Found at: http://twowheelsburning.com/article/articleprint/110/-1/10/ |
Hurricane Katrina devastates Pascagoula, MS |
I remain very concerned for my family in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Update: Thankfully, we have confirmed they are all alive.
UPDATE: FOUND ALIVE!
My Aunt Elizabeth writes:
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Our adventure
Date: Mon, 05 Sep 2005 17:17:38 -0500
From: waldorfd
Dear Folks,
We are touched by the many expressions of concern you have sent. Our warmest thanks go to you.
Thinking that further from the storm was safer, we spent Katrina with my aged folks in Pascagoula. This unprecedented storm blew in surprises. Whereas in Camille, the worst storm heretofore water did not get into my childhood house, this time we watched water climb around our knees up to 29”. To help each other we remained calm outside, with lots of anxiety within. My almost 97 year old dad, 85 year old mom, David and I were jubilant when it began to recede. The south wind pushing water on shore coincided with the high tide. The entry and exit of the surge took only about 3 hours. Pascagoula took a surge of 18 feet, further west it reached 28’. Unfortunately it brought in a generous layer of mud.
My step brother scooped up Dad and Mom Saturday taking them to his home in St. Charles, MO for a vacation. Back in Biloxi our house remained dry and today at noon power was restored allowing me to contact you. The high wind tried to transplant a large live oak into our house, but the house resisted.
We love you all,
Elizabeth & David
I received the following information very late on 01 Sep 05:
Subject: family survived at south Williams St. Pascagoula Date: Thu, 01 Sep 2005 19:11:49 -0700 From: Glenda & Vic Sims We just heard news that our loved ones on the south end of Williams St in Pascagoula survived their stay in the house. The house was half block north of Washington Ave - very near Beach Blvd. It suffered 5 feet of water, as did the north-side neighbor. They have water (not drinkable) - but no phone or electricity. We were contacted with the news by a good samaritan with a borrowed out-of-town cell phone. This person relayed to us that I-10 and Hwy 90 were both open from Mobile into Pasc. And the major streets into Pasc are open. We hope that this news brings hope to others. Glenda & Vic Sims -------- Original Message -------- Subject: THEY'RE ALIVE!!! Date: Thu, 01 Sep 2005 20:57:12 -0400 From: Laura Sims To: bob.sims You can breathe now. They're okay. Mom just called. Mrs. Westmoreland drove to Pasc. from Birmingham today. Mom talked with Eliz. and Elnora. Said that the grandparents are frail, but okay. A good samaritan went to Biloxi to check out Eliz. house, and it's in good condition, no flooding thanks to being on a hill. One tree down on a corner of a house, I think she said. Williams St. place had about 29 inches of water. They just sat in the living room in the water to wait out the storm. Eliz. is taking grandparents to her place tonight to sleep in comfort at her place. Tomorrow Elton is driving down to take the grandparents back to his place. They're okay! Mom had to say it a few times before I understood what she was talking about. Mom-n-dad haven't figured out when they are going down, maybe in a few weeks. Thank God! I love you so much, Bob. I am so incredibly thankful that they are okay, and Jack still has such a large extended family. xoxo, Laura Sims |
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| Four generations at Beach Park, Pascagoula, MS. |
"In Jackson County, mandatory evacuations were invoked at 8 a.m. Sunday for all areas south of U.S. 90 and in the Flood A zone and all low-lying areas. Darryl Goldmen, radio emergency community coordinator at county emergency management in Pascagoula, said all areas south of I-10 are "highly recommended" for evacuation." |
This may help a little... I was able to talk with U. David on Monday morning at 6:50 their time (on Williams St.). I could hear Aunt E. talking in the background telling U. David what to say. He sounded good but concerned. A branch was down in the driveway, but no other damage. A funny: I had to remind him who I was.. "I'm Bob's wife, Laura". We both chuckled a little, which is funny in itself, hearing U. David chuckle. It was pretty early to call, but I figured they would be up anyway. Plus I was afraid the phone lines might go out. |
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| Elnora and Victor Sims |
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| Vic Sims with his great grandson Jack. |
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| Vic Sims with his great grandson Jack. |
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| David Waldorf and nephew Jack. |
| Annotated NOAA image | |
| An annotated hi-res aerial NOAA image of Pascagoula beachfront damage. Image dated Aug. 30, 2005. | |