I feel the people of Bay St. Louis are very thankful to the Calvary Chapel's that have contributed. Creating Camp Hope, feeding hundreds three meals a day. Even providing Christmas dinner and gifts for the Children. We should all feel responsible to help.

i would'nt worry much about sewage....the other things are what scares me....before you really only had to look for jellyfish...an ocasional shark...i can deal with those....but the metal, glass and objects of unknown discription...worry me...don't go in without shoes for sure

What is not noted is that wounds from this type of debris is more likely to become infected or require a tetnus booster. Decay and rusting will break this type of debris down making it even worse. If walking on the sand requires shoes, I would not let my kids in the water without shoes at the very least!

If you are going in, be sure your tetnus shot is up to date.

Environmental Disaters up and down the entire Gulf cCoast is what we have. Human infrastructure does not belong so close to the coast. Our entire ecosystem would be better off if we retreated inland a mile. What's a mile? Oh I forgot, we want all the conveniences of A/C, running water, and a regridgerator EVERYWHERE we go. The wussification of America has already happened. As a world travelled 5th generation on both sides of my family I am firmly convinced Americans are STUPID when it comes to lifestyle and how to live with the natural world.

It will probably take years for all the debris to be found ... if ever. What with the tides during the storm and regular tides since there will probably be items washing up on the islands or on shore in 2025. I will probably wear at least diving booties from now on.

I can't believe the local community is so ignorant as to still allow the beaches to be open with these known issues. Clearly they have failed in their public safety responsibility and should be removed from office immediately and tried on endangerment charges.

I agree with part of what Dan said - we live in stupid places. We put houses on cliffs with poles in earthquake zones??? We build houses on the beach then cry when Mother Nature takes them away. Not immune to idiots here in WV. They put houses at the bottom of ravines near a creek and wonder why they flood every year. MOVE BACK - from the rivers, the ocean - the Indians were smart enough to know not to live where the ground "shakes" or to put their teepee next to a raging creek or one that might soon be raging. Dan is right we are dumb. They gripe cause the animals are running out of space - move back from the rivers - no more flooding and the animals have a free space next to the water they need. Make sense? Of course it does - its why we won't do it too.

One of the most wonderful things about living in the Bay/Waveland area is that much of life, particularly for the young, revolves around the water. Swimming in it, sailing in it, fishing in it, walking the beach and learning about all the amazing creatures that lurk beneath the dark surface and sometimes wash up on the beach. That water lulled me to sleep at night and amazed me on two a.m. shrimping outings with the dance of phosphorescence glowing in the murky depths. One real loss for the children is that now many of these staples of childhood are considered "unsafe."

I have to say: I find it really offensive when people imply that coastal inhabitants are stupid. They have lived in this area for sometimes 6 or more generations. Many of them are descended from the original French settlers. They know how to hunt, fish, follow the tides and the nuances of the wind and weather, in ways that are almost genetic. The thing is, this storm was bigger and fiercer than anything the area has ever experienced. It destroyed centuries old homes. It took out the old French Customs office, that had perched off the beach since before the coast became U.S. territory. What difference is a mile? Well. It's historic areas, the whole downtown, one of the oldest churches in the state, several historic schools and ironicly, a mile would take you away from the highest elevations, and into the lower ones, in some spots. I don't know how the recovery 100 years from now, will look. Nobody does. But even if you were miles from the beach, this storm put you under water. I guess I wish people would just let the folks who live there, figure out how they are going to handle the issue. It would be like a New York stock broker telling a farmer how to prepare and plant his fields. Just plain silly. I have great faith and respect for these people. They'll figure it out and do what's best in the potentially rocky years to come. We all have to.

I wouldn’t want to go in the water at all. All of that debris is extremely dangerous. Even with swimming shoes, flip flops, or “thin” shoes, a fork could cause serious damage to your feet. I’m not sure if they do, but the least the county could do is put up signs warning people.

junk in the water is always an issue, though more of an issue now after Katrina. I don't think one is totally safe swimming anytime. I'd wear shoes every time entering the water.

Wussification of America? What's a mile? I live in gulf Breeze, FL and if you were to shutdown Pensacola beach, that would basically shut this community down. It's not just the coastal development or the americans to blame, it is all HUMANS.
Stupidly put:
Humans = Pollution = Global Warming = More Extreme Weather = Bigger Hurricanes.
We haven't seen the worst of anything ...yet.

Some people need to look inward (or, in this case, at their own posting) before calling others "STUPID." I know of very few countries (actually, I know of none, but there very well may be a couple) with a coastline that do not have densely populated areas very near the water. I don't believe all people in all of these countries would merit such a comment. Your fellow (but realistic) environmental pal... And .. yes, protective clothing should be a 'must.' If you can see more than three feet in the Gulf coast water, at least the debris may be fun to look at for snorkelers...

I agree with the gentleman from Texas who stated that Americans are stupid when it comes to lifestyle and respect for the natural environment. If Americans want to live ugly and fat, then our beaches and oceans will be ugly with trash and other forms of debris. By the way, I would never let my kids swim in Louisiana (my home state) or Mississippi before the storm. These two states have deplorable environmental/water quality records. Litter is a way of life down here. The water and beaches were always nasty with litter everywhere. Alabama gets better and Florida is nice. And that's not just after a hurricane!!

I have to agree with Dan's assesment of Americans and our NEED for convenience and comfort; it has to end. I am surprised that my kids wagons & bikes don't come with an A/C option. I would not want to wade out into the gulf and have MY foot pierced by debris. The rebuild effort can include some SMARTER & GREENER ways to do things, but people have to want to change and rebuke the status quo. As an ex-military member I am concerned over Americans acceptance of comfort over functionality, as Dan I too am well traveled and see how much we can learn from Asia and Europe when it comes to "Greener" comfort. Thanks for reading.

People in glass homes or boat shouldn't throw stones. You will never know until you are in these people's situations. Everything takes time. At least the coastlines debris is attributed to the hurricane etal, what about the countries and states who have no excuses? Try to be kind to one another. Its time for everyone to relax a little and if you can't say something nice, don't bother saying anything at all. Better yet, if you have so much time and energy to complain, why not go down there and volunteer.

I'm glad Dan and Sean are well traveled. However,
anyone telling us that we should emulate
European standards of environmental health should
take a swim in the canals of Venice or a deep
swig of water from the River Volga.

Maybe Dan should have spread his message to those in Indonesia so they wouldn't have been wiped out by a tsunami -- oh, I forgot: it's just Americans who are stupid.

The waters in Alabama are becomming much better since the clean up efforts have been not just by the government here but by locals picking up stuff off the beaches and getting them much nicer looking. There is going to be things that will come up from tidal washes, tides from other storms, or even wind erosion. People have always had to be careful on beaches due to many things, we just have to be more careful now because we will have metal and glass in the water that can either cut us really bad or puncture our feet, legs, etc and cause major dammage. I am sure that one day it will be better, but as of right now, there are a few beaches I don't mind getting in the water with even seeing the dammage it caused around the area I swim in. Down Fort Morgan road is a nice beach that has clear water and very nice beaches and you can see where you are stepping. The only thing you might not be able to see is glass.. so just be careful of that. As for other areas of the Gulf Coast...well, lets just say.. ewwww...

Keith, The Bay is a dark brackish water, because it is both spring/river fed with fresh water and also mingled with the salty waters of the Gulf of Mexico. It is naturally dark, and unfortunately, you can not look three feet down and see the bottom, debris or not. That's just the way it is. I'd be willing to bet that it was just like this hundreds of years ago when Iberville and his crew were exploring the coast. While it's a large bay, it's also shallow. There is probably dissolved soil washed down from the marshes in the water, making it not quite a clear blue like you may see other places. In the years I lived in the Bay, I would never have described the water or beach as nasty with litter everywhere. Sure there were fish kills that washed up that were nasty, and you did get a sense that your fortunes were related to the fortunes of the world, when you looked at what washed up. But it was treated with respect as a resource, for the most part. Have you ever been to the Bay?

I would think twice, before I even thought about going in the water, or digging anywhere on land.
You know how the government hides things from us; (lies) then years later - say oh yeah -by the way this memo was just found that noted the problem...
We all know how ""ALL"" of the OFFICALS handled KATRIA IN THE FIRST PLACE. In addition, the clean up...
I would not believe the water or land was safe.

Hello-- Gas, oil, and antifreeze leaking from all the cars in the floods for days.
All the toxins, poisons, chemicals, the kitchen cleaners, industrial cleaners—
Let alone the dead bodies of humans and animals that floated around and still are being found...

Human and animal waste – what did kind of diseases could they have had before Katrina?
"AIDES - HIV-TB- Hepatices, ECT... MAD COW, Bird flu, RABIES….
Everyone so often a body is still found...

They talk bird flu --I think they are secretly getting ready for a sickness born from Katrina, and their lack of handling the problems.
Moreover, getting people back on line with proper water and sanitary conditions...

DO YOU REALLY TRUST the OFFICALS?????

When I lived there in 2002 the water was nasty. There hadn't been a hurricane then. Honestly I wouldn't think of being stupid enough as to go in that water right now. You never know what is in there and with the amount of stuff ruined in the huricane, there is probably anything you can imagine in there. As far as the officials not closing the beaches, they are stupid for that because they are the ones that need to look out for the ignorant people that don't pay attention to dangers such as these. Also, there should be a disclaimer put up for right now so that city officials can't be charged with neglagence if one of the uninformed beachgoers hurts themself because they didn't heed warnings.

I just returned from Pensacola, Florida on a vacation with my family. There was very little debris on the beaches or in the water ... mostly shells from the beach restoration efforts. I only found one broken bottle, more than likely from the beach party the night before rather than the hurricanes. No hesitation to let my 11-year old son frolic in the water.

We can all learn to live greener and more closely with the environment. All Americans need to help in getting the resources to the Gulf States to keep our beaches and estuaries pristeen. This area is like the liver and kidneys to the Northern Continent. Think about it. Without the filtration system of the Gulf to the Everglades and all the swamps in between, all our poison will pile up and kill us. The Earth is alive!

It is sinful how politics in our great country have prevented the poor folks throughout the affected regions from achieving so much more in their noble efforts to rebuild -- and indeed fortify -- their homes, their lives. I tried like hell to enlist many that I know with the means to support rebuilding efforts, only to have one door after another slammed in my face. The effort nearly cost me everything, and so as part of my own personal recovery from tragedy, I had to walk away. I still check in here from time to time, though. I think MSNBC's "Rising from the Ruin" ongoing series is just outstanding, keeping at least some part of our national conscience focused on the daunting list of issues still to be addressed. That's not an easy job when you consider that human nature compells us all to recogmize our own individual breaking points. When we all have to face our own limits. When enough is enough and human nature tells us to look away.

Though checking-up on daily efforts for me now is something I do infrequently (doctors orders, and those orders make sense), I want all of you struggling to rebuild to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers every moment of every day. (Ask anyone living or working in the affected areas and they will all tell you the same thing: without question, the most effective organizations that responded and in many cases have stayed involved: the "church groups". Yes, I do believe in the great power of prayer.)

I'm only one man, and I have no dilusions or skewed perception of my own significance in the collective. I merely make the statement above because I believe that their are many in this world like me, stressed to the breaking point by world events (both man made and of nature) who still very much want to help, if only they had the means to do so.

I take comfort in seeing that there is some instituional relief efforts underway, with the added bonus that these organizations -- ie the Saudi Government's ARAMCO, Home Depot, etc -- have the means and apparently the committed intent to stay the course. God bless them all, we sure need their help. I won't ever (again) give up hope, and I'll pray every day that our societal leaders from all sides of the aisle and idealogies will find the inspiration to take-on this one ominous issue -- rebuilding and more importantly dramatically upgrading vital infrastructure defenses from future devastating storms.

There is no simple answer. There are poor choices made daily, by both communities at large and by those who represent those communities. Some say we're too far gone. I say, change begins on an individual level. If each of us took stock of how we contribute both positively and negatively to this world, and if each of us was truly willing to make the world around us more of a priority by making better choices, we'd obviously be better off. There is a gentle balance that can exist between personal need and global need. Ask yourself who is reading and/or adding to this blog and I'll bet you'll find that we're all good people who care deeply about this world - in our own way. It's those that may not stop to read about these issues...those who immerse themselves in their own needs..those who simply give all their energy and time to personal needs while ignoring global needs...those are the folks who are missing from this discussion. Their numbers are large...immeasurable. How do we encourage them to 'step up to the plate' and give a darn? Communication. Every chance I get, I try to communicate with those around me who might be interested. If they hear it from someone else, they may decide it's important enough to give some time to. That's what we can do. We can do our very best, teach our children to do theirs and try to reach those who live a self-absorbed existence by talking about issues and leading by example. There will always be people who really don't care. There will always be issues that tear at our hearts...and there will always be multiple ways of addressing them. The hope I have is that there will be more people INTERESTED in addressing them. Perhaps at that time, solutions won't seem so far away.

Now, really... what local from the Bay goes barefoot in the water...EVER? (Except for maybe while skiing/tubing!)

Wussification of America? And you think no one else in the world lives near the coast? People will live anywhere it's possible to live. Just look at the desert and the arctic. I don't think Americans are too dependent on comfort items, but we do need to work on being able to coexist with mother nature better.

One recurring theme in all of these messages is the simple fact that no one wants to take responsibility for this fragile planet. The buck keeps getting passed. Even those who live in environmentally sensitive places are at loggerheads on what to do. Quite frankly, standing in the middle of the road on the issue of retreating from locations subject to wild swings of mother nature will get everyone trashed again and again (beside getting run over by traffic from both directions). Someone has to take a stand whether it be the federal government or state government. Just do it!!!

We used to live in San Francisco, and now we live in "green" Switzerland, where unlike Americans, almost no one had A/C's running in summer. Artificial cooling systems were practically illegal...until the first bad heatwave hit (remember thousands of elderly dying in France from the heatwave?). Well, many green neighbors installed A/C systems and they're much more common now. So Europe is only so green. Besides Europe has gone through centuries of overcrowding, overhunting, deforestation, etc., to figure out they had to be green. So it's not stupidity per se, but our "young" vibrant nation still working things out, and unfortunately, also paying the price.

I would have never even considered these effects without reading this story. Which makes me wonder if these same things happened when that awful tsunami hit off the coast of Indonesia a few years ago?

Based on Dylan's chart, pollution causes worse weather. Maybe America should relieve it's dependence on oil and start looking for other cleaner ways to get energy. Many of the open fields in Kansas and other plain states could develop their land to wind mills creaating much power in the center of America.
Also many of the polluted, unused coastlines could be developed for wave power. Especially the coastlines of cities could use wave power to reduce emissions. Many people say that the new ethenol(corn) fuel uses too much fossil fuels to be developed to be worth it, but with this free, clean power we could make the ethenol fuel and make it worth it.
With much of the country supplied with free power, we could focus our extra money inward to helping the poor and the enviiroment. Once the economy was repaired we could then fix the other places of the world. One amazing fact is that one windmill costs $50,000, but in ten years it pays for itself and you get free energy.
I know, as a thirteen-year-old, that I don't want to deal with the problems your generation leaves behind. We could then focus on other problems around the world and make the world a better place for everyone NOT JUST YOURSELF. So instead of going to the dangerous beach, for a while you should organize green energy meetings and make your community better for the poor as well as the rest of the people. Thank you. :)

Homes can be built to withstand hurricanes but do people wish to spend that much money? My famialy and I love the beach but will I live there I do not think so. Will I live in California in an earthquake or volcanic zone probably not nope I retire soon and intend to move one more time and then come H**l or high water that is where I will die.

It is very refreshing to know that people out there see the problems with the way we live these days. I feel very badly for everyone who has lost their homes, and everyone who is now having to deal with the rebuild. I do however agree, that it is foolish to live in a way that is detrimental to the environment, which is how our culture has turned. I realize that 6 generations have lived on the coastlines, but the early generations had a cookstove and a wood cabin. They did NOT have TVs, AC, every cooking appliance known to man, computers, etc. Heck, early on they didn't even used nails, just fitted the logs together. Think about how much more damage all of the "stuff" Americans have today does to the earth when something like this does happen. The point isn't that "some people are idiots to live on the coast anyway" but that all of the buildup is truly detrimental, as evidenced by this hurricane. Let's take a lesson learned and live back or live simply and as harmlessly as possible with the earth that supports us.

Thank you, Laurie. You're apparently one of very few people posting from out-of-state with any respect and compassion for the people who live here. I'm constantly appalled at many of the comments that are posted on these stories. What's the point, in the wake of so MUCH tragedy, of calling those who are suffering "stupid"? You ought to be embarrassed.

As Laurie said, many of these homes had survived for a century, sometimes three. This storm was unprecedented locally and nationally. Apparently, some people in the rest of the country fail to realize we have been living the aftermath of this for the past nine months. It's not as if we haven't given it any thought. It's quite the opposite.

Thank you for those of who who have enough decency to refrain from making unhelpful, arrogant comments. And thank you to the people who came to help, some of whom are still here.

I just visited the beaches in North Florida. The beaches in Saint Augustine were great. I swam and didnt use any protective shoes or clothing. Progressive state laws need to be put in place to improve Gulf Coast beaches. Florida is the only state to really have a good handle on keeping their beaches clean. Personal attacks and silly name calling does not solve any problems. We need to use our words wisely and write our State and Fedral leaders and demand better leadership!

Long Beach...I been knowin' Laurie was one of us from da start....did you just now figger it out?...PEACE to all...BLESSINGS to Mississippians!...Laurie is an honary Mississippian by the way

I believe it is wrong to blame individuals who want to live near the ocean for what's going on now, environmentally that is. It is also sad to not be compassionate for those who have lost so much.
Given that I still think that you are missing the point of what Dan and others like him are getting at. I see 3 story houses 15 feet apart, only hundreds of feet from the waters edge and gasp at the selfishness of people who think that because they can afford to build like that they have the right to enjoy "their" ocean. City and state governments shouldn't issue any more permits for these persons $$$$ or not. We are really all to blame, If you drive a car, use a computer, enjoy air conditioning,refrigeration.....ect. plastics...blaa blaa blaa. ps we're all doomed.

I agree with Long Beach, MS why post a comment about an area you clearly have never been too. Why call the people who live their stupid, what is stupid is for you to judge so harshly the choices many residents made to live in Hancock county. This story was posted to explain yet another aspect of the recovery and events in our area. Not to have arrogant comments posted to be little our home town. If your tired of all the stories please stop coming to this site. Your comments do not help nor do they satisfy anyones need to read them.

Thank you.

I will add to Dan's and Sean's comments here. I am
also reasonably well traveled, but I wouldn't
advocate emulating all of Europe's environmental
practices, just as much as I wouldn't advocate taking
a swim in the canals of Venice, or taking a drink
from the River Volga. Also, you might ask a resident
of Bergen, Norway if thhere's a correlation between
increased acidity of rain and Britain's increased
industrial activity.

Perhaps we all need to be a bit more humble in the face of the forces of weather and geology. Enjoy the coast, but acknowledge that structures built on sand are fleeting and temporary. Make sure that this assumption is built into any plans: it WILL be destroyed some day, so make sure the impact on the environment and the economy is minimized. My heart goes out to those who live in these areas so that they may provide the services (at low wages) to folks who otherwise can retreat from the coast. Lest you wonder, I count myself in this second group. The hotel workers, wait staff, landscape and garden workers, these are the ones least able to get out of the way, and the ones who lost the most.

Wussification of America?

You are the ones whining about natural disasters, utterly terrified about global warming. I don't care about global warming.

Mankind lived through an ice age, black death, cholera, typhus, god smiting us, nile floods, tambora and crete and other super volcanos, and now, a hurricane has you down?

If you don't want to get flooded, don't live near the water, but, the water is beautiful, and its worth the risk. But I want to live on a lake, with a 400hp car, and, with cable TV, thank you very much.

Unbelievable..there must be several million stupid people in this country. Some in Martha's Vineyard, Myrtle Beach, Miami, Key West, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Marina del Rey, on the Oregon's coast, North Carolina coast, Georgia's coast and Long Island to name a few...there is only one smart one somewhere in Texas.. Instead of calling people stupid, read your history and get smart. People have been living within a mile of coastlines ever since the human race was created.

As said before, this storm's strength and destruction was unprecedented. So evacuate California, it may fall into the ocean. Possible earthquakes in Arkansas, flooding in the upper Mississippi states, evacuate St. Louis...let's all move to Texas..nothing happens there. Except ignorance...

I do not agree with people who are arrogant, but I'm sure the people who live in the Gulf area are smart enough to make sound decisions when it comes to their safety.

yep, i won't even go into the Tennessee River...without shoes....step on a rusty crank bait...you got trouble...locals know...tourists should be warned though

Give em Hell, Laurie - I haven't even visited this site for over a month, life's just been hectic! But I see we still have plenty of experts from all around the country telling us to all move inland and how e shouldn't go in our water.... and most have never even set foot in Bay St. Louis - but thankfully, I still see we have all those across the nation who are still pulling for us and praying for us. The volunteers are still pooring in, but a few are shutting down for hurricane season and getting the hell out of dodge! I can't say I blame them - last Sat. night was Terrible!!! High wind gusts and I bet every trailer in town was rocking!!! What I want to know is if Dan thinks Americans are so Stupid (and all those others who agree with him), why don't they move to another country??
Laurie, hope all is going well for you!
T.Ryan

I don't know all about this I am reading but let me tell you, the blue crabs from Rockefeller Park Refuge in Southwestern Louisiana where Rita hit are damned good this year. However, I try to avoid eating any that have gold teeth.

How sad that when the people of an area are hurt so badly, lost everything and many lives lost that there are those in other states that would say such hurtful things. Before the storm my house burned, that could have happened to any of you. We lived in an area of the Pass that had no water during hurricane Camille but Katrina put 15 feet in the neighborhood where we were rebuilding. Was any of this my fault? NO. We did the best we could, thought we were safe, had taken all steps necessary against fire and storm (at least the best you can). And we still lost everything again. Are we moving to earthquake country where we have family, how about one of the states in tornado alley where we have more family? We're staying right here in Pass Christian, Mississippi and don't call me stupid 'cause that is a word that none of us living here need to hear. Thank you to the people that have been so wonderful coming here and other hard hit areas and have done so much to repair and build.

Thanks, everybody. I do love Mississippi, and I didn't realize how much until the storm hit and endangered so many people and places I grew up with. Now I live in the very dry and naturally beige high plains desert with rabbits and quail and coyotes. My family's ancestral roots are in Colorado, and it's good to be here, but our hearts are in the Bay.

I really appreciate the thoughtful comments and find it ironic when survivors are being instructed about their lack of need for utilities, etc. They have survived for long periods of time without utilities at all, in the aftermath of the storm. How many of us could do the same? I assume those writing have electricity. I know friends who still do not have hot water, a land phone line and computer access...that type of thing doesn't often happen in a FEMA trailer. But thankfully, they have water and it doesn't have to be boiled any more. Not many of my friends growing up in the Bay used central air conditioning. Those homes were built so that you could open the screen doors in front and back and the windows on the sides, and the breeze would flow right through. At my house, we never used the a.c., not even if we were all fainting and dropping like flies, ask my momma. (Here, in CO, I open my windows at night, close them at 5:00 am and we're good for the day, during the summer.) I agree we all have to be smarter about how and what resources we use. The coast is taking the hit for all of our behaviour. Maybe we can each try to help on our homefronts, to slow this thing down. I really think, no matter where you live, you will be hit, somehow by the climate change.

Have any of you blaming the human race for hurricanes, etc. ever bothered to study your history better on a thing called weather cycles?

FYI, while you're evacuating the MS coast, you had better add ALL coastal cities in the USA to your list.

As for "ignorance" in TX, shame on you. Who was it that took in literally thousands of evacuees from MS and LA? I am personally from both MS and TX, and I can't tell you how kind and giving the Lone Star state has been to all of us who were wiped out. God bless Texas and everyone else across the globe that has helped us be it financially, sweat equity, hand-me-downs, a smile, hug, or prayer. I know I speak for many when I say thank you.

Never in my life have I understood why the ignorant always need to have a say in something!! The people that have gone thru this living h*** need all the support and prayers that can be given. Leave all the reasoning and conjecture and politicising to the men and women we elect to office. And then blame them when mother nature gets ticked off. There is a reason for these natural disasters. The earth is groaning in pain.

I've lived in coastal mississippi my entire life. i can probably count with my fingers the number of times I have actually been swimming at a MS beach (with the exception of cat or ship islands). There may not have been a problem with "hurricane-related" debris in the water prior to katrina, however there has ALWAYS been a problem with broken glass, leftover bonfires, beer cans, styrofoam, etc all over the beaches. For the most part, people in MS do not care. They litter like its going out of style. I can say this having experienced it firsthand for 26 years. I never understood why people would travel to MS to see a beach when they could drive another hour or two to see the AL or FL beaches.

History has shown that even desert dwellers, living in the harshest conditions, never want to leave the desert because it is HOME. We are creatures of habit and tradition. If 4 generations lived by the Ocean, then the 5th generation is not likely to live anywhere else. There are risks no matter where you live, and you cannot escape risk by moving somewhere else. As for waste, the entire human race wastes resources and fouls the very things we are dependent upon for our existence -- the air, water, the earth. There is something selfish built into us that makes us believe it's O.K. to waste or foul if it contributes to our personal comfort or momentary satisfaction. Few can see the big picture well enough to truly want to protect this planet. In the end, we--or our children after us--will all be destroyed by our selfishness. So don't blame the people of Bay St. Louis and Waveland and Pass Christian for wanting to enjoy what they perceive as God's gifts -- a balmy climate, tropical atmosphere, swimming, a small town feeling where everyone knows everyone, fishing, crabbing, swimming, and playing in the sand. It's a beautiful way of life that has been passed down through generations. The risk is weighed against a lifetime of enjoyment.

I'm not from MS, but I have been to Waveland before. My brothers family lived there. Nice town. Watched my nephew play little league, my niece graduate from the high school in the next town over. Even caught a nice black drum from the public pier. Was there houses along the coastal road? Sure, but nothing like here in California where you cant even get to some beaches becuase of all the houses built along them. We plan on going back to vacation there agian someday.

I am reading these postings and am saddened. The point of this report was that there are many different unsafe objects submerged in the sands below the water. Not just in Hancock County, but from Pearlington to Pascagoula, maybe further. Please just be aware and safe when visiting the beaches. There are natural disasters everywhere. You can not realistically move away from them. I have a friend that moved from Waveland to Tennessee, just to be hit by storms carrying tornadoes. We live where our heart is; where our family is; where we are. I love Hancock County and it will always be home.

A "Smile, Hug and a Prayer" to you Jane Anderson!!!...and Laurie...don't open windows this time...cause there is TURKEY skeeters out there already....they cause Whelps!!!!....dangitt....i'm ITCHY....and my wife lost my mange medicine

I have just returned from a volunteer trip with my church to MS. We took a drive down to the coast one day and it is unbelievable. It is quite obvious that there is debris in the water, people need to use common sense, but that can be lacking in some. The devastation is there but so is the hope. You can see small signs of life coming back but years of rebuilding are ahead. If each of us would take a week out of our safe, comfy life and help in the area, just think how much could be accomplished.

I too want to thank those who've assisted us in recovery, both immediately after Katrina, and those who are still here today. Until you've been through something like this, its really easy to stand back and cast stones from a holier-than-though perch...I myself had done it in the past...and its very humbling to have those stones fall on your own head instead.

For the record, I don't live on the MS coast, although its a place near and dear to my heart. I live 40 miles inland, and our area was devastated by Katrina. I lived in a tent for weeks, and anyone who knows this area can tell you that MS in August and September, even October, isn't fun when you're in a shelter that doesn't promote much air circulation.

The MS coast, like New Orleans, will come back. Just remember that wherever you live, you face natural disasters (and human disasters) of all kinds. Living there doesn't make you "stupid" or "ignorant". Home is, after all, where the heart is.

To all those brilliant folks who tsk tsk about how stupid Americans, and especially Mississipians, are--my home WAS 3 miles inland and 18' above sea level before 5' of water rushed into it. You can apologize anytime, but I doubt you will.

AND I don't think it's government's job to point out the bloody obvious.

i just returned from bay st. louis on a mission trip with new hope baptist church, while the area is still devasted, i was not afaid to go into the bay, the only debis we saw or found was on land, you people of bay st. louis and lake shore all rock. god bless.

Signs? Good grief...in order to get to the beach, you have to drive past miles and miles of barren land that has been scraped clean by the Corps of Engineers. You see lot after lot with only slabs or pilings sticking up from the ground.
You'd have to be an IDIOT not to realize a hurricane has come through here or be living in a vacuum not to have heard about Katrina.
We ALL know there is debris in the water, because it's still on the beaches. Those of us that have lived here most of our lives have always worn foot protection when entering this water. It's not the clear green of the Florida beaches because of the barrier islands, so you can't see the bottom. We have always "entered at our own risk"!
What has this world come to when you have to have signs to warn people of the obvious?

40 miles didn't mean much to the monster Katrina, Kandy....you are a survivor...hope this finds ya'll well....watch out for the Turkey skeeters!!!

i wonder if all those people who have been saying that the people in mississippi and louisiana should move somewhere else instead of rebuilding in the same place are going to say the same thing now to the people in maine, massachusetts and new hampshire now that they have big floods. also are they going to condem them for not having flood insurance like they did us. who would have ever thought that places like that would flood. they are not in a flood plain.

As a Destin Fl resident, we have extended helping hands, prayers and places for our fellow citizens from MS and LA to live. Our wish is for a speedy recovery and better lives for them all.

The beaches of MS have always been less than pristine and especially as they allowed pollution from water front casinos. It has always been known for its fishing not its beaches and few people use the beach as compared to Orange Beach, AL to Apalachicola, FL. Beware when entering the Gulf is always advisable, and especially now...just common sense.

Seem as though with the tornadoes and floods this year the coast is not the only place to be careful, so don't blame the coastal residents for where they choose to live.

Let us all hope for an easier hurricane season this year.

Volunteers: if you have helped out Hancock County, they are trying to get addresses for a "Thanks Y'all" campaign. You can go to this link: www.wlox.com/Global/story.asp?S=4921490&nav=6DJI and see the story and respond by email, or send your address to:

Hancock County Tourism Bureau
P.O. Box 3002
Bay St. Louis, MS 39521

They are trying to get all the addresses for a mailing before August 29th.

These are good folks and a good place and their momma raised 'em right so they want to make sure you know how grateful they are for your help! I'd like to add a thanks of my own, to all those who went out of their way to help. So many of us who love this area couldn't always be there when we wanted to...i.e. all the time! It really helped to know that people from all over our good country were helping in whatever way they could. Your kindness is inspiring! Thank you so much!

To all anywhere near the hurricane recovery area - please beware of debris. I am currently at the halfway point of a 6 week course of IV antibiotics due to stepping on a roofing nail in my front yard. We had to have roofing done due to Katrina damage. I received prompt treatment and was on oral antibiotics for 3.5 week prior to needing the IV meds. Injury to oneself from debris in the Gulf would potentially be much more to deal with due to the naturally occuring organisms in the Gulf water. I know how troubling it is for me to deal with my injuries and their aftermath. I'd hate to others to needlessly place themselves in harm's way.

Some people can not pick or choose where they live. You have to go where the work is. I knew it was bad on the MS coast but until you see it firsthand, you have no idea really how bad it is. My prayers are with all the coast residents that includes my daughter n son n law who are there for work, helping rebuild this area.

How can people say that the people in MS and LA shouldn't bother rebuilding and that they shoud move further inshore? If that was the case, you would have to question why people still live in the midwest, with all of the tornadoes? Why do people still live on the west coast with all the earthquakes? I'm sorry but no matter where you go, you aren't going to be safe from mother nature. There's not exactly a safe place to hide.

Angie,there is no place to hide from Mother Nature....you know that and I know that....why can't some of these others seem to realise the truth as you and i both know it?

Christy, I hope you are doing better....in a construction area...always wear thick soled boots...but I bet I don't need ta tell ya now....best wishes...get well!!

My wife grew up on Beach Boulevard in Bay St. Louis, in a home that has been spared by both Camille and Katrina. I made my first trip to the Bay in 1981 when we had first started dating. It was 12 years after Camille, and amazingly, debris from the hurricane was still washing up on the beach. I would imagine Bay-Waveland and the Pass will all be build back before I'd feel comfortable walking in the bay without shoes.

I am from Mississippi - not from the coastal area - though I have spent many a memorable Happy Sunny Day on the beaches. Going to Ship Island, Marine Life, Cruising The Coast among a few of the many visits. I feel as if it is part of my home too. And Ya'll - it's gone. Those beautiful houses, the business's, it's like I dreamed it all. It doesn't matter what anyone from any other State says - Mississippi is the best!! And it will come back, but it will never be the same.

Kaye, it might not be the same....but it's still Mississippi!!!!

The Hurricanes and other natural disasters are not caused by humans. The Earth goes through these periods and changes at regular intervals. I am temporarily living in Gulfport MS right now. The people here are not stupid. It is only natural that humans would want to live near the beach, or any beautiful area. At this point in time you are not safe anywhere. Flooding, hurricanes, tornados, drought, snow-ins, valcanoes, and earthquakes are just part of the Earth going through another change.

About a week ago, a young man drowned in Bay St Louis.
There are signs posted along the beach that it is closed because of storm debris. Not just debris on the beach but also what is in the water. Katrina churned up the Bay of St Louis. There are now sink holes just a stones through off of the beach. The young man who died walked into one of the sink holes and it drew him in like quicksand. His body was found the next day.
NOBODY should go in the water! Please, all visitors, volunteers and locals, heed the signs and stay out of the water.

Any mature person or responsible parents of children must accept the risks of deciding to swim, live, walk, etc. anywhere on the face of this planet and can not realistically expect governments to be responsible for putting up warning signs everywhere! We live in this country of doctors, lawyers and drug companies and seemingly refuse to take responsibility for anything that we choose to do. Instead we seek settlements in frivilous law suits or try to find shelter in the endless barrage of drugs designed to do whatever these drug companies convince us that we need through their ridiculous advertising. I don't live on the gulf coast and would never live there, not so much because of the hurricane threat, rather because of the seven or eight months of the year when it's so miserably humid there. I've visited there as early as March and as late as October so don't bother trying and tell me it isn't ungodly muggy. The bottom line is my house could certainly be wiped out by a tornado, flood, etc. today and three days from now no one would even remember who I am or what my house looked like or even care about my house at all because the event wasn't big enough for the disaster hungry media to flock down upon and make their stories for disaster hungry newsreaders to feast upon. DISASTER. That word is so misunderstood isn't it? Where is the line drawn that says this weather event is a disaster and this one isn't. Ultimately GOD will decide our fate/disasters and we have no alternative but to accept his plan.

I have to agree as Americans we don't think of the future unless something chaotic happens. I think on the whole, it is the human race not just Americans.
We all need to play our part in making a different You want a Greener view, more environmental sound.
Then support, vote, and change our own selfish ways. We must take notice, this is a wake up call! Global warming-Global dimmming-polar sheets melting-The diasters are just beginning unless we do something now. We need to stop competing with each other, for the best SUV or Hi definition TV or how much bling we have. Stop the demand for unnecessary and look for that which will bring a better tomorrow cause we may not get another chance.

I just returned from a trip to Biloxi/Gulfport, MS to visit my brother and Slidell, LA to move my mother to an assisted living here in Colorado. Both Biloxi and Slidell are amazing. Considering the damage from Katrina, thing have come a long way. The resiliency, spirit and strength of the people of the Gulf coast are to be admired. Although many are still living in FEMA trailers in their driveways while they try to repair their homes, much progress has been made.

Biloxi, MS - The situation in Biloxi is particularly interesting. Biloxi is determined to be the next Vegas and they will make it. I actually can see for the first time in many years of visiting the Gulf Coast, mainly Slidell, why people would want to live in the Bay/Gulf area. Sad to say, and certainly painful as it has been, the storm gave the place a much needed “haircut” and an opportunity to replace the old and crumbling with the new and modern. Biloxi quickly recognized an opportunity, forced though it was, and join together to quickly come up with a building code and other rules. As a result, the builders were able to determine what and where they could build and have gotten to it. Real estate prices of all types have skyrocketed. If you have money to invest, Biloxi is the place to do it and soon.

The beaches – have always been nasty – white sand around Biloxi but dirty water. But it is my understanding that the Army has let a contract for cleanup. I think Biloxi has begun to recognize that clean beaches and water is key to their economic recovery and will hopefully take the cue from Florida as to how to protect and care for the beaches. From the car the beaches looked clean and white. But my brother told me that everyday things wash up from the storm and the water off most beaches is full of storm debris. People who live there (like many in California) do not actually go in the water. Even before the storm they were very careful. Many beaches are still closed.

Gulfport, Waveland and other towns between Biloxi and Slidell are another matter. I did not visit other than Gulfport. But the devastation and bureaucratic infighting were so great related to codes/money that it will be much longer before things improve in those towns. Although real estate prices have also skyrocketed, I did not get the hopeful feeling nor see the buzz of optimistic activity in Gulfport that I did in Biloxi. In fact, Gulfport looked like a ghost town. Many badly damage buildings still standing and few people on the street on a Wednesday.

Slidell, LA – the eye of the storm went right over Slidell. There was much devastation. My mom’s house survived with little damage. Dad (who died three years ago) had cut down all the trees around the house years ago and had bought on the highest piece of property he could find (Old Country Club). Paranoia does pay in certain circumstances. She had no flooding nor trees down in the house. Her house sold for $60K more than it would have before the storm. Many others in the neighborhood had at least several trees smash through. Slidell is coming back. I went out to Rats Nest Road right on the Lake. All the places right on the Lake are gone, as they probably should be. Before the storm it was great to be able to sit at restaurant right over the Lake and eat the freshest of seafood. But truth be told, that land should never have been built on and the food tastes just as good a little further away from the Lake. One-half of the town was wiped out by the storm surge. I did not go right downtown, but it is my understanding that things are coming back there too.

New Orleans – I did not venture in there. Before the storm when traveling to my Mom’s in Slidell I usually flew into NO. It is too much hassle now to get back and forth as they are still working on the bridge over the Lake. Traffic jams make it iffy to get to the airport on time. Flying into Gulfport was easier even though there is no direct flight from Denver. It costs a few bucks more but then because my brother lives 15 minutes away, I did not have to rent a car to get to Slidell. NO is still a very big mess in more ways then one. The burecrates cannot seem to get it together for a rebuilding plan. Old time thinkers sill want to rebuild on what should be wetlands. The quarter for years has been a sorry sight in the daytime and once you have done it in the night or at Mardi Gras there was no reason to go back. Economically it has been downhill for years with not one corporate headquarters based there. The main jobs were in the service or medical industry – same as in Slidell serving the retired (living there was cheap) and poor. I am of the opinion that yes we need to rebuild NO, but move it back so that the wetlands reclaim what should have been theirs to begin with.