First of 9 emails discussing the Chrstmann family's Katrina experiences

christmannemail1.txt

Hi to all... I just wanted to follow up and let everyone know that Noel and I and the kids (Carrie and Robert) are all ok. We're in Destin, Florida (in the panhandle, about an hour from the Florida/Alabama state line). We left New Orleans on Saturday morning (fortunately, ahead of the mass evacuation) and went to Pass Christian, Mississippi, where Noel's parents have a home. After her parents close up that house, we left for Destin on Sunday morning (again, just ahead of the mass Mississippi evaculation), arriving safely here Sunday afternoon. We're here in a beach front condo with Noel's parents and grandmother, and her brother (Trey, who many of you may remember), his wife and 9 month old son Lee. Its close quarters, and we lost power yesterday afternoon (it was just restored about 30 minutes ago), but its one *hell* of a lot better than some of the alternatives. Noel's sister (Renee, '95) and her fiance (a dreaded Michigan alumn) both work for one of the New Orleans area hospitals (Renee is a pediatrician, and Mike is a VP of operations), so they stayed in town to ride out the storm and work at the hospital. We've spoken several times with both of them, and I think they are extremely tired, sad and scared. Their hospital is apparently in the best shape of the metro area, so the other hospitals are trying to send patients to them. But they are also much smaller, and don't have the necessary supplies (including food and water), so they are facing an incredible dilemna that I wouldn't wish on anyone: accept new patients in dire need and possibly put your existing patients in peril? Please remember them in your thoughts and prayers As I said, we haven't had electricity for most of the last day, and we still don't have tv coverage. So we're really starved for information. What little bits we've picked up suggest that things are really bad in town. I'm actually happy right now that the tv isn't working, because if it was we'd be sitting and watching, and the last thing we need to do is see these heart breaking pictures. And our daughter Carrie is now almost 9 - and becoming aware of what is happening. I know I can't shield her entirely from the effects, but I really am scared of her watching over our shoulders and seeing the news footage. Last night she was crying about wanting to go home; I don't know when or how to start telling her that we don't know when we'll go home, or what we'll see when we get there. For those of you may have seen a CNN report about a breach of the "17th street canal" that flooded "the Metairie Cemetary and the country club" - we live 2 blocks from that canal, our back yard is that cemetary and we are about a mile from the country club. But knowing the lay of the land, I think that our house will be ok, I think we may have been in the path of an initial surge of water, but I think these areas of town are high enough that when the water settles, it will be elsewhere in town - in someone else's house. Please try and remember those people in your thoughts and prayers as well. We have *no* idea when we will be able to go back to town. We have offers for accomodations indefinitely here in Destin, and I'm sure we'll be here for at least a week. After that, who knows. Noel and I have discussed going to Atlanta where we have friends, and even going to Wisconsin to stay with my parents. We just don't know. I mentioned my father-in-law's house in Pass Christian; the actual eyewall of the storm hit from Slidell, Louisiana (which is slightly east of New Orleans) to Gulfport, Mississippi - and Pass Christian is right smack in between them. From what we've heard, Gulfport and Pass Christian may have been decimated. Noel's aunt lives in Gulfport, and she and her husband (a radiologist) stayed at the hospital to work. We haven't heard from them since 10:00 am yesterday morning, well before the worst of the storm hit. We are hoping and praying for their safety as well - please try to remember them in yours. I'm extremely thankful that I'm here with my family (immediate and extended), and that we are safe and healthy. We are certainly not the first families to face this kind of crisis, and we are so much better off than many who are still in New Orleans. So, whatever prayers you can spare, please use them for those who are still in harms way. Anyway, thanks for hearing me out (if you've read this far). It helps me a little bit just to type it. And sitting here at my computer trying to do some work helps keep me from sitting and stewing on the alternatives. In the meantime, I hope all of you are doing well, and hope to catch up with you in better circumstances soon.

Citation Information:

Paul Christmann, "First of 9 emails discussing the Chrstmann family's Katrina experiences." Hurricane Digital Memory Bank, Object #32 (November 16 2005, 10:21 am)<http://www.hurricanearchive.org/object/32>