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Bretta's new home and her FEMA trailer |
We are on the way back this morning, Saturday, April 21st. It is hard to leave Bretta's home with so much left to do. But we have made much progress and eased her mind considerably. We hope the crews that follow us will complete her home soon. |
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The devastation in Pearlington has boggled the mind. The town's byways lead us to tree-sheltered ruins and clusters of foundations that once were neighborhoods. Some neighborhoods were not washed away, however they were completely inundated to the tops of their rooflines. |
 This house was completely submerged. |
We detoured to New Orleans to see what kind of progress has been made in its recovery. In a short time, we were on the outskirts of the city, where mile after mile of houses, duplexes and apartments stand empty and blackened. The roofs of many wear a luxurious coating of bright green moss. |
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The scale of the damage is enormous. In Pearlington and New Orleans, the empty structures and quiet streets bear mute testimony to the power and energy and force of the water and our arrogant brinksmanship in settling there. The closer we get to the city, the more progress is being made. Instead of street after street of abandoned housing, we see neighborhoods reduced to rubble and scrap metal, and then we begin to see rebuilt buildings. We are surprised to see that they are the same design as the ones that were destroyed. Former residents trying to reestablish themselves in their old neighborhoods are being priced out of housing. Two-bedroom apartments that once rented for $450 a month now cost $800. There simply aren't enough jobs that pay an income sufficient to move back. Many who return are finding themselves virtually homeless |
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We have found a good deal of courage, camaraderie, patience, aggravation, depression, and an entire country of people just bearing down and keeping ahead, barely. We hope to return soon and that more will join us. |
