Katrina Response Task Force
Hurricane Katrina was the costliest and one of the deadliest hurricanes in the history of the United States. Due to its sheer size, Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast as far as 100 miles (160 km) from the storm's center. The storm surge caused severe and catastrophic damage along the Gulf coast, devastating the cities of Mobile, Alabama, Waveland and Biloxi/Gulfport in Mississippi, and New Orleans and other towns in Louisiana. Levees separating Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans were breached by the surge, ultimately flooding 80% of the city and many areas of neighboring parishes for weeks. Severe wind damage was reported well inland.
At least 1,836 people lost their lives in Hurricane Katrina and in the subsequent floods, making it the deadliest U.S. hurricane since the 1928 Okeechobee Hurricane. The storm is estimated to have been responsible for $81.2 billion (2005 U.S. dollars) in damage, making it the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history.
Work, Worship, Witness
The All Saints' Katrina Response Task Force sponsors outreach trips, hosts educational events and recently created a video of their outreach efforts.
About Our October 2009 Trip
Here are the 14 folks from our Oct 2-9 All Saints New Orleans Rebuild Team, along with Elvia James, Senior Warden of our partner parish St. Luke's (center), and Ollie, our junior rebuild crew chief from Episcopal Community Services (ECS) in doorway. Fri we were treated to lunch at Boswell's Jamaican Grill. Bos is a St. Luke's member who lost his business and home after Katrina. Sat we worked on projects for St. Luke's members. That night, we went to "Arts for Arts Sake", an event with open galleries, performers, and great food and drink. Sun we participated in the spirit-filled worship at St. Luke's. Rev. Kevin Goodman preached and he did good! The service was followed by a reception for us and Mr. Basil Frasor, who turned 71 that day. We met him on our first trip in April 2006. Sun evening, we were feted by our St. Luke's friends, the Morris Jones Jr. family; we drywalled their home several trips back. Mon through Thurs we worked with the ECS rebuild folks on a house in the Gentilly neighborhood. During our orientation, we presented a check for $8,000 from Gumbo Stomp proceeds earmarked to the rebuild program. The rebuild crew was very grateful. We learned how to tape, mud, and sand drywall and hang siding. The heat index was 110; we drank much water. During the week, we were invited to dinner by Eric and Jenny. Eric is one of the very first Katrina responders. On our first trip, he taught us how to gut houses and take water breaks. Overall, we were humbled by the hospitality extended to us. We saw signs of progress but also observed that there is more work to be done. Stay tuned for an invite to a premier of Katrina Resurrection-a new video directed and produced by Kevin that features faith stories from St. Luke's folks and NOLA folks involved in the rebuild work.
For info, contact Joey Sylvester 773.761.8355 or jlsylvester@rcn.com