Thursday, August 20, 2015

Brightest Moment, Darkest Hours...

As we approach the 10th anniversary of Katrina, everyone seems to have a story.  I found this blog that I posted on September 2nd, 2005…  

 

My Dear Friends,

 

Never have I felt as helpless or as worthless or as useless as this past week.  When the greatest disaster in the history of our city occurs, I cannot broadcast on either radio, TV or over the internet.  My wife and I are safe in Dallas where I will spend the next several weeks until told by management that FOX 8 will resume broadcasting.  The challenges we face are enormous.  My TV station took in 4-5 feet of water making it totally inoperable.  Our transmitter site in Chalmette was under 10-15 feet of water.  Our owners, Emmis Broadcasting, have assured us they will get us back on-air in some way.  We will probably be in a temporary building and I will broadcast out of our sister station in Mobile.

 

In the coming weeks, many of you will come home to find not much of a home.  We will be there for you even though we can’t be there for you now.  Once power and water are restored and basic services are functioning again, we will rebuild our community one neighborhood at a time.  Great character comes out when the darkest clouds appear.  Our city will shine again!

 

From my travels around after the hurricane, the Westbank seemed to fare the best, except down in lower Plaquemines and below Marrero..   Orleans & the French Quarter were OK…until the levees breeched!  Jefferson had lots of water damage, but the wind damage was not catastrophic.  Over to the North Shore, west of Covington we saw only minor tree damage.  The farther east we went, the greater the tree and utility damage.  Slidell south of Gause Blvd. had severe flooding, especially Eden isles, Oak Harbor, Treasure Isle.  It got even worse as I drove into Mississippi.  Diamondhead south of I-10 was trashed…crushed.  Debris washed up onto the interstate.  I could not venture down to the Gulf Coast, but you have seen the pictures.  It is worse than Camille.

 

Some of you can return home next week to access the damage to your property.   It will take weeks to restore power and basic services.  You do not want to come back until that happens as I went 4 days without showering or shaving and slept in hot, steamy, non air-conditioned buildings.  Please be patient and don’t come home too soon.  Get with family or friends to help defer costs.  Above all, stay safe and be thankful we have our lives and loved ones.  Coming home will not be an easy experience

 

What I learned later…Emmis Broadcasting had reached a purchase agreement with a Venture Capital group that was to close on September 12, 2005.  Katrina came on August 29,2005.    The agreement was cancelled!

1 comment:

Unknown said...

I remember that time well Bob....that was a great story to mark the upcoming anniversary....