Stones Cry Out

My comment about the housing issue is this. I lived in Bay St Louis, MS which the whole town and the surrounding area is unlivable. So in my situation my house got some damage, but i feel could be repaired an a week once they got to it. But with my husbands job we may can relocate, but how to we handle our affairs from another state. Wouldn't it be better if we sold it to FEMA so maybe they could fix it quicker and have a house available to have for someone else. Also, if that wouldn't work..I would like to say that even if FEMA fixed my house next (NOT GOIGN TO HAPPEN, but for the story sake...)if they had it fixed well, the problem is that there is NO town to live in...ALL is gone there. Which brings up the problems of KATRINA is these are very different situations both in LA and MS. Plus it may take for ever for repairs as there is no were near our town for the workers doing reapirs to stay which poses another problem...i wish they would just by my house and use it and i can start over and they would save government money....think about it...

SORRY ABOUT THAT...DIDN'T mean to repeat my post ...oops

Cordelia, I empathize with your situation. You raise many great points and quesions. Unfortunately, there aren't many answers. My guess is that your community will eventually be rebuilt, but first they need to build interim housing for the workers or find places for them to live, such as your place.

Hi. I ran across this website just looking for others who had not received help from FEMA. As with your parents, mine lost everything. My brothers and Dad went to Gulfport after a week and a half post hurricane to see if anything was salvagable. I took Mom home (it will always be home) after staying with me for 3 weeks in Charlotte. We went as a family to stand on the "slab" that is there where we all shared so many special family moments. Looking around, it is hard to distinguish where one's yard ends and another begins. I close my eyes to try and picture what it once looked like. FEMA was contacted by my dad the day after the storm while they were evacuated. He knew he needed to get on the list because of the severity of the storm and the location of their home. FEMA sent them a letter stating that they did not qualify for housing assistance. The inspector's form had comments like: "Property not accesible", "total loss" and in the same paper also listed "not a hazard to live in". This was very poor in my opinion. We all understand that this catastrophe is far greater than any of it's kind of the past...but all they need is a roof over their heads. He didn't ask for special treatment. Dad mentioned that they are back on a list. No priority, no "we're sorry" for making such a gross mistake, only back on a list. We don't know how long it will take for FEMA to come through for them. Right now, they are relying on the incredible generosity of their friends-bouncing from home to home. Even though their house, our house, is no longer there-HOME is wherever my parents are. I didn't want to complain because I know that everything possible is being done to help all that are impacted by Katrina but I needed an outlet. I am thankful to God that my parents are safe, but they are still waiting for that trailor.

Katie Boyd
Charlotte, NC