Pete and Betty Benvenutti watch the demolition of the 100-year-old front section of their house that was rendered unlivable by Hurricane Katrina. Click "play" to hear Betty and Pete describe the history of their house.
The house at 114 Felicity grew slowly over five generations, but it came down quickly. Pete and Betty Benvenutti, who lived there 41 years, are making plans to rebuild.
After surviving countless storms, including Camille in 1969 and unnamed monsters in 1915 and 1947, Katrina fatally wounded the 107-year-old structure with a wall of water that many have likened to a tsunami. Wrecking crews finished the job in a few quick hours this month, leaving just the shell of a back wing added by the couple in the 1960s.
"I have some real sad thoughts about tearing down this house," said Betty, 75, a proper Southern lady sitting in a lawn chair and enjoying a snack as she watched men in heavy machinery combing through the wreckage. "It was a very good house and a loving place for us to be."
Betty and Pete, 80, have deep roots in Bay St. Louis dating back more than 100 years and a clan of relatives including some of the area's most prominent citizens. The story of the Benvenuttis and their house speaks volumes about the past, present and future of the Mississippi Gulf coast.
The structure originally was a "camp house" built for so-called Bohemian workers in the nearby shrimp and oyster canneries, the same industry that attracted Pete's father to the region in 1900.
By the early 1960s, Pete and Betty were living with their seven children outside Washington, D.C., where Pete was holding down a desk job with the Marines after serving in Korea and World War II.
Suburban Virginia had "a lot of traffic, a lot of people." said Betty. "It’s just not my idea of where you raise children."
When Betty's father died, her mother used the life insurance money to buy the couple the two-bedroom house a quarter-mile from the beach, mainly because she liked the oak tree in back. Pete got himself transferred to New Orleans, and the couple ended up raising their own eight children (including one born in Bay St. Louis) and "15 million others" in the house, said Betty.
"We fed half the neighbor kids out of the garden," she said.
The house was far too small for the growing family, but the enterprising couple quickly discovered there was enough room in the attic to create a dormitory for the boys, and "sho 'nuff, the next day we started building the attic room," Pete said.
A few years later he added the 1,000-square-foot addition in the back with a sprawling family room and two small bedrooms.
By the time Katrina hit, the house and its one-acre plot were worth about $300,000 in a neighborhood that featured an increasing number of $500,000 homes and even some $1 million homes along the beachfront.
At 20 feet above sea level, the flood risk was considered minimal, and family members say they stayed put for every major storm except Camille, which caused only minor water damage.
Fortunately they did evacuate for Katrina, but only to nearby Waveland, figuring they would be safe at an elevated house north of the raised railroad tracks, which were considered a final barrier against any rising seawater.
Instead the Benvenuttis and 13 other people watched in horror as the street turned into a backwards-flowing river and water began rising in the house.
"When the chairs started floating, we all went up the stairwell," Betty said. "I will tell you one thing: We prayed and we prayed and we prayed, because the water was in the house and it kept rising. I never said the Lord’s prayer so many times in my life."
After Pete retired from the Marines, he had a second career as an office administrator at what he calls the "Cocola" Co. and founded Bay Motor Winding, a family business repairing electric motors and submersible pumps, a service in high demand since Katrina.
With his close-cropped silver hair, steel rim glasses and twinkling blue eyes, Pete is every inch the retired Marine master sergeant and "can work circles around you," said his son Chuck, an accountant who is county chairman of the Governor's Commission for Recovery, Rebuilding and Renewal.
Even as crews swarmed over the property with a trackhoe, a bulldozer and claw-like device called a knuckle boom, Pete was up and down a stepladder with a crowbar in his hand, ripping off loose paneling and generally staying busy.
Where an outside observer saw little left worth salvaging other than a concrete slab, Pete and Betty already are dreaming up plans for a new house extending from the shell of the surviving 1960s-era structure.
But insurance problems loom as a major issue. With no flood insurance, the Benvenuttis got only $30,000 for wind damage to their garage and another $26,000 for the home’s contents. Even if they qualify for the maximum $26,000 FEMA grant, that would leave them well short of the $200,000 they figure they need to rebuild.
"At 80 years old I'm not looking forward to a 30-year mortgage," Pete said.
Nevertheless, he paid some $4,000 to have his land cleared, and he and his wife are looking at design ideas for a new house. For now, they are living in a trailer at their youngest son's house a short ride away in Gulfport, enjoying unexpected quality time with two of their 13 grandchildren. Eventually they probably will move the trailer to their own land.
"We're still in a quandary about what we're going to do," Betty said, reflecting the uncertainties of timing and financing. With enormous piles of trash and debris everywhere along the coast, and dried muck caking all her possessions, "it's like you’re living in this terrible nightmare," she said.
Still, she said, "We feel very blessed, because we have good children."
Lucky this time
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To Bill-
You misunderstood- these people were 20 feet ABOVE sea level and this happened. This is alot of what happened in Miss.
Edie, Charlotte, NC but from Pass Christian (Sent Dec 1, 2005 8:57:22 AM)
The Benvenutti's house was 20 feet ABOVE sea level not below.
Edie, Charlotte, NC but from Pass Christian (Sent Dec 1, 2005 9:06:04 AM)
bill,
His house was 20 ABOVE sea level, not 28 feet below.
AS1, Ocean Springs, MS (Sent Dec 1, 2005 9:15:48 AM)
Words still fail when I think of the Gulf Coast & all that was lost. I've been sending a little $ every two weeks when I get paid to local organizations in the area. I make myself read whatever news there is - even tho my heart breaks again. I respect & admire the courage I know it must take to get through the day in the face of these changes.
Always in my thoughts (my son too)-
Never to be forgotten-
Joan - San Francisco Ca (Sent Dec 1, 2005 5:10:29 PM)
Mr. Johnson,
Do you have flood insurance?
Julie, Tucson, AZ (Sent Dec 2, 2005 1:36:31 PM)
To the Benvenuttis and other victims:
What, besides money, do you need right now? Would be glad to help. We live in Florida but have been blessed with a great house that is withstanding the hurricanes, including Charlie, whose "eye" went right past/over us.Contact Beacon of Hope on Pine Island (near Fort Myers) too for help. (jamdsansone@hotmail.com)
Ann Sansone, Bokeelia, FL (Sent Dec 2, 2005 11:23:55 PM)
Mr. Johnson,
I don't think you understand that we had about a 30 foot surge that came in about a quarter of a mile destryoying homes and businesses which also caused the bayous, rivers, and lakes to rise and flood...it was about 10 times beyond the normal flood stage and all this in 4 hours..I hope you understand now...also, if you don't live in a flood zone, you cannot buy flood insurance and why would you think you needed to buy it??!!..this is what happened to many, many people!!
K. LeBlanc, Gulfport, MS (Sent Dec 4, 2005 10:48:52 AM)
no place on the mississippi gulf coast is below sea level...is it?....where ya from bill?
andy,ms (Sent Dec 4, 2005 11:25:40 AM)
WE WISH TO THANK JOHN BRACHTER AND MARTY VOLK FOR THE ARTICLE ON OUR MISFORTUNE. THANKS TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO EXPRESSED WORDS OF SYMPATHY AND FOR ALL THE UPLIFTING MESSAGES OF HOPE. AND FOR THOSE WHO EXPLAINED THAT WE WERE 20 FT ABOVE SEA LEVEL AND WERE NOT IN A FLOOD ZONE. WE WILL REBUILD AND LIVE OUT OUR LIVES AT 114 FELICITY STREET, BAY ST LOUIS, MS. GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE IN OUR SAME SITUATION. BETTY AND PETE BENVENUTTI
PETER BENVENUTTI, BAY ST LOUIS, MS 39520 (Sent Dec 7, 2005 9:41:35 AM)
THIS IS NOT TO SOUND AS IF I DON'T FEEL FOR THE PEOPLE , HOWEVER IF YOU ARE 20 FT ABOVE SEA LEVEL IT WOULD SEEM THAT YOU COULD BUY FLOOD INSURANCE AT A BARGAIN PRICE,AND IN THAT LOCATION IT WOULD BE A GOOD BET. HOWEVER HAVING LOST ONE I KNOW THAT HIND SIGHT IS WONDERFULL.
jim fouts (Sent Dec 9, 2005 8:11:43 PM)
I feel for everyone that lost their homes and possessions due to Katrina. I pray for all of you and smile whenever I hear stories of rebuilding. please keep your hope alive and know that even though we are so far from you and this devastation this has touched many people. My prayers and thoughts are with you all during the holiday season and I wish you all the best. Keep hope alive; without which everything is lost.
Lorna Mitchell, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (Sent Dec 21, 2005 5:59:14 PM)
God bless your determination to rebuild your beloved home. I have wonderful childhood memories of time spent at my grandparents home in Summerville, SC. Their home was always filled with children from their street,family and friends. At Christmas all our family came to MaMaw and PaPaw's and on Christmas eve we filled the beds and slept on the floor (some 30 of us). Then at 5am PaPaw would set off one of the biggest fireworks he could find. That started our day of wonderment, good food and love. THAT IS WHY YOU REBUILD!!!!!! May all of the Gulf Coast continue to have the help and prays of all until you have your lives back to normal
Carolyn Inglett, Kingsprt, TN (Sent Dec 28, 2005 11:58:44 AM)
I grew up at 102 Felicity St. My grandfather built and lived at 127 Felicity St.; my aunt and uncle at 133, and another aunt at 202. I know the Benvenutti family, and when I say they are one of the hearts of the town, it is truly an understatement. So many ask "why rebuild in the same place"? Obviously, because it's home. Given the chance, I'd buy my grandfather's home, and it had 4 feet of water in it in Katrina. Why, because it's home. My love to everyone from the Bay. We've been down many times since Aug. 29, and we'll be back again. Hang in there, Mr. and Mrs. Benvenutti, you know the entire town loves you. Jamie Beasley (Jimmy Larroux's grand-daughter), now in Houston.
Jamie Beasley, Houston, TX (Sent Feb 19, 2006 7:21:35 PM)
Jamie,
I am an old frined of Jean and Hayden Larroux's - how is Ms. Toni doing?? I drive by her house almost daily on Felicity and pray she is doing well. I lost everything too and I just want to hug her! I loved her so much - you have a great family!!!!
Tina - Bay St Louis MS (Sent Feb 21, 2006 9:35:27 AM)
Mr. and Mrs. Benvenutti - It breaks my heart to see what you have had to watch your house be demolished. I grew up wtih MaryBeth and Patrick and even slept over in yoour home. I now live in Charleston SC, but my heart will always be with my hometown, Bay St. Louis and Waveland.
Lauri Newkirk - Paggi
Charleston, SC (Sent Feb 27, 2006 10:16:38 PM)
I have not seen first hand what all of you down there are going through. Although, I see it on the news all the time. It brings a tear to my eye everytime I see the distruction it caused to so many lives and homes. I live in the midwest and I have never seen what a Hurricane can do in person. I haved survived a Tornado and I know that they are very powerful, but nothing like a Hurricane. I am sorry that all of you people have had to go through this. I think that people who are not in your situation, should NOT make negative comments to you folks. You people have been through enough, without other people making it worse. I hope and pray that all of you down south can rebuild your lives and homes. You deserve it! And I pray that this never happens to any of you again. May God be with all of you and bless you to make it through your troublesome days. There is always light at the end of the tunnel, and some day all of you will see it. I hope it is sooner, rather than later though. I wish all of you the VERY BEST and hope that you have many more beautiful days down in those beautiful States that were hit by Hurricane Katrina. I hope some day I can come down there and meet you folks. Always stay positive and don't take today for granite. Once today is gone you can never have it back and no matter what -- there is always a BRIGHTER tomorrow. May God Bless all of you!
Cass Edwards, Altoona, Iowa (Sent Apr 13, 2006 12:00:08 PM)
To all of our good freinds along the Ms. Gulf coast we wish you the BEST of RECOVERY & GODS SPEED. You are all amazingly strong and tenaiouly determined people for which I have the highest respect. A special prayer to the Benvenutti family whom I had the pleasure of working with for seven years.
Butch Mack, Myrtle Creek, Or. (Sent May 5, 2006 3:00:12 PM)
To Mr Johnson who lives safely in ID. I live in Southern California and if you live within certain areas you cannot get fire insurance, which if you have seen the news is a very common occurence out here, we still have families that lost everything in the Cedar Fire, 3yrs ago who haven't finished rebuilding due to lack of money. So I am certain that anywhere in the gulf coast it is very hard to get flood insurance unless you want to pay more for insurance than you make in a year. So instead of sending useless comments you should consider your comments. When you are 80 try starting over.
I hope and Pray the gulf will get back to a sumwhat normal existence, You stay and live where you are at home.
AH in San Diego, CA
AH, San Diego, CA (Sent Jun 15, 2006 3:29:52 PM)
May God Bless the Great People of Mississippi as I lived there for 5 years in Long Beach and Pass Christian (1963 - 68) and left just prior to Camille. They are resilient people with a big heart and will be back. I now live on the east Coast of Florida and we were hit the last two years, but mild compared to the Mississippi Coast. I am only 7 feet above sea level, but do have flood insurance as well as homeowners. For those who may live in glass houses we have seen floods in many part of the country due to heavy rains, these are bad but try comparing them to a hurricane. Had I still been in MS when Camille came the building I lived in (Penthouse Apts) in Pass Christian was wiped out, rebuilt and it is gone again. God Bless and may people continue to help those in much need. Al, FL.
Al, Cocoa Beach, FL (Sent Jul 17, 2006 9:10:05 AM)
First of all, to the people who have nothing but criticism to offer, I hope that someone is saying a prayer for you! These people deserve hope and prayer not judgement,they've sufferred enough! Mr. and Mrs. Benvenutti, my heart,hope, love and prayers go out to you, your family and every other person who suffered the devastation of both Katrina and Rita. My parents, grandmother, aunts and uncles and cousins live in Lake Charles, LA and were hit hard by Rita. Why do you rebuild in the South? So that future generations can know the joy and love that fill a Southern home as newspapers are spread on the kitchen floor as laughing children shell buckets of shrimp while women fix huge dinners. So that neighbors can sit together on porches sharing iced tea and stories, so that there is never an empty chair at a table because someone is always "staying to supper", so that future generations can know the love, beauty, history and importance of family that is the heart of every home in the South! I wish you both good fortune, your home will find a way and it will be rebuilt so that it can once again be filled with the laughter of children, grandchildren and friends!
d.k. Willson, Bullhead City AZ (Sent Jul 18, 2006 12:05:38 PM)
My grandparents and great aunt lived in "The Bay" and every year since I was born, my family loaded up in the car and made our annual trip to visit. Not once did we ask "Can we go somewhere else?" We all hold SUCH fond memories of those trips and it tore us apart to see what Katrina did. My grandparents (The Ancaroni's) and my great aunt (Vera Brewer) lived on Citizen Street for years. My great aunt refused to leave for Camille and luckily, her home was spared (she lived on the "good" side of the tracks, which saved the house). My grandparents and great aunt have since passed, and I can't imagine them having to see Bay St. Louis today. It would be too much for them. I just got back from a trip to New Orleans for a family reunion and saw the devastation there as well. For those critics who say "why do people live there?"...the same can be said for all parts of the U.S...California has earthquakes, in the Midwest we are prone to tornados. Yet plenty of people live in those areas! Every area has its potential for disasters. But every area has its beauty and charm as well, and that is why people stay. God bless you people of Bay St. Louis and surrounding areas. We love you and are praying for you!
Denise Mordaunt, Chicago, IL (Sent Aug 2, 2006 7:51:19 PM)
Hey Aunt Betty and Uncle Pete,
We just wanted you to know that all of our hearts are going out to you guys. We love you and you're in our prayers. Good luck with the house.
Brook, Kathy, Sam, Mick, and Cruz Benvenutti (Sent Nov 9, 2006 10:30:42 PM)
Might I also add my warm and heart-felt sympathies to Mr. & Mrs. B - that's what my sister and I called Pete and Betty Benvenutti when we were growing up with their daughter MaryBeth and son Patrick. These are two people who opened their home and their hearts to everyone in the community of Bay St. Louis and beyond. Over the years and the miles I have lost touch with the Benvenutti family but there are no memories of my years growing up on the Gulf Coast that do not include their family. On many Sunday mornings I think back to my teen years and can still hear Mrs. B call upstairs to the Dorm (in later years when the boys grew up and moved out, the girls moved into the Dorm), "MaryBeth, girls time to get up for Church." We would reluctantly climb out of bed, get dressed and join the Benvenutti family for Sunday mass at the little Chapel. I will never forget I watched my first episode of Saturday Night Live in their family room. There were the New Year's Eve parties like no one else could put on but the Benvenutti family. So many happy memories I had in that house, with that family, in that wonderful town of Bay St Louis. I am originally from New Orleans which also suffered after Katrina blew through and it was sad to return and see the mess there. But when I went home to BSL Thanksgiving weekend 2005 and saw the devastation it truly broke my heart and I still cry when I think of all that was lost.
I still have a few friends that live in the area and no one that is not living through this crisis can understand what these people are going through still. One friend wrote to me just a few days ago and said these days when they go out they see with tunnel vision, they look past the debris still hanging from the trees, they look past the empty lots where their friends and family lived - they have to because one can only take so much of the looking close.
Mr. and Mrs. B, you and your entire family are in my prayers and in my thoughts and I know that one day soon the sound of loving voices and the shouts of happy children (albeit grand- and I would venture to say great-grandchildren's voices) will once again be echoing through the rooms and the yard at 114 Felicity Street. God Bless you all.
Warmly,
Michelle (Soulie') Lennon, Norfolk, VA (Sent Nov 11, 2006 12:35:04 PM)
Betty and Pete, my heart goes out to you. Although I am on dry land now, I was stationed 7 yrs in Ft Walton Beach, FL and retired from the USAF at Keesler AFB in Biloxi and loved it there. I can easily understand why people live on the Gulf Coast; the water and beach are beautiful, the live oaks glorious, the casinos exciting and the neighbors great. I lived on a bayou in a leased house in D'Iberville and owned a house in Ocean Springs-both washed out now. I rode out Hurricane Georges in 98 and felt that was scary enough. All you Gulf Coasters rebuild strong and deep!! I'll be back with grandkids.
Kenneth Wainner , Col, USAF (ret), Edmond, Ok (Sent Jan 17, 2007 1:08:53 PM)
Dear Benvenutti Family,
I have fond memories of you. My grandparents were Harry and Retta Wardell. I have kept you and your family in my prayers since I knew Katrina was on its way. I am so glad to hear your family is safe. Can you tell me if Mama Retta's house is still standing? God Bless, Rebecca Norton Helm
Rebecca Norton Helm, Mabelvale, Arkansas (Sent Feb 25, 2007 3:52:59 PM)
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