WAVELAND, Miss. – Space No. 154 is near the end of the dusty campground road out in Buccaneer State Park, but inside the 30-foot Keystone trailer that sits there a new beginning is under way for Shane and Ivy Jordan.
Surrounded by ice chests, kids’ bikes and lawn chairs, the travel trailer is now home for Katrina survivors Shane, 26, Ivy, 24, up to five kids at times and a finger-nipping Jack Russell terrier named Ellie.
Welcome to FEMA-ville by the beach, one of many such encampments that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has set up across the region ravaged by the Aug. 29 hurricane. In Hancock County, 3,456 trailers were occupied as of Monday, according to the county’s Emergency Operations Center.
With maybe 300 square feet, the trailer is a far cry from the two-bedroom, two-bath, 1,000-square-foot Bay St. Louis apartment the Jordans called home until Katrina tore half the roof off and sent water four feet up the walls of the second-story residence.
But the lack of space and privacy are really the only negative issues the couple will mention, well aware that other families are still waiting for trailers and grateful that Shane’s job as a rookie Bay St. Louis police officer jumped them to the head of the line.
This 30-foot travel trailer is home to Shane Jordan, his wife, Ivy, five kids and a dog. Click "Play" below the image to hear Shane and Ivy talk about their new lifestyle. (Jim Seida / MSNBC.com)
Shane and Ivy weren’t high school sweethearts. Had they been, they likely would have been voted “cutest couple.” Thin, tall and pretty, blue-eyed Ivy’s dark hair falls to the middle of her back. Clean-cut, compact and quiet, Shane looks every bit the U.S. Army Ranger that he was until June, serving in Iraq in the 509th Airborne, 1st Battalion, until June.
When it comes to the trailer, “the biggest difficulty is just storage,” Shane says.
Sleeping by day
Well, says Ivy, that and when “he tries to sleep during the day because he works at night …” Shane finishes her sentence: “The whole trailer rocks if anybody moves.”
But “the kids love it,” Ivy says. The couple have their own two sons, 6-month-old Taylor and 5-year-old Ryan, and they take care of their nephew Joel, 11. In addition, Shane’s kids from a previous marriage, Terrell, 6, and Katelyn, 8, are frequent members of the household.
“I don’t mind it,” Shane says. After all, “I just got back from Iraq.” Adds Ivy: “I don’t mind it either, as long as we can find somewhere to put our stuff.”
A lot of the overflow is sitting outside for now, some of it on a deck that Shane just finished building with salvaged fencing and pallets. “This will keep us out of the dirt.”
Inside, an eight-foot-square bedroom at the front of the trailer houses a queen-sized bed. The main living area, which features a pop-out section is probably 12 feet square and contains a couch, dinette and small but complete kitchen. A tiny hall leads to the bathroom with its mini shower and sink. A third 6-by-8-foot room in the back houses four bunks for the kids.
“I don’t cook very often in there because it’s so small you turn the stove on and it heats the place right up,” Ivy says. “So we use the microwave a lot and my husband cooks on the grill a lot. We eat a lot of Pop Tarts, cereal and sandwiches.”
Trailer is theirs for 18 months
The trailer is not much, but it’s theirs, at least for the next 18 months -- if they need it that long. It’s a good base from which to plot the future.
For Ivy, that’s a return to college to finish work on the associate degree in business that was interrupted with just five weeks to go by Katrina. For Shane, it’s settling into the rhythm of 12-hour shifts on the police force.
For the family, it’s a chance “instead of renting to buy, which we were trying to do anyway,” Shane says, maybe even build their own place. “Hopefully, some good will come out of it.”
Their financial situation is actually improving because there’s no rent to pay on the trailer, no utility bills, “all that stuff that was hard to handle because he’s a police officer just starting out, making $9 an hour,” Ivy says.
And “we’re young,” she says as Shane’s favorite country singer, Brad Paisley, launches into a tune in the background. “It’s easy for us to start over. We’ve got plenty of time.”
Bright spots in disaster zone
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Patty - Your dark statements reveal the nature of your heart (or lack thereof). As we can all see from your post about who is paying for the FEMA trailers for hurricane victims, it is very CLEAR that our prayers are not only needed for those of us affected by the recent hurricanes. May God help us all. Ivy and Shane, you are living testament to faith, hope, and inspiration. My best to you and your family. Patty - I pray you never have to face what we have all recently had to face. (Especially the widowed and elderly) You could not survive it. Hurricane Victim in Louisiana
Arlene, Delcambre LOUISIANA (Sent Feb 20, 2006 3:31:04 PM)
Lee, my husband and I are "poor" as you call it because he decided to aid in protecting the lives of others, most of them like yourself. We were not in subsidized housing before the storm, nor will we be after things rebuild. The one good thing about the storm is it left everyone equal as far as housing goes. NO ONE HAS A HOME... There are no classes here any longer. Not low, middle, or upper. We are not trying to change classes by using the goverment. We were busting our asses before the storm and continue to do so. Only more. My husband still works as a cop, and I work for a contractor of FEMA. We are not on welfare because I am busting my behind working 84 hours a week. I have a suggestion for you, Lee: You take your children and your wife, dogs, cats, fish, whatever it is that you have and sleep in your car for a week. Not long, just a week. Imagine there are no houses left standing where you are. No hotels, no rentals, nothing. You are temporarily unemployed because the building you worked in was torn to shreds. You're surviving off of one income for your whole family. Your bills are still coming, but you are still living off of one income. Your baby starts to go hungry. Your wife starts to go hungry. They are getting cold. So, you don't care about yourself. Just the welfare of your family. Good for you. But you're too noble to let the government help. You won't let them put you in free housing because you're too good for that. Okay, that's fine and dandy, but I love my family a little more than that. We will survive and we're doing everything we can to make sure it stays that way. To us, it's not about being too proud or worrying about what others think. I could care less. It's about protecting my family at any cost. Shouldn't our tax dollars at some point in time go to help the people that paid them in? You can dictate how they spend yours if you want, but we needed assistance. We are greatful for everything everyone has done. We have turned down a lot of things from people with kind hearts because I know there are people who are still unemployed or for some other reason need it more. I would like to personally thank everyone who has helped us and said a prayer for us. (Not you, Lee) It worked!
Ivy Jordan (Sent Feb 21, 2006 2:39:00 PM)
Good on ya Ivy, you said it all, and for anyone else that passes judgement before they really know what they are talking about, go to Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and live just like Ivy said, and then tell me you wouldnt ask for help.
Evalyn ( Mom) (Sent Feb 23, 2006 4:17:23 AM)
Ivy,
I am a single woman on Long Island, NY. I hear of so many "warnings" from insurance companies and weather predictions that Long Island is due for a very similar disaster such as what you and your family have experienced. When I read about the committment you and your husband have to the well-being of your family, I am filled with hope that I can be as strong if I'm ever faced with that similar tragedy. I agree, without hesitation, that even if the tax-payers have to kick in for some of the costs of this disaster, well, that may just be what happens in a time of natural disaster. I can justify that more than accepting having to pay for for countless people that just choose not to work and look for a hand out from the government. You and your husband should be looked on as a shining example of strength and comittment and shame on those people that have written , what I feel are pretty ignorant blogs, that would rather find something to complain about rather than see what you all are really having to face there! I will think of you and your husband's integrity everytime I feel the challenges of...well...just everyday NORMAL life because you truly are an inspiration!! May God's blessing be with you all.....
Kim Kreger (Sent Feb 23, 2006 8:22:11 PM)
Way to go kids, As a owner of a trucking company in Greenfield, In., I personally delivered the 1st FEMA TRUCKLOAD of MRE'S to Ponchatula La., then later, ICE to the Convention Center in New Orleans. I know first hand what destruction was brought to the gulf coast area...as a conservative republican I KNOW our government has waste, but let me tell you Patty, and Lee...THIS IS NOT WASTE!!! If we as AMERICANS cannot lend a hand to our fellow AMERICANS in need, then we are not worthy to call ourselves an AMERICAN. For decades our country has helped every nation in the world, and I for one have some concern about that, however, this happened here at "HOME" ...OUR FELLOW CITIZENS are the one's HURTING...MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON US ALL, if this is the prevailing attitude of our future generation's! I may not agree with the mentality of a goverment HAND OUT but dammit, what is wrong with a HAND UP...have you never heard: give a man a fish, he will eat for a day...teach a man to fish he will eat for a lifetime... I admire Shane Jordan and Ivy Jordan equally, he for his service to his country in both his military and civilian occupation,as well as being a DADDY to the children and a HUSBAND to his wife... she for being the MOMMY to the children and a WIFE to her husband,as well as working all she can to help the family financially! I'am sure they WILL make it because of who they are "HARD WORKING AMERICANS" who will prevail inspite of the sititation at hand...GOD BLESS YOU BOTH AND MAY HE CONTINUE TO BLESS AMERICA!!!
Lonnie Hobbs Greenfield,In (Sent Feb 25, 2006 11:13:56 AM)
I'm assuming that the trailer doesn't have air conditioning! My God, it must be like living in an oven now! I've seen all of the RV's and mobile homes parked in Hope,AR. I didn't see any AC units anywhere for those housing units either! I know its got to be miserable for everyone in these housing units. God richly bless you and your family, and everyone in these FEMA units.
Lori (Sent May 22, 2006 1:32:57 AM)
Shane, I know you are a good guy. Keep working hard and being the man that you are by taking of your family. Even if they are not all yours. I am a single mother of two children and do it all by myself, so I know how you felt when you and your family were trying to survive with your one income.
Lori (Sent Jul 4, 2006 7:16:02 PM)
First let me say a heartfelt "Thank You" to Shane and all members of our armed forces who protect our way of life. I, for one, feel that Ivy and Shane have every right to receive assistance from our government. As a taxpayer myself, I would hope that my government would help if I found myself and my family is such a devastating situation. Ivy and Shane are exactly the type of people that deserve the help. They are hardworking and doing everything they can to get back on their feet. God Bless you and your family Ivy and Shane - you make me proud to be American.
Julie - Nampa, Idaho (Sent Jul 24, 2006 8:08:24 PM)
For Shane and Ivy: It is wonderful to see a family struck by the hurricane disaster that is making the most of a bad situation. The best part of all is that you are trying to better your situation, not just lying around waiting for a handout. I sincerely believe that God blesses and helps those who help themselves. God bless you.
Natalie Schaeffer, New Llano, LA (Sent Jul 27, 2006 1:10:18 PM)
Natalie, my daughter Ivy and soninlaw Shane used to live in New Llano when he was stationed at Fort Polk before he went to Iraq, and before they moved back to Mississippi.
Evalyn (Sent Aug 12, 2006 6:51:30 AM)
I continue to pray for the survivors of Hurricane Katrina, those who remained close to home and those who left and cannot return, due to their raw emotions or have nothing to return to. These tragedies, like all Hurricanes, Tsunamis and other natural disasters, bring into sharp focus that we are all just fragile beings on this planet. We are truly more alike than we are different: we want to take care of our families, we want to be happy and successful and we wish the same for our children. It's imporant to remember that when you pass an instant judgement on others, you too may find yourself in a similar or much worse position. God bless us all. From the wife of a former soldier.
Melina, Batesburg, SC (Sent Aug 29, 2006 1:25:02 PM)
fema trailers are to be removed 18 months from their arrival on the property, or 18 months after their initial allotment?
donnalee dupaquier Metairie,La. (Sent Oct 26, 2006 12:32:11 AM)
hi where can i purchase a fema approved trailer ? i live in brooklyn new york . just curious id like to get one for property upstate .
robert denaro (Sent Feb 23, 2007 12:15:27 PM)
I live in New Orleans and have a job helping Hurricane Katrina victims. What people need to remember, these people who spent their entire lives collecting a little here and a little there...lost everything. It took them decades to collect furniture, appliances, clothing, toys, misc. household goods, etc...why do you think it should only take them two years to gain all of that back? The trailers are given also because some of these folks are still having to pay their mortgages on these houses they can't even live in. They need to get money up for rent, mortgages, security deposits, etc...things that they weren't prepared for. Everyone has to pay taxes...who cares what it goes to? You are going to have to do it regardless of what you agree with. And FEMA, they help out...it is necessary...without it, people would have a whole lot less then they have now. Come on people, put yourselves in this family and other families shoes. And Ivy, as a military spouse, mother, and New Orleans resident....you have my support...and this just comes natural to you...you are a military wife (the toughest job..) we have to be strong for our family. You two seem like the type of couple my husband and I would be hanging out with. Ya'll are awesome and your love speaks volumes! Make sure that you guys do talk to people since you guys have been through so much with Iraq and now Katrina....there are free counseling services available for military. Don't be too proud to ask for help and talk to someone, it doesn't make you weak....it makes you smart.
Jayme, New Orleans, LA (Sent Mar 9, 2007 5:10:38 PM)
I can't believe there are people who begrudge FEMA's help to people who have suffered the devastation of a flood or hurricane . . . I know, because I'm one of them. I'm living in a FEMA trailer in upstate NY. I worked hard for more than 30 years and bought a modest home--it had a two-year-old furnace and water heater that had to be replaced after the 2006 floods, not to mention walls needing to be torn out, new insulation, new wallboard, new floors, new furniture, etc. This wasn't a flood zone so I didn't have flood insurance--I'm wondering what these critics would do if they had no place to live and needed $30K or more to fix up their homes? Does it make more sense for the government to help us taxpayers and get us back on our feet, into our homes, and back to work, or to ignore these problems? I'm self-employed, so I lost my home office and computer, too. Thanks to FEMA I have a place to live and work while waiting to get back into my home, which thank God will happen soon (after almost a year in the trailer--adequate but pretty darned chilly in 7 degree temps this winter). All I can say is, I have total respect for people who live in one of these trailers with any other people, never mind three or four or five kids. And for people who haven't had such a disaster strike them, thank your lucky stars. I can't think of a better use for tax dollars than helping with disaster recovery, though.
Elizabeth Jewell, Sidney, NY (Sent Apr 11, 2007 5:28:07 PM)
Just to give everyone an update: Shane and I bought our first home... FINALLY! I am so thrilled. He is in Iraq once again, but contracting this time. I finished my first degree and I am halfway through my Bachelor's. It is on hold at the moment until my husband comes home. We are doing better than I had hoped for! I wanted to say thank you to everyone who has said prayers for our family! He was listening! Anyone that is interested in the rest of our progress, visit my MySpace page: www.myspace.com/ivyrae . It has updated photos of our family and our new home. Thank you again!
Ivy Jordan, Diamondhead, MS (Sent Aug 4, 2007 11:16:57 PM)
Ivy, I'm sooooo glad to hear that things are going so well with you! You deserve it. My son is now serving his second tour of Iraq, and I have recently lost my own home. My daughter and grandaughter live with me and we are staying on the floor of a VERY tiny home owned by my friend (her house is a 10 X 50 single wide mobile home. She was kind enough to allow us to have a roof over our heads. Honestly, I would KILL for a trailer like that!! LOL. Keep your chin up, and Shane will be home soon so you can finish school. Best wishes to you both. Thank you for serving our country both here and overseas.
Michelle, Geneva, FL (Sent Sep 10, 2007 2:22:36 PM)
I am so proud of you and Shane, you kept your chins up and worked very hard for what you have, I love and miss you. Mom
Evalyn,Sydney, Australia (Sent Dec 26, 2007 11:37:52 PM)
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