The amazing story of Bill Harris of Slidell, La.
Posted: Monday, September 5 at 09:10 pm CT by Mike Brunker
EVANS CREEK, La. -- We’ve heard some amazing stories from hurricane survivors during our wanderings, but the tale told by Bill Harris of Slidell, La., is the most gripping yet.
AUDIO: Listen to Harris describe getting hit by a 30-foot storm surge, and how Miss Kitty helped save his life. (Andrew Locke / MSNBC.com)
Harris, 63, who suffers from a chronic kidney disorder, said he went to sleep Sunday night in the condominium he shares with his cat, Miss Kitty, which was approximately a mile from Lake Pontchartrain alongside a canal. When he awoke, the gray and brown cat was on top of the China cabinet meowing piteously.
Harris found out why when he sat up to get out of bed.
“There was no floor there,” he says of the bizarre sight that greeted him as his bed floated in six feet of water toward a newly broken bay window in his bedroom.
Harris fell off the bed and remembers praying each of the four times he went under, fighting to avoid being pulled out the window by the roiling current. The fourth time, though, he saw Miss Kitty hurl herself across the room to a table that was still above water and struggled to follow her. He wasn’t able to climb onto the table, but he found a chair that had miraculously stayed upright nearby and managed to stand on it, soon to be joined by Miss Kitty.
Harris says he tried to get out, but found his front door blocked by a 30-foot fishing boat that had been deposited on his porch. So with no other way out, he spent the better part of three days standing on the chair and clutching Miss Kitty to his chest.
A boater eventually heard Harris’ shouts and a second boat soon arrived to pull him to safety out the window. Despite his pleas, though, the rescuers were not willing to re-enter the condo to grab Miss Kitty.
Harris remains disconsolate over the loss of the cat he calls his “guardian angel,” though he is still holding out hope of a reunion. And he is very worried about his mother, Jane B. Harris, who he believes was moved out of the Trinity Nursing Home before the flood for parts unknown.
A lifelong citizen’s band radio buff known by the handle “Wild Bill,” Harris also is grieving the loss of his old faithful radio and is hoping all the friends he made over the airwaves can pitch in with a spare to help him through this very tough time.
Recharging in Gulf Shores, Ala.
TRACKBACKS
God bless you Bill. I pray your mother is well and you find your cat.
Daniel C., Lyon Mountain, New York (Sent Sep 5, 2005 9:20:24 PM)
I,M SO HAPPY THAT YOUR OK BILL, AND I WILL PRAY FOR YOUR MISS KITTY, STAY STRONG, I WISH YOU THE BEST. VICKI, SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIFORNIA.
VICKI REID SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIFORNIA 96150 (Sent Sep 5, 2005 9:30:39 PM)
God bless. We pray you are reunited with your pet
jesse jenkins (Sent Sep 5, 2005 9:31:42 PM)
I am praying for you, Bill, and for your Mom and Kitty. Take care, God Bless you and all the people from NO.
Rosa H. Irizarry, Lancaster, Ca (Sent Sep 5, 2005 9:34:33 PM)
with god's help you will see Miss Kitty again, after all she is your guardian angel. thank god you are okay, and all will be well.
kadi,suriname (Sent Sep 5, 2005 9:39:03 PM)
Bill, you have quite an amazing story to share which proves God's love and saving grace. Keep passing it on. I'm an animal lover too so hope Miss Kitty is safe and you're reuinited with her soon. Hang on to your faith and know all will work out. Your sister in Christ,
Cindy B., Grand Island, NE. (Sent Sep 5, 2005 9:39:44 PM)
Bill, your story brought tears to my eyes. I hope things are better for you now. All of you are in our prayers.
Sheila Johnson, Raleigh, N. C. (Sent Sep 5, 2005 9:40:06 PM)
Peace and Love Mr Bill, Please stay strong and I'll pray for you and the safe return of your beloved cat.
Najah Watson (Sent Sep 5, 2005 9:40:51 PM)
Thank God you are alive! May God Bless you with the reunion of your Miss Kitty & your Mother. Keep the Faith Bill!
E K Kissinger (Sent Sep 5, 2005 9:42:47 PM)
I'm thinking of you Bill and praying for your mother and Miss Kitty.
Darci Weigelt (Sent Sep 5, 2005 9:43:01 PM)
Noah's Wish and The North Shore Animal League are two of the animal rescue groups I know of that are down there helping people find and save their animals. Maybe they can help find Miss Kitty. They both have websites....noahswish.com and northshoreanimalleague.com...where you can contact them.
Dusty Locke, Everett, Washington (Sent Sep 5, 2005 9:44:15 PM)
I think God sent you an angel in the form of Miss Kitty. You sound like a very brave and strong man. You were left here for a purpose, Be Blessed!
Jo, Shelby Township, MI (Sent Sep 5, 2005 9:44:28 PM)
Don't give up hope Bill for finding Miss Kitty. She sounds like an amazing cat!She will find her way back to you. I will pray for both your safety and reunion.You story is remarkable. Such courage! God Bless and good luck! Mary Knee Concord NH 03301
Mary Knee (Sent Sep 5, 2005 9:45:07 PM)
Bill, I just can't imagine what you have been through. Stay strong and think positive thoughts. The Lord will guide you, your Mother and Miss Kitty back together again. God Bless you all!
Stevie L. Jones, Hoquiam, Washington (Sent Sep 5, 2005 9:45:09 PM)
God bless you Bill and your mother! I hope you find your kitty! I know how it feels to not have a pet that you love and hold dear. I hope you find your Angel!
Jackie Minton, cincinnati,ohio (Sent Sep 5, 2005 9:45:37 PM)
god bless u bill....dont forget .. a cat has 9 lives...so good luck..
kay (Sent Sep 5, 2005 9:46:51 PM)
God bless you Bill. I pray that you find your Mom and "Miss Kitty." Check with petfinder.com, terrifipets.com, UAN.org for a possible list of lost animails as a result of the hurricane disaster. American Red Cross has a list of people missing. God Bless you.
Natalie Sturm, San Francisco, CA (Sent Sep 5, 2005 9:47:52 PM)
Now it is time to take good care of yourself. The heavens rejoice at your survival and He will take care of your mom and Miss Kitty. Seventeen years is a great long life for a cat and a testament to your loving care. God Bless!
B. Miller, Lebanon, PA (Sent Sep 5, 2005 9:49:57 PM)
Bill,
May the peace of the Lord be with you now in your time of sorrow. I pray also that your mother is okay.
Linda Gaskin, St. Ann, Mo. (Sent Sep 5, 2005 9:50:42 PM)
God bless you! Even though I don't know you my heart goes out to you. I am glad that you are ok and I will continue to pray for you and the safe return of Miss Kitty.
issyj, Seattle Washington (Sent Sep 5, 2005 9:50:49 PM)
Bill,I also have a cat named snoopy and I would feel very sad if I lost him for any reason. I hope you,your mother and all the people of New Orleans will be ok, God Be With You All.
Bobbi Martin Madera,Calif (Sent Sep 5, 2005 9:51:13 PM)
Your cat is a strong and determined creature Bill.I feel she will be ok. I pray for you and your mom.May God bless you.
Lorie M., Sudbury, Ont., Canada (Sent Sep 5, 2005 9:51:36 PM)
Dear Bill,my heart and my prayers are with you. I belive that miss kitty was your angel and that the lord was with you both. I love anmials and they have a very keen sence and the lord helped you both,I will pray for kitty and you and your family,keep your faith,God is always with you. God bless
Sherry Hower (Sent Sep 5, 2005 9:51:53 PM)
Bill I'm so glad you called upon God for help. You are testimony of His awesome grace and endless Love. Miss Kitty and Mom are not far away. Will continue prayers for all-------In Christ Pastor Al
Pastor Al Rodriguez Sr (Sent Sep 5, 2005 9:54:36 PM)
God Bless you and everyone who has been affected by the Hurricane. We will pray for you to be reunited with your mother and that that your cat that help save your life will be safe.
Debbie Schmidgall, Clearwater, FL (Sent Sep 5, 2005 9:54:38 PM)
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