JOURNEY TO A RUINED HOME
Posted: Tuesday, September 27 at 12:05 pm CT by msnbc.com
CAMERON PARISH, La. -- When we finally cross the Gibbstown Bridge and drop into the valley beyond, we know right away we we’ll go no further in our rental truck unless it sprouts wings and a propeller. The road disappears into water, and there’s nothing but liquid marsh as far as the eye can see. A week ago, we would still be 10 miles from the coast. Today this is beach-front property.
Huey Mhire rides with his nephew Zeke Wainwright (not pictured) in a boat toward their homes in Grand Chanier, LA for the first time following hurricane Rita's landfall Monday. The two found both homes destroyed. (Andrew Locke / MSNBC.com)
VIDEO: Journey with Huey Mhire and his nephew Zeke Wainwright to their homes in Grand Chenier, La. to survey the damage from hurricane Rita first hand. (warning: this video contains adult language) (Andrew Locke / MSNBC.com)
As we pull up to the end of the road, we spot two men launching a flat-bottomed boat into the murky water. As they struggle to start the engine I yell out and ask to join them on what I imagined would be a short trip south. The older man yells, “Well, come on,” and Bob and I hurriedly agree to separate. I’ll take a boat ride, and he’ll stay behind to do a few more interviews and update the blog.
Once on the water, we make quick introductions. Zeke Wainwright and his uncle, Huey Mhire, are trying to make their way to their homes in Grand Chenier, La., some 15 miles away from here. This entire region has been closed off by authorities since Rita made landfall Friday night, and the pair are anxious to see what remains of their homes.
However, with 15 miles to go, this will not be a one-, or even three-hour tour. Unable to reach Bob (our satellite phones are sitting in a FedEx box in Memphis), I settle in for the long, hot, wet ride.
Wainwright is the principal at a local elementary school, while Mhire is spending his retirement as a hunting guide. Both are jovial as we bomb through the reedy marshes, sharing local lore and vernacular. Their boat, for example, is known locally as a “mudder” and its flat bottom and pivoting propeller allow it to move in water only a few inches deep. As we cross the first fence lurking only ankle-deep below the water’s surface, I immediately see the value of the design.
As we motor deeper into the flooded area, the extent of the damage begins to sink in. We see countless dead animals -- nutria, cattle, snakes, deer and even birds. Farther in, partially submerged houses litter the watery landscape. Mhire’s mood begins to darken. Not only are these houses submerged, none of them are sitting where they were before the hurricane. “This does not look good,” he says.
The journey is arduous. Even with the boat’s shallow draft, we have to climb out of the boat and drag the hull over submerged levees, roads and fences. We’re soon all soaked below the waist with oily floodwaters, and above with sweat. We pass a two-gallon jug of water between us and carry on.
Almost four hours after we began our journey, we bank on the edge of a flooded field next to Mhire and Wainwright’s homes, and finish our journey on foot. As we approach the houses, Mhire’s hopes are buoyed. “I can see the second story,” he says almost giddily. But the awful truth is soon revealed as we climb the shallow bank. Mhire’s second story appears intact, but all that remains of the first floor is the 2x4 framing and twisted debris.
We pass Wainwright’s home first. The destruction is complete. The walls have all collapsed and the contents of the home now lie strewn across the muddy yard.
As we move closer to Mhire’s home, a frightened dog skitters from behind some debris and barks menacingly. “Forkey! Hey girl,” he calls. The dog prances cautiously toward us, circling closer before finally submitting to a pat on the head. The dog was loose when Mhire evacuated and couldn’t be found before they had to leave. Mhire is ecstatic, and judging from what we find at the house, I can only imagine what Forkey had to survive in order to be reunited with her owner.
We arrive at Mhire’s house and the damage is stunning. The remains of the brick walls lie shattered on the ground and only the most solid construction remains inside -- support beams, the fireplace and the remains of their kitchen countertop. As we move through the rubble, we hear a cat meowing from the now-unreachable second story. It’s Lucky, one of their family cats, sitting atop his wife’s sewing cabinet. Unable to reach her, we have no choice but to move on, with Mhire relieved that she has also has survived the storm.
Back outside, Mhire faces the shell of his home in shock. “I’ve lived on this plot for 68 years, all my life,” he explains. “This is terrible.”
It’s a cruel irony that the house his father built, sitting on the same plot of land, had been similarly destroyed in 1957 by Hurricane Audrey. They rebuilt then, but he’s not sure what they’re going to do now. “I don’t know. I just don’t know,” he says.
Night is approaching, so we hurriedly drag Forkey the dog into the boat and set off for dry land. We spend a tense hour working our way over submerged obstacles in the fading light, and pull up just as the Coast Guard is preparing to come find us, more than five hours after we’d left.
With Forkey happily perched in the back of Mhire’s pickup truck, we say our goodbyes. The wizened and jovial spark I saw earlier in his eyes has returned. “Y’all tell FEMA not to forget about us out here, OK?”
As dusk finally succumbs to night, we get in the truck and end our last day reporting for this Weblog. As we drive, my head is filled with the countless voices of people I’ve met during my two reporting tours, first in the days following Katrina’s landfall, and now in the destructive wake of Hurricane Rita. For me, this cacophony of voices has begun to merge into a single tale, not of looters and chaos but one of boundless human kindness and resilience in the face of unimaginable personal tragedy.
The people of this region are suffering. To be sure, the victims of Katrina far outnumber those devastated by Rita, but victims of both storms are in need of help. And regardless of which storm devastated their lives, they will continue to suffer long after the last satellite truck has left the scene. But I will never forget them, and I hope that you, our readers, won’t either. The power to help these people is, as it always was, in your hands.
FOSTER CARE FOR MISS KITTY?
TRACKBACKS
I'm so sorry that you lost youre home the god thing that you are ok and I'l by praing for you when I sau the news I surprit, and sad that all this homs wera distrod and all the ded bodis on the water. I'ts going to snow about 20ft in truckee.
salvador tejeda, truckee, california (Sent Sep 27, 2005 2:42:23 PM)
Hey iam so sorry what happen to you I hope your all right and in a safe place well just think of this way you will be liveing in a better place I fell so bad for you I wish I could help you out. Just hang in there and evreything will be allright.
Matt Hazel (Sent Sep 27, 2005 2:43:53 PM)
You said that the dog went in the boat with you.. Where is the cat that was meowing from the upstairs when he was in the home?
This is Rita, I can only imagine how many more of these stories there are east of there from Katrina.. and how many dogs and cats were left to starve. I may seem more interested in the animals but then that is my work, I do dog rescue, so please dont jump on me as if I dont care about the people. I do, I just have a special warm spot in my heart for the animals that were left/ or had to be left.
thanks so much for this video
Anne M Wheeling IL (Sent Sep 27, 2005 2:46:47 PM)
Thank you Bob and Andrew for the pictures and descriptive words that put this in reality form for us on the West Coast. Again we ask, "Why are there cattle farms or any farms for that matter in such low laying lands and marsh? Why were the cattle not evacuated as these are peoples lives, their investments? We know about land and prices and flood plains tend to be cheaper, so why not have evacuation areas for people's cattle and/or other livestock and horses and such that is on higher ground? Hopefully this will help those land planners figure something out along these lines, as well as homeowners/landowners. Perhaps if a neighbor has a spare piece of property on higher ground and a corral or two that is not being used they would have the goodness of heart to have it set up for evacuation for their neighbors?
That is such good news about the dog Sparky, such emotional relief from a loving family pet/companion. They truly are members of families, these furry critters. Now for Lucky, hopefully she will truly be lucky if she goes to drink the water and not get sick, or attacked by another lost/abandoned pet or snakes. Our prayers for Lucky and the other pets that got left behind. Hopefully she will be rescued soon as well as the other animals. As for Forkey and all of the wonderful family furry companions, we wish them and their humans well and Godspeed.
And Andrew, in repeating your wonderful words that are so very true but before we do we'd like to add that hopefully these people will build up better, stronger and upon higher ground for if this is ever to happen again, and hopefully they will help themselves and their animals get out BEFORE the evacuation orders are given and use the warnings as their sign to get out now. They need to help themselves plan, making sure they have medicine, food, water and other essential items. People cannot expect the government and the tax payers to take care of their every need so planning again, essential. Now to repeat your words..."not of looters and chaos but one of boundless human kindness and resilience in the face of unimaginable personal tragedy.
The people of this region are suffering. To be sure, the victims of Katrina far outnumber those devastated by Rita, but victims of both storms are in need of help. And regardless of which storm devastated their lives, they will continue to suffer long after the last satellite truck has left the scene. But I will never forget them, and I hope that you, our readers, won’t either. The power to help these people is, as it always was, in your hands." Beautiful words but again, we all hope that they can be given an option to move out of the floodplains and marshlands. Our prayers with one and all for personal strength, strength in their families, friends and neighbors. HUGS to ya'all. Peace be upon you all....Again Andrew and Bob, thank you for going to the lengths you had in order to bring the stories from near and far, big towns and little, our way.
The Harlow's, San Diego, California (Sent Sep 27, 2005 3:21:19 PM)
I feel for the people of the south. I had a family member in Chalmette, very near to St. Rita's nursing home. The home was under 12 feet of water and this was their second experience with a hurricane. The first was Camille back in the 60's. All has been lost again and there is no return this time. As a care taker of three rescue dogs, I too feel for the animals. People have the intelligence to find alternative help whereas the poor animals were merely left to fend for themselves. No food...no water...and unable to get to a safe and dry place. We were all created by the same Maker and I'm sure he loved them as he loves all of us. My prayers are for all creatures whether on two legs or four, or without legs. People were not the only ones to pay the price of this catastrophe.
Cheryl Burdeau Taylor , Salt Lake City, UT (Sent Sep 27, 2005 3:45:49 PM)
The former head of FEMA, Mike Brown, is right and should be listened to. The Governor of Louisiana and Mayor of New Orleans should be made accountable for their poor leadership and horrible decisions. The blame should be on the State of LA and the City of NO. FEMA is NOT responsible for evacuating cities and providing police protection...stop blaming Mike Brown for the stupidy of state/city elected officials. Our Constitution is based on the platform of State's Rights. The Federal Government should act when asked by at State...not before. Again, the blame for those poor people's plight belongs in Louisana...period.
And, to all those who won't support the Red Cross during times like these and believe the money given is used for overhead....get real and get some education.
r marshall (Sent Sep 27, 2005 4:12:22 PM)
It is the stories of real people suffering real loss and the strength and courage they muster to survive each day that will be recounted for years to come. Thank you for allowing their story to be told. Keep up the great writing.
Mary Danielsen, Robbinsville, N.J. (Sent Sep 27, 2005 4:45:29 PM)
I read the blogs every night, your narration allows me to feel like I am there. To all those who critcise where people live, remember the earth has many "unfriendly" places. There as earthquakes and threat of mudslides for the Harlow's in San Diego, or tornados for those in the midwest. The marshes have been disappearing due to Man's destructive ways of oil drilling, developers, damming of the Mississsippi, etc. The folks on the bayou are being forced out of their way of living. Util you loose your loved ones, your house, your town, your job, or your way of life, I would refrain from passing judgement on those who are suffering. They are not asking that the government take care of them the rest of their lives, but a hand up to get started. I live on the gulf coast of Florida and lived through Hurricane Charley, but does that make me move? No because my job and home are here, I cannot afford to pack up and go where I think I can be "immune" from disasters. The humanity of the blogs are hitting me hard, because I come from the type of folks that are profiled. I come from those who worked hard and many of those fell below the poverty level. Please keep the blogs coming.
Sincerely,
Liz
L. Davis, Cape Coral, FL (Sent Sep 27, 2005 4:49:03 PM)
Thanks Bob, it's to bad that the national media put so much emphasis on New Orleans, half of which was blown out of proportion. The people of our great country have resorted to finger pointing and neighbor bashing instead of compassion and love. Good job and thanks.
Paul Mills, Cola, S.C. (Sent Sep 27, 2005 4:52:47 PM)
Hearing about the utter devastation ten miles from the coast is upsetting to say the least. What a beautiful and cherished part of the country, now destroyed. I hope people can rebuild, but maybe consolidate and make fewer communities and more open marsh land that goes back to being undeveloped again. But why didn't people evacuate sooner, with all their animals? They had at least 4 or 5 days to get a truck and haul out some of the cattle and their families? Why didn't people listen to the warnings? I believe food, water and gas should be given out quickly to the survivors, but next storm everyone should leave sooner. Good luck in rebuilding. I admire everyone's courage.
Barbara Pisanko, Kenosha WI (Sent Sep 27, 2005 5:08:54 PM)
Saying thanks to both of you for your "words" covering the aftermath of the huricanes is woefully inadequate. Your coverage of the people and their lives are forever written within my heart and soul. In the video clip Mr Mhire states he has worked his entire life for what he had. At 68 I'm sure it's hard to face rebuilding seven decades of your life. Hopefully our government will come through for all those affected by these forces of nature. These people will need our help and our prayers, yes, long after the last satellite truck has departed.
Amanda Jonesboro, Arkansas (Sent Sep 27, 2005 5:20:52 PM)
It amazes me how people can be in such good spirits in the face of such a tragedy. You are all in our hearts, minds, and prayers. Thank you so much for the stories that you bring and share with all of us that are not there. Please take care and be safe!
Brandi - Martinez, CA (Sent Sep 27, 2005 5:33:00 PM)
my heart and prayers goes out to everyone affected by these hurricanes and hope it brings this country together even stronger and makes people understand that life is not promised and that we should appreciate it every day the man allows us to wake up and see another day. i hope that the federal government takes proper steps to help these people affected and does not mirror the ignorance it showed during the 1st hurricane that devistated this country and others who observed may god watch over us all and god bless yu guys for having the heart and courage to do what yu do
marvin price camden new jersey (Sent Sep 27, 2005 5:37:10 PM)
Thank you for documenting the stories of the people affected by Hurricane Katrina, such as these two gentleman from Grand Chenier. Hearing the individual stories helps to put a face on the tragedy and rebuilding effort.
Jennifer, Charlottesville, Virginia (Sent Sep 27, 2005 5:41:18 PM)
First of all, I've cried my share of tears over the misfortune suffered by the devastation in Louisiana and now Texas. Many times, while I watched the reports on television, I couldn't stand to watch because it was too hurtful. My prayers are with the many people that were left without shelter and without any of the lifetime possessions. I can't imagine what they must be going through.
About Michael Brown. WHAT COULD HE DO? FEMA takes directives from the local and state officials, AND THEN, they step in and do their thing. The Governor and the Mayor were on site and were supposed to know what was going on and what to ask for. The Mayor moved his own family out, but forgot that there were others that lived in his city besides his own family. The Governor was clueless. FEMA historically will not step in until the local government does an assessment of the needs and reports them back to him. Mr. Brown's competency has never been put in question with any other national emergency, because he has always come through. He graciously bowed out of the picture to save face for President Bush, and that shows his class. But the Governor of Louisiana and the Mayor should leave also. They are the ones that are truly to blame for the lack of services. The Mayor's incompetency has been evident again and again, for example, when he said 10,000 had died and when he called the residents to come back right before Hurricane Rita. The President had to step in and stop him in his tracks. The Governor and Mayor owe an apology to the world for the consequences of their lack of leadership, and they should be prosecuted or at least removed from office for the deaths they caused.
aurora (Sent Sep 27, 2005 5:46:55 PM)
To all the people of Grand Cheiner my prayers are with you, especially thise who work at the BP Grand Chenier Gas Plant.
Jay Paratore (Sent Sep 27, 2005 5:49:24 PM)
All of Washington State is with you, you are in our prayers. I personally feel so bad, I am at a loss of words because I cannot imagine what it is like to not have a home anymore.
Thomas Washington III, Seattle, WA (Sent Sep 27, 2005 5:57:55 PM)
Hi All
Just wanted to share some institutional knowledge. I think the reconstruction effort in La and Tx are laudable. However I think we may be in the process of re-inventing a square wheel.
Back in the 1960s Guam was hit by one of the first super typhoons on record. The typhoon leveled most of the residential and commercial structures on the island. Guam at the time, was under the government control of the US Navy who quickly went to work re-building. A contractor was hired to re-build all of the homes, it was Henry Kaiser.
For better or worse the Greatest Generation took on the task and built what is now known as "the Kaiser Homes". These homes were built with steel reinforced CMU walls with four inch thick reinforced concrete slab roofs. Door sills were built with six inch thresholds which kept back flood water. Roofs were built with four foot overhangs to limit driven rain from entering windows. Doors and windows were build recessed opening outward with piano hinged shutters.
The interior of the homes were designed as a home within a home, with an interior core where essential functions (cooking and bathrooms were located within completely enclosed rooms. (Cooking vented through one window on and exterior reinforced wall) Exterior to the central core are the living rooms and bedrooms. The central core serves as a "safe room" where basic functions are maintained even if damage is inflicted to the periphery of the structure.
These homes were for the most part built 40 + years ago. All have withstood some of the most powerful cyclonic storms in history during this time period. (and a 8+ earthquake). All are still in use and functioning.
Lessons to be learned:
If you are going to build in a hurricane zone, build up where the storm surge can't reach you.
Build homes designed to survive the worst winds, and which are designed to provide shelter even when damaged.
Don't build structures which will require re-building after the next storm.
And in New Orleans stop building wood frame structures with untreated wood. The Formosian termites will only get fatter.
Vernon Hoo, Honolulu, Hawaii (Sent Sep 27, 2005 6:19:06 PM)
I have to put in my two cents. I was born and raised in Louisiana, and it IS dysfunctional! The state and local government were the first to fail. It is their responsibilty to respond first, and even to see that the people are evacuated. Mayor Ray Nagin let a gazillion school buses drown while his people did the same. Why didn't he use those buses to get those people out if they didn't have cars? (dysfunctional!)
And what ABOUT all those cars you could see in the video on TV during the rescues? Who did they belong to, if not the people who were being plucked from the rooftops of the houses they were parked in front of? (dysfunction!)
Then comes Kathleen Blanco who sat on her hands while she "thought about it for 24 hours" when she was offered National Guard troops BY the President, BEFORE the storm! And then she shows the world her ineffectual ineptitude while she wrings her hands on national TV and says the looting "WILL stop!" Why? Because if it doesn't she's going to spank them? (dysfunction!)
And how about Senator Mary Landrieaux, who threatened the President--not once, but twice! She was going to "punch him"! (Snort!) I'm sure he was shaking in his boots. (dysfunction!)
All of these fools are from Louisiana, and democrats. And, obviously, DYSFUNCTIONAL!
I have lived here all my life (unfortunately) and as long as I can remember (I am 49) there has always been greed, graft and corruption in Louisiana! (Dysfunction!)
Edwin (dysfunctional) Edwards who was governor here for years on end ended up in prison....hello! The state got into the legalized gambling thing. THAT money was supposed to go for education. So why do people here still have to put their kids in private schools to get a decent education??? (Dysfunction!)
And after being told to leave, why in the world were there still so many people in New Orleans? Don't tell me that none of them had the means to leave, because I would have walked out before I had stayed in a city below sea level with a Category 5 headed my way! And what about Fats Domino, who was still there, and Aaron Neville's sister, who is also a singer like Aaron. They "didn't have the means" to leave? Give me a break! Many of those people CHOSE to stay, and they may have done it out of ignorance. Nevertheless, how can people thousands of miles away be held responsible for the mistake, miscalculation, naivete, whatever of the people of New Orleans?
And then we have the attitude problem that many of the people being rescued displayed! Much griping, and not a lot of thank yous! I was embarassed to be associated with this state!
Don't get me wrong. I have contributed a lot of personal belongings, food, water, etc. My daughter and I did a drive for school supplies for the kids who lost their homes. I DO feel sorry for the people who lost everything, but I am appalled at some of their attitudes. "Someone owes me! Someone is supposed to take care of me! Someone needs to come and rescue me, feed me, etc., even though I didn't leave when I was TOLD to by the government I am now blaming for my loss!"
Yes, they need help now, but jeez! Give the Feds a break, ya'll! The storms were NOT their fault! And I am sick of hearing inane and stupid things come out of the mouths that surround me (like, "Bush gave orders to break the levee on purpose, because it was only black people who lived there!") WHAT!?!?!? You don't actually BELIEVE that, do you???
My daughter and I passed out the school supplies we collected in our neighborhood at a shelter here in Baton Rouge. Only a few of those people who were rescued thanked us, and while we were there, I was struck in the chest with a basketball (hard), while the grown boys (evacuees) who threw it stood there and laughed! Even my eleven year old daughter figured it was intentional. I was hoping to teach her a lesson in compassion. Instead, she told me, "Remind me next time to just let the people at the shelter pass the stuff out!" (Once again, dysfunction--and I don't mean my daughter!)
Signed, a Republican drowning in the flood of New Orleans democrats in Baton Rouge!
Bev, Baton Rouge, LA (Sent Sep 27, 2005 6:24:34 PM)
Thank you for the story. I appreciate you making it very clear to those who do not live in the coastal areas what it means to build close to the sea. As to the poor dog and cat I noticed that were left behind by their unconsionable, uncaring, materialistic humans to fend for themselves in the crashing waves, 120 mph winds and collapsing houses -- I sure wish that they will find better owners to spend their lives with. Abandonment is a crime in the state I live in. When seeing them left behind, crying out to returning owners, who are not conscious of what they exposed the loving dogs and cats to by abandoning them to Rita, I suddenly find it very hard to feel sorry for the humans who find terrible that merely material possessions were lost. It is but cold logic, that what we as a race breed to be dependent on us for life, support and caring, we must protect and take care of until it dies of a ripe old age. I apologize for being politically incorrect in this matter, but I feel the truth must be told outright in the interest of God's other creatures.
Vera (Sent Sep 27, 2005 7:27:06 PM)
All I can say is, after reading this blog on a daily basis, I will never look at my 2-room apartment and simple posessions as meager.
I just have one idea: how about sending a hurricane as bad as Katrina over to some certain caves in Afghanistan and/or Pakistan? I'm sure with all that toxic soup in and around the Gulf States, we could certainly force bin Laden out of his comfy cave eventually - at least we'd be able to smell his remains!
Bob and Andrew, thank you.
Stephanie Umbro, Standish, ME (Sent Sep 27, 2005 7:43:54 PM)
I am totally saddened by the damage done from the last two storms both in human as well as material damage. I just don't know why or how long things will be as they are. We here in Florida still have people living in trailer cities, lets get in line. Lets take care of the previous victims who have been waiting for a year living in horrrible conditions waiting.Or is it a race related issue again.
Richard Lavargna 2051 Pioneer Tr. N.S.B.,FL (Sent Sep 27, 2005 7:47:46 PM)
A very sad, but beautifully written story. It makes me wonder how such "empty suits" as Governor Blanco and Mayor Nagin got elected in the first place. Just look at their facial expressions and demeanor. They are in shock, totally out of their element. Their lack of leadership is blatant. Voters of Louisiana remember!!!
Robert Markowitz, San Diego California (Sent Sep 27, 2005 8:11:19 PM)
Thank you for bringing us these updates on whats going on with people after Rita. Most major networks are stuck in neutral, and only wnat to report on New Orleans. It appears that Rita was kind of put on the back burner. I only hope and pray that these people are getting all the help they need and more.
Teresa Hollis, Clarksville, Ohio (Sent Sep 27, 2005 10:11:15 PM)
I was born and raised in Louisiana and after reading everything written about the people of Louisiana, feel the necessity to voice my opinion on people's perspective of Louisiana people. To all of those who are trying to lay blame on the people of Louisiana for not evacuating, you don't have any idea what circumstances were involved that made those people stay. Nor do you realize the poverty in south Louisiana. True, there are those that sponge off the government, but there are also those that are very, very poor and have too much pride to sponge off the government. My parents were not rich and they were not poor, but as I was growing up there was poverty all around me. All of these old people, these fisherman who survive off of the gulf waters, those who have never owned a car, how can someone blame them for needing help from the government now. I bet most people across the United States would not believe me if I told them there are places down in South Louisiana that you can only get to by boat. That is a way of life for them. Sorry for the long post, but don't appreciate some of the distorted and unfair labels people are placing on the people of Louisiana.
Nelda, Dallas (Sent Sep 28, 2005 11:25:59 AM)
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