Revisiting Hurricane Katrina
San Carlos residents aid vicitms in Pass Christian, Miss.
By Veralyn Davids / Special to the Daily News
Tony Dedeaux, a young black man, rides a bicycle some 20 miles from the FEMA trailer where he now lives to help the restoration effort in Pass Christian, Miss. His teeth need dental attention, but that is the least of his worries these days. He survived the hurricane, but when he returned to "Pass," as the locals call it, only a fence remained on his lot.
He found his house about eight blocks away. His car was gone for good.
"My house had floated right over the railroad track," he said. Dedeaux admitted that after Katrina he abused alcohol and became so depressed that he even tried to kill himself.
"Now I'm just thinking the Lord will help me," he said, "and that this town will come back." As he climbed back on his bike, he added, "But I wish there was at least an AA group in town."
More than two years after Hurricane Katrina hit, Pass Christian, like most of the cities on the 23-mile stretch of the Gulf Coast, is still struggling. The victims are still reliving the fury of the storm and the collective loss. While progress has been made, grim reminders of the disaster are everywhere. Dirty, torn American flags, piles of debris, stairs that lead nowhere and dead trees are still common sights throughout the town. Here and there, the outside walls of abandoned homes have black painted messages such as "Save Foundation If Able" or "Don't Steal What I Have Left."
"Good Morning, America" and other news media have disappeared. But San Carlos has kept its commitment to help Pass Christian recover. Just days after Katrina hit, the San Carlos Chamber of Commerce - at the request of some local pastors - initiated an unofficial sister-city relationship with Pass Christian. More than 14 people from San Carlos, including Mayor Tom Davids, went to Pass Christian this month to help in the continuing rebuilding effort. Besides sending volunteers at least every six months, San Carlos residents and businesses have contributed more than $250,000 in dollars and supplies to Pass Christian, including surplus paint from Kelly-Moore valued at more than $100,000. They have also sent library books, jeans and gift cards.
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http://sanmateodailynews.com/article/2007-10-28-sc-hurricane
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