what they did or did not do to protect themselves financially. Sometimes people are not prepared for what happens. In such a case they have to deal with the fallout and do what is necessary to recover. I certainly hope the rest of us have enough compassion to help in whatever way we can without criticizing these victims for seeming to contribute to their own trials.
That being said, now that we know how vulnerable these areas are, maybe it's time to re-evaluate the locations of these towns. Wrenching as it is, could the townspeople consider relocating and preserving the former town land as a wild area? This would make them less vulnerable to a threat like Katrina, and provide a natural buffer in such a situation.
Surely, we could find a compassionate balance that would help rebuild these devastated lives and help prevent a similar occurrence in the future.

I spent 3 weeks in Gulfport, Waveland and Bay St Louis with the Red Cross and if you met these people and talked to these people you would understand why and how they will rebuild. Although I would never wish a disaster on anyone - I felt honored to be in Mississippi. The people in MISSISSIPPI are handling it with such pride and grace. The least we can do as a government is help them until there is no need to help any more.

I just can't understand why people would want to rebuild in these areas again, who's to say that this won't happen again next year or worse yet, again this year? I would think they would take their fond memories and their families and build where they will be safe and where they won't have to worry about loosing everything again , what a nightmare, I thank god I'm in Upstate NY. We don't get all the storms and disasters. Come to My Neighborhood, you will be welcomed here.

I have been sitting here reading these posts after accidentally running across this site. My family lives in both Bay St Louis and Waveland. We have (had?) a business in Olde Towne Bay St Louis. I chose to leave, but that was MY choice. My mother and father and youngest sister and her fiance are still there. My brother has brought his family to Alabama more for the fact of getting the kids back in school than anything. He is still there working. I see him come here every weekend just so that he can spend some precious time with his family. I was there after the storm. The devestation that you see on the news and in pictures is nothing compared to seeing it in person. I can't believe the "it shouldn't be rebuilt" comments that I have seen on here. Put yourself in the shoes of the people of these communities...your whole town, your way of life, your memories...wiped out. How would you feel if someone told you that you could not rebuild and start again? These are HARD WORKING people. They pay their taxes. We send money all over the world, but the people in the US (ALL OF IT, INCLUDING THE GULF COAST)can't get help when they need it? Give me a break. If you can't comprehend what is going on there, then go and see it for yourself. These people are PROUD. I stood in those lines for assisstance. It did not matter if you were young or old or rich or poor, you stood in those lines. And thanked God everytime you saw a familiar face and friend. I talk to my mother regularly and hear about the trouble she is having dealing with her insurance companies. Yes, I said companies. She has flood insurance and is still getting the run around. The spirit of the towns is unbelievable there though. No matter how much or how little each person has, they are helping each other as much as they can.

Wake up America....this can happen anywhere at anytime. It may not be another hurricane, but it may be a flood, a tornado, a snow storm or an earthquake. We can not stop mother nature and I dont think anyone has a right to try to stop the people of these communities from rebuilding their lives. Thank you to MSNBC for bringing more coverage to Hancock County. My heart goes out to everyone affected by this storm. Thank you to everyone in America who has in one way or another lent a helping hand. God Bless.

My heart goes out to all the residents affected along the Mississippi/Louisiana Gulf coast. My wife and I frequently travelled and enjoyed the whole stretch, from Waveland to Biloxi. One thing I was always struck by however was the proximity of the houses to the beach. Along the coast, there was pretty much no dune protection at all. I do embrace rebuilding homes and lives. However, going forward, why not consider a "wild belt" along the beach. Designate the shore and everything a 1/2 mile inland as a wild area. Let people thoroughly enjoy themselves for the day, but retreat to the relitive safety of higher ground for permananet homes and structures. Environmentally and financially this makes more sense to me than perpetuating the rebuilding/destruction/rebuilding phases over and over.

I agree with Art Boyson of Braintree, Mass. As a 4th year college student in SC getting ready to transfer to a major 4 year college to study engineering with an Associate degree in General Engineering Technology, I think the buildings in Waveland and Bay St. Louis for the cities' base municipal structure should all be built with at least category 4 level wind resistant walls, extra walls, and all areas maximized in utility of use for various groups not just the city officials and staff. They will need community groups which are so important to growth for children and adults. Most buildings especially mobile homes are built to category level 3. This, of course, will not now stand up to a category level 5 storm. I expect, with global warming and the continued unstopped ozone layer destruction, that we will see more of this storms hitting the Gulf Coast of the U.S. We already have a bad storm hitting Cancun. Sometimes, considering the future weather, people should be more broad in planning coastal buildings and pay more attention to safety precautions in building. 30-40 foot waves is nothing to laugh at; Camille's era did not have to consider the effects of the destruction of the Ozone layer and the ensuing harsh storms of Global Warming with the El Nino Phenomena at times. Our country will be eaten away at the southern coastlines and the weather will effect the flora and fauna of those areas.

I am from Waveland and as I read these comments all I can do is get angry. Angry that there are people who feel we should not rebuild. How far inland shoud we not rebuild. If you don't know the area that you are talking about than you should not make comments like that. The storm caused damaage from New Orleans to Mobile and as far up as Jackson Mississippi and farther. Do you realize how big an area that is? How many of you have been to Jamaica, the Bahamas, Key West, Cancun. How about when a storm hits those areas we not rebuild the beautiful resorts that we all go for vacations. When an earthquake hits California let's not rebuild, or when a volcano hits the North West let's not rebuild there either. Maybe we love our home towns as much as the rest of America loves theres. I am so sorry we are using up Americas tax dollars. I do not remember anyone saying lets not rebuild after hurricanes Hugo and Andrew. Do you think that Mississippi and Louisiana are the only areas prone to hurricanes? Get real America and help each other, you never know when it will be your turn for mother nature to bring her wrath to your home town.

This to the persons who said "Those people could have bought flood insurance - but didn't", well just to try and clear the air - probably 60 percent of the people affected by this storm lived in a non-flood zone, zones which were determined by FEMA. Most of these people had mortgages on their homes, but because of the zones they lived in even the mortgage companies didn't require them to have flood insurance, and - like myself - live 2 1/2 miles or further from the beach and still had 13 feet of water in their homes. I agree that the hand outs should be monitored better, but there are many people who will need help - much like the people of Iraq and other places that the US has spent billions of dollars on to rebuild.
I know is it easy to sit somewhere and pass judgement on other people's situation, but unless you have walked in their shoes, or been homeless - maybe you should try not to be so harsh.

I'm so glad that MSN has extended coverage to the Mississippi coast. I volunteered with the Red Cross for 3 weeks in Bay St. Louis, at the Save-A-Center service site, so I know the devastation and have come to know the people. It's totally appalling and disturbing to read all the post opposing the resources being used to help these AMERICANS rebuild. You have no idea how hard hit the Mississippi coast was unless you go down there, they need help! This was there home, they should be given every opportunity to piece together there lives. I've worked long, hard, hot days with so many people in this community; these are good people who deserve a second chance. Shame on anyone who critizes helping this community. This type of devastation can happen anywhere, whether through natural or unnatural forces and I pray that there will be the same support available to help you get back on your feet. If NYC got hit again by terrorist I guess we won't rebuild because NYC is a constant target? Of course we will! And these people deserve the same opportunity no matter the cost. America has a billion dollars a week to spend in Iraq but doesn't have the money, will, or desire to help OUR people rebuild right at home? Wake up America!

My sister (S. Elaine Booker) and I recently went to Waveland, MS to lend a helping hand in handing out food and other useable items to the people of this wonderful town. My heart greeves for them in so many ways. To hear their stories of how things once were and how the insurance companies are giving them the run around in heartbreaking. The storm might have broken their homes, schools and churches but it has not and never will break their spirit or their faith. From Biloxi, MS to Waveland, MS and on down the coast was and will be again a beautiful place. The people have what my Grandmother always called "HEART". Many of my friends from here have gone down ever since the storm happened, trying to make sure some of the people have at least one hot meal a week. Just put yourself in their (the people of MS.)place, What if you and your family didn't have a warm bed to sleep in, have food to eat whenever you got hungry, didn't have shoes or clothes to wear. AMERICA these are the homeless and poor. Instead of helping the foreign countries, The people of Mississippi and Louisiana NOW NEED YOUR HELP. Please if you can help them in some sort of way so they can get their lives back. My sister and I will be going back every other weekend until we are not needed anymore. Hope that time will not take forever. Best wishes to all in MS and LA. and may God Bless and keep each and everyone of you safe.

It's a shame that American's can be so insensative about this issue. We are the richest country in the world, and we have been blessed beyond measure for centuries. Lives along the coast have been deveatated and destroyed, and we sit here and argue as to whether or not to rebuild. If it were you, your family or friends affected, what would you want to do and what would you expect others to do? I personally don't know anyone who lived in the Mississippi Gulf Coast area, however I travelled through there just this past summer. It was a beautiful community and an incrediable part of American history. But we are not just talking about history, we are talking about people's lives and their basic needs. Children, the elderly, families... We sit in our abundance and wonder why other's are poor, or why they did not have insurance, like insurance would have helped. Insurance is not a solution, governement is not the answer either. Criticism will not help. God truly is the only One in control, and everyday I acknowledge the blessings He has given me, through His Grace... Mother nature had nothing to do with these storms, God is the one who controls the winds and the waves. It's time to wake up as a nation. He has been trying to get our attention for years. We are a nation that was formed on Christian values, and all of a sudden, we throw compassion, love and patience out the window. Storms and catastrophies happen all over the world, and have forever, the question to ask is, where will we go from here? Where do you put your faith? God will provide, through His people. The only way we as a family, community, county, state or country will survive is when we bow our knees and ask the Father for forgivesness, so He then will heal our land. Rebuilding needs to begin in the heart of individuals. I pray that those of you who critize, are touched by God's love and compassion, that you would never have to live through the events our brothers and sisters in Mississippi have gone through. Reach out to those in need, because one day it may be you or your family. Then I'd hope you'd understand the Love of God.
My prayers are with all of those in need. May God give you strength for each day, and may you be encompassed by His love. Giving up is not an option, God is in control

I am AMAZED by the comments by those who simply do not have a clue as to what they are talking about. 1.) My home is(was)located at "ground zero" in Hancock County, MS...the eye of the storm literally passed over my community. YES, I did have Flood insurance AND Wind & Hail AND Homeowners Insurance and I have yet to receive ONE CENT! And, YES, I did read and fully understood the terms of my policy! State Farm is saying that this was a "flood event"...that is BULL! It comes as no surprise that they are taking that stand...by doing so, it gets them out of ANY responsibility to pay "ALE"--Additional Living Expenses which helps those, like me, who have lossed EVERYTHING and need to put a roof over their head. Like many, all that is left of my home is the concrete slab and the pilings(YES, my home was ELEVATED). They will not pay for "additional living expenses" unless I can prove that Wind was a factor! HELLO, doesn't anyone know the definition of HURRICANE? How can some people be covered for trees falling on their property(wind event), yet others whose homes were blown to pieces have to PROOVE it! The fact that many who lived through this and can testify as to how the wind took us down way before the water came through, doesn't matter to the Insurance companies...dealing with them has been the "nightmare AFTER the nightmare"!
2. Hancock County was a THRIVING community and a huge tax base for the rest of the state. $500,000 PER DAY was generated in tax revenue JUST from the casinos along the MS coast.
3. UNLIKE N.O., Hancock County is not a community built below sea level. A majority of the businesses and homes destroyed by Katrina WERE NOT IN A FLOOD ZONE!
In addition, 100+ tornadoes were also spawned off resulting in destruction as far inland as Bogolusa and Meridian(2+ hour drive from Bay St. Louis) WERE THESE FOLKS TOO CLOSE TO THE COAST AND SHOULDN'T REBUILD THERE, EITHER?
4. I personally invite each and every one of you who have chosen to make jugements about a community they have never visited..."be my guest at one of our weekly/daily meetings of tax-paying citizens, local officials, business people, emergency responders and volunteers who BELIEVE in the future of this community and BELIEVE in America"...I guarantee that you will return to YOUR homes with a new perspective and appreciation on how you view YOUR homes, YOUR communities, YOUR families and YOUR lives!
PS THANK YOU TO ALL WHO CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR US AND LEND A HELPING HAND. May God bless you!

To the person from Louisana about the beach front housing, the storm surge went inland 8 to 10 miles from the beach. There is a high water mark on I-10 at HWY 603 that clearly shows how far inland the waters raged. The cars people drove to "higher ground" ended up in a mass tumble of muck.

If you want to keep up with recovery on the Mississippi Coast then check out www.sunherald.com or www.wlox.com. It's a good way to see what is REALLY going on and not listen to rumors.

My parents grew up in New Orlenas as next door neighbors. While dating, they would take the train from New Orleans to the Gulf Coast, walk from the tracks and have a picnic on the beach. As children, we went to Clermont Harbor every weekend and every summer. We laugh about how our parents would bring us home the Sunday before school started. We spent our summers there with our two grandmothers. We all learned to fish, crab, flounder and beachcomb - not a care in life. After Camille, we moved to a camp in Waveland. We've raised our children, grandchildren and the great grandchildren as we were raised, loving the Coast.

I don't think you appreciate what you have until you can no longer have Thanksgiving sitting on the porch, watching the next generation walk the next generation across the Beach road to play in the sand. We've lost six homes and another one that probably should have been condemned, but my sister is trying so hard to make it livable again. The rest are nothing but slabs.

As I walked down our street and found dolls, wedding pictures from the 30's, pictures painted by local artists, I gathered them hoping one day to return them to their owners. It's sad that we've lost so much but the memories are what makes all of us keep going. We talk about what it will be like to again be togeter for holidays, watching the sunsets. We hope that our dad can be with us long enough to see it rebuilt-he loves the Coast so much. To all that say "don't rebuild" - you have no way of understanding what it's like to be part of the Coast. You have to had walked the beaches, caught crabs and fish from the seawall; watched each baby as they first learned to walk on the sand, run from the waves and laugh at the seagulls. You have to have had your summer romances - then watch your children have their's on the same beach. You remember the nieces and newphews and all their friends, getting dressed on Sat. nights to go to "The Good Life" - and then, the Easter egg hunts, Paw-Paw walking on the beach with our children, our mother picking crabs for hours and us, rocking babies to sleep on the porch, to the sound of the waves with only the moon lighting the porch. It's in your blood.

Yes, we are luckier than most. Only three of the seven homes were primary homes - the rest of us were planning on retiring within months/years because we all knew where we wanted to spend our retirement.
We have a brother, a sister and her family that stayed at the Coastal Inn in Waveland and a nephew in New Orleans with no way of leaving. For days we couldn't contact them. We did alot of praying. But we are the lucky ones - they lost everything but we have them alive. My heart hurts for those who have lost family and friends.

So to all that don't believe Waveland, the Bay and the Pass should rebuild, please understand that it's not that easy. My family will be rebuilding in these towns - somehow we will. We know that it may not be the most rational thing to do. But, you have to have been there to understand. If you get a chance to help, please do. The people of the Coast are trying so hard to get their lives back - they and we, all believe in the Coast - and can't wait to have it back.

i have repeatedly read comments from people that there are natural disasters all over the USA and no place is truly safe, but if they did some research they would see that the three safest states to live are MASS, CT, AND RI, in terms of fatalities and catostrophic weather events. Please don't even try to compare a blizzard to a hurricane, i have been through both, and believe me, a hurricane is by far much more desructive, there is no comparison.

He(The Lord)gave us specific instructions to live. One of them the second in importance is: Love your neighbor as you love yourself.
Money is recyclable as well is love. The money invested to re-build the Gulf coast is going to come back somehow. The love invested on them is going to be multiplied.
History show us. The US helped to re-built Japan after the 2nd WW. 60 years later Japan is richer and stronger, US is also richer, stronger and won a friend. There is not waste in giving, let's see life in perspective and focus in what matters.

If you have a problem with helping these people financially, just go down and help at the relief distribution center for just one day (usually 12-14hrs for most helpers) and just listen to the people. You will then know that sending money is the easy way to help and the very least we can do for these folks. You cannot go down there and not be affected. The pictures that you see are what the whole area looks like, not just one or two neighborhoods. The average income prior to Katrina was around 30,000 a year. They needed our help before this disaster.
Here is a local connection to the front lines. www.foundationhope.net
I personally have worked with them. I thank God every day for all that I have been blessed with (including family and friends). I want to help these people in every way possible.

I am from Bay St Louis. I have lived there all 27 years of my life! I pay taxes, do not receive welfare, and work a full time job, take care of my family and go to school full time! To all of you people that think that we are stupid for rebuilding- I hope and pray that your lives are never destroyed in the way that ours have been. Here is the difference between us and ya'll.... We are from MISSISSIPPI_ we have hearts and souls that will out way ya'lls any day of the week. WE will rebuild together. WE will take care of each other. Ya'll would probably sit around and drown in your own self-pity! WE will survive!!!!! Thanks to everyone who has positive things to say. THanks to everyone that has helped in anyway!! We appreciate everything!! A special thanks to the State of Florida (They have been through it!) These people were awesome!!

I think it's unfair to say that anyone has called anyone 'stupid' for wanting to rebuild - this is an emotional topic, and it doesn't help nor is the discourse elevated by trying to put words into the mouths of people who are asking legitimate questions about the future of the region and the huge national pricetag associated with rebuilding.

Regarding the insurance side of things, if you live in an area where flooding is a possibility, regardless how remote, insurance (flood or private) is NEVER going to be adequate. It just won't. Ever.