BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. -- It's been six months now since Hurricane Katrina conjured wind and wave and hurled them against the Gulf Coast with such fury that the landscape still resembles the aftermath of a carpet bombing campaign.
Twisted pieces of metal, some of them huge broad sheets, still hang from hundreds of trees. And the cozy avenues of broad, shady, ancient oak trees, stripped clean by Katrina's winds, still carry in their branches the memories of the homes that once around them.
Half past Katrina's apocalypse, 50 percent of the debris -- more than 3.5 million cubic tons -- has been removed from public right of ways, according to Hancock County officials. But that fact does little to allay the feeling among townspeople in Bay St. Louis and Waveland that they have years of hard recovery ahead of them.
While the land is wounded, the infrastructure is returning. Residents notice that the water coming from the tap doesn't look so brown these days, and their toilet bowls no longer resemble small, brackish ponds. You can actually drink the water without gagging and wondering at its curious smell.
Frustrations with FEMA, insurance companies and the Army Corps of Engineers are still the main topic of conversation at nearly any public gathering.
Bright spots
There are some bright spots. A recent population survey indicates the populations of Bay St. Louis and Waveland are both 76 percent of their pre-storm levels of 8,209 and 6,674, respectively, much higher than previously thought. Those figures include not just former residents, but construction workers and the transient population as well. That's a lot of "paying customers," as Chamber of Commerce President Tish Williams puts it, and paying customers are what will eventually lure businesses back to the area.
Though not many restaurants have opened, when a new one does, it is immediately swamped. At a recently opened Wendy's, it is not uncommon to have to wait up to 45 minutes in the drive-through line. The only open Waffle House draws standing-room-only breakfast crowds, and rumors that a second Waffle House will shortly open are a hot topic of conversation.
Other businesses continue to reopen at a steady trickle, but people are confused and angry at the mysterious economic forces that allow a business like the Tiki Tanning salon to announce it will be “opening soon,” while the only real grocery store for 30 miles in either direction is tucked into a corner of the local Wal-Mart, a store that has throbbed with activity and growth in the post-Katrina months.
At least residents now have some semblance of a choice when it comes to buying food: a farmers' market supplying fresh fruit and produce trucked in from out of state.
For all her devastation, Katrina could not stop two other forces that simply refuse to be denied: death and taxes.
Cemeteries have come back to life as people resume tending grave sites, switching out old flowers for new. In a time where so many aspects of life are uncertain and unknown, people seem to find comfort in the finality of death and burial.
The tax man cometh
And the tax man cometh, regardless of the hurricane. You may be living in a FEMA trailer next to a debris pile, but your taxes are coming due just as sure as the sunrise. However, for Katrina victims, that day comes in August this year instead of on April 15.
Tradition, like the people themselves, also refuses to surrender. And so the Bay-Waveland Mardi Gras Parade celebrated its 40th consecutive year. The scaled-down event didn't detract from parade-goers' spirits, as thousands lined the streets. For a just a while, the brutal reality of Katrina was pushed aside in favor of bangles, brightly colored beads and copious amounts of cold beer.
At the height of the pre-parade festivities, one reveler climbed up on the tailgate of his Chevy pickup, hoisted a champagne flute and yelled to no one in particular: "What disaster!?"
That type of attitude seems to prevail now. People meeting on the street or in a store routinely encourage one another to stop feeling like victims, stop waiting for state or federal help and "get on with our recovery." Judging by the pace so far, it's a refrain the residents of the Gulf Coast are likely to sing for years to come.
Mass' appeal aids healing 
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Good title: "Half past apolcalypse." I think it helps for people far away to understand that this was a storm of apocalyptic size and power. This was not your normal tornado, storm surge, or storm winds, and it will not be the normal "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" recovery either. How wonderful to hear of so many signs of renewal and always to hear that people are encouraging each other. To survive is no simple and easy thing...and the coast is full of survivors...not victims...Let them take time out to laugh and enjoy life "laissez le bons temps roulles..." it's good for the spirit and for the whole community. God bless you all and guide you!
Laurie, CO (Sent Feb 27, 2006 5:27:51 PM)
i think it is very nice that the people of the area can enjoy themselves after katrina. are the animals who are now in shelters getting some of this fun also?or atleast an extra meal for the celebration?
rose passy (Sent Feb 27, 2006 6:25:54 PM)
I believe that the people of the Katrina affected (I, unfortunately, am one) need to feel normal and happy, even if it's just for a while. I would like to point out that Washington Parish Louisiana has been largely over-looked. We in Washington Parish were not hit nearly as bad as the Gulf Coast, but were one of the hard hit areas. Washington Parish is mostly timberland. It breaks my heart to see that the forests are no longer in a marketable condition. So, the logging companies are cutting down all of the trees. It's depressing to see acre after acre with noting but tree stubs sticking out of the ground. I feel that I will not in my life time see an undamaged landscape. Eden, Washington Parish
Eden Boudreaux, Washington Parish Louisiana (Sent Feb 28, 2006 7:54:38 AM)
I so admire the strength and courage that I see and read about, all these devestated people being so strong and holding their heads high and being able to still share a part of their past with us.
What really amazes me is their ability NOT to be bitter; but to just keep focused ahead.
I don't think I could be that strong.
I have a new-found respect for ALL New Orleaners'.
Vicki, Ludington, mi (Sent Feb 28, 2006 11:09:05 AM)
Vicki - We are not from New Orleans, Louisiana. We are from MISSISSIPPI. They are two totally different places with two totally different outlooks on the way things are these days!
Lori - MS Gulf Coast (Sent Feb 28, 2006 3:27:54 PM)
What makes me still ill to this day is that the very government of this country could care less about these people. It should not take 6 months, to clean up, to get a semblance of life back, to feel safe in your own home. Stop spending money on this ridiculous, war (vietnam II) and help the people in this country to live their lives, re instate their lives and be educated. Sigh..
Miranda Vargas (Sent Feb 28, 2006 4:37:56 PM)
Lori,
sorry; I guess I'm REALLY trying to say how much I admire ALL of you who went through the devistation of Katrina!!! Send me an e-mail, I am very interested in the "difference" you mentioned.
vicki
vicki shalosky, Ludington, MI (Sent Feb 28, 2006 7:16:41 PM)
I so agree with Miranda, also ALL the money being used to fund "space exploration" when we have so many people RIGHT HERE who need help and assistance !!!!!!
vicki, Ludington, mi (Sent Feb 28, 2006 7:31:07 PM)
Everybody wants help in their own area right now. Just how do you do it all at one time, in such a large area of needs? We all like to please everbody at one time, but it is just not humanly possible to please everybody, everywhere, all the time, and at all the same instant of time.
mike warta mccomb, miss. (Sent Feb 28, 2006 8:42:47 PM)
It is one of the unfortunate disasters in life that makes such an impact to our culture. If our western society were as we pronounce to the rest of the world so humanitarian, why do those in our country suffer as such?
R. Marquis, Harwood Hgts. IL (Sent Mar 1, 2006 12:16:58 AM)
Do you americans believe, that this was the last hurricane season :D lought out loud. The hurricane season of 2006 is going to be as hvy as the 2005's. So it's useless to build a city up again if your city is under the sea level and sinking even deeper. You should clean it up and allow the nature do the rest turning it back to swampy area :D
Max (Sent Mar 1, 2006 4:46:14 AM)
It sure would be nice if OUR government started taking care of OUR people right HERE in the USA. I'm all for helping out all the humans around the world who are in need of assistance, but NOT at the expense of all our own citizens who are suffering. We need to take care of our own, nurture what we have right here in the USA so we have a future generation that is willing to continue to help out the rest of the world when another disaster strikes, and it will. It always does. Just like death and taxes, it happens. We Americans need to continue to remind our leaders that our own citizens are without hearth and home right now, in MANY areas of the south that was hit by Katrina and Rita. We need to help re-establish their lives and THEN we can go out into the world and lend a hand to others. My heart breaks for all you lovely people that have HAD to be tough and find your way through this all. God bless you ALL.
jake,austin,texas (Sent Mar 1, 2006 8:27:43 AM)
"Half past Katrina's apocalypse, 50 percent of the debris -- more than 3.5 million cubic tons" -- What is a cubic ton?
Jared, Houston, TX (Sent Mar 1, 2006 9:50:28 AM)
I got home late last night from my first trip to the Mississippi Gulf coast since Katrina. I can't put into words how overwhelmed it made me feel and I can't even imagine how the hurricane victims feel. All the rubble, trash, dead trees, trashed ocean, junk cars, etc. (I could go on and on). To see the destruction in person is totally different than seeing it on the web or on TV and my eyes couldn't convince my logical thinking that it's been 6 months since Katrina hit. It literally looks worse than pictures I'd seen of Hiroshima...literally. Imagine a stretch of over 27 miles (get in your car and drive for 27 miles to gauge the actual distance) of mountainous waves crashing into people's homes and businesses and even then you can't imagine the look of the scenery. The Mississippi Gulf Coast recovery should be first and foremost on our government's list of "things to do"...as an American citizen, I am appalled at how long it's taking to clean up the mess left behind; it enrages me. Our brothers and sisters need help - our help - and it hurts to see them living in campers (that are built for recreation to begin with, not as living quarters) and tents and yes, even vehicles. There are still Red Cross Relief Centers set up for people to go to receive food and water...I saw them with my own eyes. I'm on a crusade to spread the word that action needs to be taken NOW, YESTERDAY!!!! God bless and keep you all.
Stacey, Indianapolis (Sent Mar 1, 2006 10:38:53 AM)
It was refreshing to read an update on Katrina without it being about New Orleans. As a regular visitor to the Mississippi Gulf Coast for the last 30 years, it was good to hear that that Mardi Gras was celebrated in Bay St. Louis and Waveland this year. With all the attention on the party in NO, the "outside world" wouldn't know about the Mardi Gras traditions all along the LA-MS-AL coast.
Tim Drake, Rochester New Hampshire (Sent Mar 1, 2006 11:37:40 AM)
i grew up in alexandria louisiana in the 40s and 50s...almost every summer, we drove the few hundred miles to the gulf coast for vacation.. and of course, went right through bay st. louis...i cannot imagine what all of you who are there, have gone through and are still enduring...to me, it was a beautiful place, warm, sunny, sand, water, beautiful homes....my memories of the blessing of the shrimp fleet are pretty vivid....i cannot imagine what it all must look like now...god bless you all...my heart is with you
Judith Boudreaux, Pueblo, Coloraod (Sent Mar 1, 2006 12:18:15 PM)
To the poster who suggested abandoning New Orleans: how many of our cities are on fault lines, or near volcano's, or on floodplains? Heck, you can't farm half this country without powered irrigation. Life is fragile. Would you suggest that people abandon L.A. or San Francisco because of that? The only response is to do what people in New Orleans are doing: rebuild, and rebuild better than before.
Jimbo, Cleveland, OH (Sent Mar 1, 2006 1:21:20 PM)
Im one of the displaced from Katrina. And I want to thank each of you who have extended your best wishes and at least tried to have a sense of understanding of what so many of us went through. My family and I were so overwhelmed by the gracious giving of others and we are witness to how God can work through tragedy by people you never knew were around. Because when I look back so many years from now and remember, it will be the generosity and love that came out of that nightmare called "Katrina".
Maria, Richmond, VA (Sent Mar 1, 2006 2:34:23 PM)
So nice to read a story that does not focus on New Orleans. The media seems to have forgotten the people to the east and to the west that have lost as much (and more for those south of NO who's homes and land will forever remain under water) as the ones in NO. I have been gone from the SE Louisiana coast for many years. Most of the places I knew growing up are gone, wiped away. Holly Beach is gone. Johnson's Bayou was pretty much wiped out, but there are people returning and they have started school again in portable buildings (not furnished by any federal agency, I understand). Cameron's courthouse is open again, but homes and businesses will be a long time coming. The largest land area parish in Louisiana with several Wildlife Refuges and the fewest people suddenly has the fewest homes ever - even Audrey did not do this much damage.
My mother described the homes and businesses in Hackberry that are gone, re-opened or with blue-top roofs waiting for repair. And the Catholic Church will be re-built - they are already working on the roof to close it in before they start the interior.
Many people have nothing to go back to and will re-locate - they need jobs to feed their families and a place where their kids feel safe. But so many more are working to re-claim what has been lost. What will never be lost is the indomitable spirit that was shown when they KNEW they had to leave well before Rita hit and carried their elderly or auto-less neighbors with them. The spirit that had them braving the roadblocks and using boats across the marsh to check on the cattle and the homes they had lived in all their lives. The spirit that brought them back to help their neighbors clean up and re-build. The same spirit obvious to the writers of this article that shows through in Bay St. Louis and Waveland. People helping people and defying the label of victim. They are survivors and re-builders and make no mistake about it, the re-building will continue. With or without Govt help. Remember all these people along the Gulf Coast when you think you have it bad when your cable goes out or your battery dies. And if you remember, say a prayer and then go and do someone else a good turn.
PBW - Kansas City (Sent Mar 1, 2006 3:56:45 PM)
Have you seen the Katrina disaster area? No matter what we think of our Government, there's not enough manpower in the entire U.S. to clean up "Katrina" in less than a year or two while maintaining necessary business elsewhere. Makes me wonder if we would now have the necessary manpower had 30,000,000+ babies aborted during the last 32 years been allowed to survive and grow!?
Gregory, Holland, Michigan (Sent Mar 1, 2006 4:08:33 PM)
my goodness i never thought it was that bad I really want to wish everyone good luck in the future and to those who lost a loved one I'm very sorry for your loss I hope everyone who watches this video notices how very much they need our help.And if this video dosn't hit a soft spot in your heart you are very cold hearted and I don't now if my 3rd cousin was in it but I really hope she wasn't
Sherly, Hamburger Lacombe, Alberta (Sent Mar 1, 2006 5:46:34 PM)
In response to Max's entry, while its true that there will obviously be more hurricane seasons, your comment was probably the most insensitive, ignorant thing i've ever heard, Since New Orleans has survived over 200 hurricane seasons,it can obviously survive another,once proper levees are made. And by the way, good idea not listing your country's name, as they would probably be ashamed of having you as a citizen.
P.S. Its spelled laugh, not "lought"
P.P.S. Thanks for your insensitive comments " :D " they were really supportive of the great historic city of New Orleans, which is richer in culture, and music, than just about any city in the world, especially yours.
Conor McHenry, New Orleans (Sent Mar 1, 2006 6:18:49 PM)
Regarding the comment that we can't please everyone all the time: sorry, but disaster recovery is not about merely "pleasing" all of our citizens--it is about providing absolutely essential services and accommodations--safe homes, utilities, reopened hospitals and schools and neighborhood shops. There is NOTHING on our national agenda more important than getting this done NOW.
David, Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Mar 1, 2006 6:51:28 PM)
I am a Canadian living on Vancouver Island, and have nothing but empathy for the people devastated by the storms. I have to ask myself when is enough enough with you your President. You people deserve better!!! no questions, I was once asked whom I respected in politically. My answer without hesitation was Bill Clinton. Then I was asked why, that answer was easy because in recent times I have never seen anyone so engaged in the Middle East Peace plan, in my opinion it is where most of the WORLDS problems eminate from, who cares about his sex life. You deserve better and I only wish there was more we as Canadians could do to help.
Phil N Campbell River (Sent Mar 1, 2006 8:03:41 PM)
I also was displace by Katrina and now reside in Washington State. I cannot begin to tell you how wonderful EVERYONE has been. The Gulf Coast was my home for 18 years and I sorely miss being there.
No thank you would every begin to express how much the support and compassion of the citizens of the US has meant to all of us. Yes, it's slow rebuilding, but with continued faith and support - we ALL will overcome this obstacle.
Debbie, Seattle, WA (Sent Mar 1, 2006 8:05:02 PM)
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