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PC Trips
Trips to the Pass -- and Other places
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Trip to the Pass by Dan Ellis --- Sunday, April 22, 2007
I had stayed Friday night in Covington, LA before driving to Pensacola, FL to see my brother for a final time. My visit was somewhat short but necessary and he and other members of the family who gathered were all glad that I was able to make the 12 hour drive from Eureka Springs, AR. I returned to Covington and rose early Sunday morning to make my 11th trip to the Pass since 8/29/05.
As was customary, I first rode through Timber Ridge and was quite pleased to see so much green and many houses that looked lived in. There were but a few that still showed signs of serious disrepair and a few piles of debris that appeared to be new rather than from August of 2005. I had made my entry from Henderson Avenue and by the time I reached the southern main entrance, I found but little change to the houses there that were still not lived in and still remain untouched with the exception of the Scardino’s who are making their Grand Castle upon a terraced entrance way. As I drove toward my home along Fairway, most of the homes had been cleaned up or were in varying stages of refurbishment.
Of course, I was shocked to see the C. Bel site so gravely tarnished by a raised trailer on stilts. How common can people get but to be so contrary and flaunt their indifference. Clyde Bel, Sr. would never have allowed that to happen. I was glad to see that regardless of the Bel site, the adjoining property owners were trucking in dirt fill that showed signs of reconstruction. My lot, however, looked rather pitiful, plain, and showed that there was some dumping on it by thoughtless neighbors or workers. This brought to mind that it was going to be expensive to keep lots cleaned if others were going to drop their debris upon them.
Passing the PCI Golf Club temporary, I was happy to notice that the traditional Italian Open was about to take place. Mama Mia and all the revelry.
I then proceeded to Mother of Mercy Church where I had attended Mass for some seven years. Mass was being held in the Community Building while awaiting renovation completions. The Church is due to be re-opened on June 10, 2007 and will celebrate its 100th Anniversary on April 11, 2011. I was overjoyed by the warm reception by the church members. They are a very caring family with more than 200 Parishioners in attendance. Contrary to the unfortunate demise of St. Paul Parish, Father Endslow administers to his flock quite well.
As I drove along Scenic, it is tell-tale that most of the owners are waiting to determine the direction to pursue for their now vacant lots. There are sparse signs of construction. Second Street and North Street shows the promise of revival as new constructions are signaled.
In driving back out through DeLisle, the schools and the commercial developments easily pronounce that Pass Christian’s expansion of tax base is sitting there waiting for some action.
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Trip to the Pass by Dan Ellis --- Mon, March 6, 2006
Unabashed for being fearful of driving mountain roads with hairpin turns and elevation grades that give me jitters, I launched my return to the Pass on Sunday, March 5, making it my 10th trip since 8/29/05. It was just announced on TV that President Bush was also making his 10th trip to the Coast and New Orleans. I wonder if he sees what I see when I’m at the Pass.
I purposely targeted Sunday, hoping the traffic to be reduced, and it was. The whirlwind 3-day driving trip resulted in 10-hour driving days that cost me $182 in fuel and over-night lodging for two different nights costing another $130 — all for a 4-hour stay at the Pass for the right to Vote ($375 with cost of meals).
The MapQuest 13 hour drive from Eureka Springs, Arkansas to the Pass stretches to longer time due to my reduced speeds in the Ozarks and the Barrel-runs oaround construction work in Little Rock, Memphis, and Jackson that never seem to reach completions.
Having stayed at Collins, shy of Hattiesburg, the first night, I reached the Pass at 7:00 a.m. to make my first stop at Tommy’s Shell Station at North and Henderson streets, where I had morning coffee for four years prior to Katrina. None of the main players were there, so I went to the Kitchen Tent at Tent City where I sat for awhile to swap updates with four of my former coffee-mates that sometimes grew to as many as a dozen.
I then proceeded to Timber Ridge where I took a number of photographs principally of my now vacant lot and the surrounding neighbors. This was my first encounter with the now void location that I called home for so many years. I had purchased the house as a second dwelling in 1977. There were a number of items still strewn around even after the debris removal had been completed.
I was more fortunate than many other TR property owners in that when I did a major make-over of my home in 2002, I was required to have Flood Insurance by the Mortgage company. Although under-insured for replacement, I did get a final settlement which seems to eliminate the argument for wind damages in my case, because the insured amounts were greater for flood losses. I can only suggest to those with Wind Insurance — that they continue to get updates on the proposed $150,000 ceiling grant as put forth by the state of Mississippi.
I, like many others, have mixed emotions and unclear visions about the future of Pass Christian and my involvement with it. After Hurricane Camille, many residents took their insurance payments, sold their properties, and moved on to rebuild their lives. This is likely the case for many in this new cycle of devastations. During my three-month stay in Pensacola just after Katrina, I found it remarkable that in spite of the several hurricanes to hit that area, and recovery was still in process, that real estate values had doubled from the previous year. So there is hope! I don’t intend selling my lot, which is actually a premium location because it faces the Golf course and backs up to a canal off from Bayou Mallini.
On the other hand, I don’t intend living in a trailer while waiting till the cows come home. Nor am I married, or inclined to fishing or running the little white balls around to compensate my hanging around. Although I have a deep investment in the Pass and the Gulf Coast in general, and my roots are in New Orleans, — for the sake of my physical and mental health, I rather vacation in the Ozarks for a few more months.
Just today, I received an email from a friend asking what alternatives she had since her lot had just been cleaned off. After giving her advice, she wrote back that too much beach sand was in her sandles and that she needed to adapt a stronger attitude for patience in waiting it out.
After photographing both sides of my canal, I drove through most of Timber Ridge where houses were gutted or being gutted in preparations for sheetrock. After the walls are finished, the homes will be readied for new furnishings. This phase of recovery would normally be completed in short order except for the lack of building trade labor. Fortunately, there are some laborers who volunteer such services, but are far from being adequate to the huge task. Regardless, signs of improvement result in houses razed with lots having just the slab foot print remaining and the many more homes that can be recounted into the fold. Those who fight the issue of rebuilding to new flood elevation codes should pay regard to the many homes that were saved due to meeting improved wind and flood requirements.
I was hoping to see more folks in residence, but encountered only one jogger. Of course, Timber Ridge folks in retirement were usually late risers except for fishin and golfin. The Golf Club house hasn’t been touched, probably awaiting Insurance clearance, but the temporary clubhouse appears to be most suitable to the task and the greens seem to be in good shape.
I visited Sally James at the Library and met Evelina for the first time. She is doing an excellent job in putting forth the Gazebo Newsletter on a weekly basis. (Go to Newsletter Page to review the weekly issues.) It was great to see Sally and her staff of librarians being diligent to the task of amassing and cataloging so many books that have been contributed from all over the states.
I then went to Hancock Bank to straighten out my account and then walked to the City Hall trailer and became the first Voter to use an Absentee Ballot for the upcoming Ward 4 election. (Go to Vote Page to review the candidates who submitted qualifying information.)
Former Alderman Donald Moore will be sorely missed. But I know personally the agony under which he continued to make appearances at Town Hall meetings. The Alderman position is a thankless task and Donald, as an Evacuee like many of us, not only had to commute to his Law Firm in Gulfport, but also show up to Town Hall Meetings when even the Mayor was often not there. Donald is a young man with a young family and was torn by not being able to serve all with due attention. Donald’s weekly reports were vital to all of us, particularly when there were no other channels of information and no one else willing to step forward to provide the essentials. — Again, he did this on a volunteer basis.
And speaking of volunteers, Thank God for the overwhelming support that continues to come from so many regions of our nation.
Trinity Church on Left -- Reclamation Work Camp at Middle School Site on Right
Miramar Lodge with little signs of clean-up -- Right-> Relief Center at former Library
Temp Structures at Clark St on 2nd -- Right -> Kimball's slow Clean-up
Rear of Billy Boudin's at Davis St -- doing his own repairs
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Dick Jurisich wants everyone to know about his poor neighbor on Baywood in Timber Ridge
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Trip to the Pass “in Absentia” — February 27, 2006
It’s been three-and-a-half months since making an update to this page. My last visit to the Pass was on November 7th when, before leaving Pensacola, I had decided on a two-week trip to visit Eureka Springs, Arkansas. I arrived at a FEMA paid hotel room in the Inn of the Ozarks — with a newly purchased used car and a quantity of plastic bags representing my life’s savings. I would have felt more at home with my goodies in Schwegman bags.
As previously stated, after 11 consecutive weeks of trips to the Pass, I realized that condition changes were going to continue inexorably slow. Each week’s photographs had little change from one week to the next.
First, let me tell you a bit about Eureka Springs, Arkansas. After my first week stay in the hotel, FEMA representatives told me that I had until the end of the month to vacate and find new quarters. I expedited by renting an apartment with a minimum six-month lease. It wasn’t until after signing a lease that I received news that FEMA extended their GRATIS Hospitality program to all Katrina/Rita Evacuees. Regardless, I felt less of a Vagabond with a Rental Apartment in hand.
My next three-and-a-half months will be here in an extraordinary small Village of 2278 population having 2200 hotel rooms available for the Spriing/Summer Tourist Season. During the Winter, I have had the whole place to myself and the 2278 legal citizens. I am enjoying the opportunity of revisiting my memories of the original French Quarters as it was in my youth in New Orleans. The homes are mostly 1880s vintage Victorian architecture that cling to mountain sides along narrow streets that wind – up and down – in a Winter Fairyland all lit up with lights for the duration of the Season. The bottom floors of two- and three-storied buildings are all retail outlets for art galleries, gift shops, restaurants, and lounges. The hotels here are the same vintage of hotels that I wrote about as having existed in describing the “Gulf Coast Watering Places.” That’s enough about my difficult days here in such a grave state of trauma.
During the first weeks following Katrina, Evacuees wondered about their losses and what responses would be made to allow them to return to the Pass. As time passed, Evacuees had come to realize that with the loss of their homes they had nothing to go back to except the promise of a trailer, which never materialized for most. Waiting is not a salving balm.
Many email responses from Evacuees show that they have suffered the same experiences --- and continue to wallow in their frustrations while making habitations in apartment rental units scattered among many states. I have found that the news media, nor anyone else, talks about the Evacuees -- their emotions -- their plans. Actually, for the most part, Evacuees are confused, lack plans, and seem to have little hope in seeing the Pass or the Gulf Coast, return to what it was before 8/29.
I can't help but commend the stalwart spirit of those who remain in the Pass in spite of all obstacles. The more fortunate who were able to save homes that survived the winds and floods must still brave the continuing frustrations and turmoil of a city without a functioning mayor, a city that is losing a number of its most qualified government and administrative base -- and yet, these same folks invite others to share their dwellings and to provide cheer and comfort to those not willing or not able to return during the troubled times.
The Tent City, the Trailer Camps, and above all, the School System -- its Administration, the Instructional staff and yes, the Students -- are enduring and have become the sunshine that pearces the gloom and dust and debris.
Not to be forgotten, are the many volunteers who have provided so much by way of man-power, supplies, food, basic needs -- Not nearly covering all of them --- I urge readers to send their gratitude to the cities listed in "National Support" a page listed in the heading above. There are those who made a one time contribution and those who continue sending their support and prayers, and fond words to the citizens who awaken each day at the Pass, and who are the backbone of Recovery.
However, for the Evacuee "wallowing in wait," this is not a good place to be. Those who are affluent and have good health have many new opportunities to dispel their anxieties about what’s happening at the Pass. The older residents who chose the Pass for its Lifestyle, which apparently will not return any time soon, have little alternative but to move on to new vistas.
Many others, including myself, love the Pass come “Hell or High Water,” but have one foot in and one foot out.
Only time will tell where my destiny lies. I am planning on a return trip in the next few weeks to more closely assess the situation in the Pass, but I still have not been able to find a suitable contractor to rebuild what was once my castle since 1977. I was prompted to write this after shedding a tear for the razing of my Fairway home below.
Before Katrina Katrina did it! Bulldozed - Gone & Empty!
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Trip to the Pass -- by Dan Ellis -- Nov 7, 2005
I was being accused by some e-mailers of becoming stir crazy. I guess I was in denial because I fired back denying the issue. But they were right — I had indeed become Stir Crazy. Through the years, Pensacola has grown up, but not to my liking. “No Smoking” everywhere and even many of the saloons didn’t allow smoking nor did they even sell hard liquor in nearby spots. So I remained hotel bound.
When I would get out of my Pen, I was reminded how Edwin Edwards must feel when let out of his cell for exercise. After the first affects of Katrina, my anchor had become my computer — and slowly my computer became my master.
After making weekly trips to the Pass for 11 consecutive weeks, I realized that condition changes were going to continue inexorably slow. I was taking photographs that had little change from one week to the next. That reminded me of one of Billy Bourdin’s jokes about the Sperier Bar that survived Camille only to be torn down because it was rat infested. Billy laughed while stating that the five or six men that stood around the Bar everyday were like a photograph that never changed.
The rush of queries and seekers of information to the Katrina sites have become quite subdued in recent weeks, even though there continues to be some 125 countries downloading Pass Christian photos and information at a healthy pace. The site is good for them to get to know the Pass, but the purpose of the site was primarily to serve Evacuees from the Pass. Survivors who remained in the Pass had no electricity or telephones even if they were able to save a computer among their many losses.
My last trip to the Pass was last Monday, November 7. I had packed up all my plastic bags and my computer and my boots — loaded them into my car and told Pensacola goodbye. I stopped off at the Pass hoping to have my Insurance Pay off checks in my Post Box. Nada, nuttin, Ninc.
One of the numerous e-mailers was Al Hooks. His Beach House was wiped clean off the map leaving only Italian tiles as a marker for his foundation slab. Al had become one of the Katrina Slabbers who decided not to return to the Pass and had escaped to Arkansas with his dawgs and his folks.
Al had been bragging about his new abode as being a Bohemian village in the Ozarks. So, I decided to take a two-week break and vacation in the mountains while waiting for my Insurance checks, and waiting for my house and debris to be bull-dozed, and waiting for my sewerage, water, and electricity to be hooked up — and waiting for my long-promised trailer to be delivered since applied for two months past.
Lo and Behold, I’m here in Eureka Springs, Arkansas just a week, when FEMA storm troopers came to the Hotel where I am staying and presented me with an Eviction Notice. That was this past Tuesday, Nov. 15. But, that wasn’t enough, I hear on television that FEMA has run out of money to pay Flood Insurance and had instructed the Insurance Companies not to issue Flood insurance checks. Further, another FEMA person arrived at the Hotel last night to reassure me that I had until November 30 to get out, or be on my own payment plan. Great vacation news!
So, now, I realize that I’m nothing but “Katrina Trash” who was formerly an honored “Katrina Evacuee.” Now, I’m faced with another catastrophic dilemma as a “FEMA Evacuee.”
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Trip to the Pass -- by Dan Ellis -- Nov 1 My PC Trip dated November 1 started with rain almost all the way from Pensacola until reaching Pascagoula. This gave me doubts about having started out, but I diligently stayed the course. I had promised Sally James that I would pick up some photos to promote her Library funding efforts with a new website specific to her needs.
I stopped first at Espy Ave. for my mail. I was greeted with a Sewerage and Water Billing of $42 and some pennies and wondered if I had to analyze it as I have to do with other billings since I (like you) lost all prior statements with previous payments and balance forwards. One in particular I keeps baffling me is a Mississippi Power billing for $408 — even after being current with a payment of $165 on August 1st. The Statement reads Final Billing Delinquent after 10/19/2005. I wonder if they will turn my juice off. Further, I never did understand their charge for “Environmental Costs.”
Then, I foolishly got in line at a FEMA tent near the Postal Box Center off Espy. Even head to head and an hour wasted, I got the “Lack of Affirmative Response” as to a Trailer I signed up for 5 weeks past.
I passed by my house but the clay slime was too wet for me to even try to step through it. I then decided to check out the Meal Tent at Tent Village at the Playground park near the railroad tracks. It always bothers me to see these tents pop up and pop down. FEMA moves around, the PODs move around, and the Food Tent that was near Trinity is now gone and a new tent is up next to the other Meal Tent by the tracks. 
And with the thought of tents, those 80 tents that the Seabees so generously constructed some weeks past seem completely empty. I can understand why no one would want to stay in them for long, but this might be Pass Christian’s version of the Carribean Cruise Ships that no one wants to inhabit. In Military style, the tents are in straight rows and straight columns. You can send shoot an arrow through the first one and not hit anything as it comes out the last. Sally James is thrilled by her Library Trailer and is getting it organized. It is located in Memorial Park. And as for the Park, more and more trailer structures are anticipated to be placed there for business incubators. Water and Sewerage pipes are being strung along Fleitas for that purpose and along the Live Oak walk way.
I didn’t attend, but reports of the Saturday Party in the Park was attended by many hundreds and was very successful for the kids’ Halloween and Volunteers’ Welcome Party.
Timber Ridge had a Property Owners Picnic attended by nearly 200 on Sunday as reported. Check out the Events Page on the Website to keep posted. Boogie on (Off) the Bayou for St. Pauls’ is this Saturday. Things are poppin’!
Second Street is having a beauty treatment in having most of its debris taken away. Rightly so, It is now the most traveled street in the Pass. But, as houses are demolished by bull-dozing there is always more roadside debris. The Shell Station at North Street and Henderson is now pumping gas for Municipal vehicles and will soon be available for the general public. As an over-all summation. We have a long way to go in Clean up and a long, very long time to endure in the Recovery Phases. What we all want to know is, “What will Pass Christian look like in the year 2020?” See More Photos at Pass Nov 1
Trip to the Pass -- by Dan Ellis — Oct 25
Now falling into a routine, the trip from Pensacola at 75-80 mph is about 2 hours to the Pass. I took Exit #28 off I-10 to reach Espy to pick up mail, then proceeded to my house where my old Ford was left on the lot adjacent my property by Clyde Favre’s towing from Diamondhead where the car was flooded – but salvageable. I decided to use the car for storage of small items that I have been slowly finding beneath the mud, carpeting, downed Sheetrock, and disheveled furniture.
After storing my little treasures, I probed a bit further and what should appear were two items. A cellophane covered draft copy of my first and only novel — yet unsold and undistributed — entitled “And It Came to Pass.” However, I later changed the name to “The Lady in Red” – a murder mystery remaining unlitigated due to Camille’s destruction of forensic evidence. And, what popped up next — but a Hurricane Glass from Pat O’Brien’s. Weird! Or, as the kids say, “Awesome!” Two pre-Katrina hurricane items. Such or the omens of life. Dave Elliot had called the previous evening and wanted to do a taping in Pass Christian, his first visit there since the storm. He was appalled! I then treated him to lunch at the Village Tent City at the back playground park siding the railroad tracks. Knowing only two hands-full of diners, all the rest were workers from the world all over.
Rather than going back to root around at my house, which on the previous week I signed its death warrant over to the Corps of Engineers to bulldoze it to oblivion — I decided to take more photos of Scenic Drive and Beach Blvd.
I haven’t decided what kind of book, if any, I want to do about Katrina. What first comes to mind, is a take-off combination from two of my earlier books, “All About Camille” and “Historic Mansions.” Writing about Katrina would entail researching the entire coast from Alabama to Louisiana and then, what about Rita. That’s out!
With very little traffic on Hwy 90, I easily reached WalMart taking photos along the way and then went as far as Henderson Point which was barricaded at Lady Mary street. From what the aerial maps displayed and which I confirmed, there are only three structures that remain standing on Hwy 90, west of Henderson Avenue. The two new three-story concrete-block structures in the 900 block and the neighboring Sherman Castle that was built in 1920s.
From the previous week, I had left off taking photos of the past splendor and yet standing, McCutchon-Ewing house at 829 Scenic. Followed by the homes of Malcolm Jones, Chuck Ramsey, and the Danielson’s, and proceeding eastward to 1011, I found this covey of structures seemingly to be structural soundness except for one or two. Then, all remaining is in full depletion to the extent of Pass Christian city limits at WalMart. I returned downtown to interview George McDonald and Perry Harshbarger, neighbors who stood the storm and almost cost them the Big Ticket.
On completion, I decided to skip the City Alderman’s meeting which are now held at the Gospel Singers auditorium accessed from the 900 block of Second St. The Katrina website has become so popular that I have had to increase its bandwidth on several occasions and was down. I decided to return to Pensacola to get it back up. As a matter of interest, Pass Christian has been viewed all over the world. Affixed is a chart showing some of the countries and the frequencies of access.
Trip to the Pass -- by Dan Ellis — Oct 18-19
For the first time I stayed overnight in order to put in two days of scavenging for whatever I could find worth preserving. A few pictures here, a few books there, and a number of nic-nacs from my world-over mementos of bronze, brass, and carved wood. Very little was in condition to be saved. I was overwhelmed by the movement of items throughout the house. Some things were near where they were expected to be, while other items were found several rooms distant. Most interesting were items that were never part of my inventory and which had floated in from hinder and yon. I thought surely that I would find my huge Nigerian carved wooden mask, but apparently it floated off with all the clothes in my closets. It goes without saying, I lost my Map Collection, all my reference books, and ten years of handwritten notes.
I filed a permit form with Peggy Johnson to have my house bulldozed and debris removal by Corps of Engineers. You must complete a release form in person if the debris is not at curbside. Peggy has a Trailer in the Park next to City Hall Trailer -- her numbers are 452-3324 and 452-3316.
And, before leaving, I decided to take photographs of the remaining blocks of Scenic Drive east of War Memorial Park. The east side of Scenic, ranges from the 400s to the 900s, a distance of two miles --- I finally had to stop in the mid 700s. For some reason, I had been under the impression that "East Pass Christian" was in rather good shape. No one really said that ALL of Scenic Drive was as bad as West Beach Blvd. or as bad as Timber Ridge. I kept thinking that I would find some structures in good shape. But, my photos don't lie! From the 400 to the 700 block, maybe two, maybe three houses (Historic Mansions) are in repairable condition. I was so disappointed in finding this reality --- more than the loss of my own home.
Trip to the Pass -- by Dan Ellis — Tuesday, Oct 11
Finally having my Flood Adjuster appointment set for 9 a.m. on Tues Oct 11, I arrived slightly delayed because once I got to DeLisle, and having noticed more than usual security at the Dupont entrances, I was not permitted to proceed to Henderson Ave and was diverted back to Menge Ave. Even they didn't know that President Bush was scheduled there.
Waiting until 10:30, I finally called the Insurance main office and was told that the Adjuster had a flat tire and she would DEFINITELY call me by 12:30 p.m.
So I passed through town and took a few more pictures, one of which shows why WPSCO has gotten such a bad start in reclaiming more water and sewerage services. They lost a big portion of their vehicle Fleet.
I decided to have lunch at the Church St Cafe where I encountered Doris Butchert who said she was getting married next week in Gulfport. See what can happen when losing one's home?
In spite of the fact that most of the devastation is still there, my eye seeks out the changes. At War Memorial Park, the National Guard tents are gone and the Volunteer colorful tents were moved off Fleitas to the Southwest side of the park. A new City Hall is now located at Fleitas south of Second St.
I finally got my confirmation call from Adjuster Nel. She was confident that I was a 100% case and laughed when I said, "Mine is in pretty good shape -- you ought to see the others!"
I then had enough time to catch part of the City Council meeting. The first speaker was the Harrison County Civil Defense Director, Joe Springer. He stated that all marooned automobiles and boats that are on public or on other people's properties would soon be moved, but not before notification. They would be impounded at one location in the County.
More Photos on the Visit can be fournd at Pass 10-11.
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Trip to the Pass #6 by Dan Ellis — Thursday, Oct 6
It was Thursday, Oct 6, that I made my weekly trip to the Pass from Pensacola. This was my 6th since K-Day, and I was glad to find it shortened to 2.5 hours due to the repaired Pascagoula Bridge. The Board of Aldermen changed the City Meetings to Tuesdays and Thursdays for 4p.m. at the Fire Station off Lang on Second.
I decided first to go to Espy Street to apply for a Post Office Box – Steelie was the first person I saw hanging mail in the pigeon holes. I filled out a form and was guided to my box and issued keys — and that was that. Of course, I had to go back to my house to do another rummaging through my now familiar piles of debris. Again, a sense of seeking something befell upon me. I can’t count the number of pictures that I had already taken, but I still took more — making the place die with each finger click.
I then went through town to take photo shots of certain streets inquired by others through emails and I returned to Live Oak Cemetery to take photos after the clean-up. It was then, that I could see the extent of broken slabs and monuments to the glory of man. In a way, I felt good that I had documented all those graves in the Old Section which had the most distinctive marble markers. The grave plots that originally had bordered steel and cast iron fences now lent the appearance of giant pretzels that had been formed by the hands of the giant from Jack’s Beanstalk. Click Here for more on Trinity and Live Oak. On my way out of the cemetery drive, I met Jeremy Blauvelt who was engaged to be Assistant Pastor to Rev. Colby, just a few days before K-Day. I asked him if it was his mission to resurrect Trinity. He stated, “It is my mission to help Rev. Colby resurrect Trinity.”
I saw the line-up at the Big Tent forming so I parked my car once more and washed my hands in the outside bowl and got in a line with some 50 people in front of me. Some I knew and many I did not know. But, in discussions, many of us knew each other by name rather than by face. I always recounted through the years that Timber Ridge was a land of Zombies that belonged to specific tiers. The Golf Tier, the Fishing Tier, the Bridge Tier, etc. I wasn’t a Tier person, so I didn’t get to meet the zombies. I can’t help it if golf, fishing and playing bridge never excited me — and I figured if anyone let their lives be consumed with only that and not contributing in some way to the community — were zombies. Sorry, Neighbors, but glad to see you out and about.
In the line were Father Dennis Carver and Father Chris Colby. I promised each of them that I would post a “Donations Needed” page with their Post Office Boxes shown. After dining on hotdogs and hamburgers, I chased that down with half-dozen Budweisers. No – Just Kiddin’! – I proceeded to Long Beach where I met with Trey Campbell, later, Chipper McDermott, and still, later, my daughter, Cynthia, before returning to the Pass for the 4o’clock meeting.
I had attempted to find Otis Gates, Deacon for Mother of Mercy church, on previous occasions and finally had contact with him by phone when we arranged to meet at the Fire Station for 3:30p.m. We chatted about MOM church, explaining that I wanted to help raise money for it providing the Church would continue to be kept without renovations. Otis had received the blessing of Father Endsloe which would allow the church to continue to be the oldest extant Catholic Church on the coast remaining unchanged from the original construction. In April 2011, five years from now, the Church will be making plans to celebrate its Centennial. I want to be around, since that is the church I attend. Click here for SAVE our MOM.
I took a few photos at the 4:00 meeting, seeing many of the familiar faces from prior meetings and a number of new familiar faces.
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Trip to the Pass #5 by Dan Ellis — Friday, Sep 30
Yes, a one month anniversary (of sorts) since Katrina hit. The Aftermath is still very evidenced with very little signs of Recovery, with some exceptions. Only debris has been moved off the streets allowing more and more traffic to enter in and out. Temporary housing, mostly for the poor residents who remained in the Pass and for those who are still in shelters is being built by the CBs (see story in the NEWS section) in the baseball park behind the Tennis Courts and the Temporary City Hall has been established on the Tennis Courts. Hancock Bank has a trailer here and a Free Telephone Board is erected as well as a City Directory Board.
One trailer for City Administration and another for the Code office run by Peggy Johnson. There have been a number of concerns and questions about house demolition and moving of debris.
If you wish to have your house demolished, you must go to the Pass to apply for a permit to demolish on your property. Not knowing what information is necessary, I would suggest that you have proof of ownership more than a driver’s license. Insurance policies or a Tax Billing will do if you don’t readily have your deed.. Land line telephones are not expected until November. Supposedly, the Federal Government is paying for contractors to do the demolishing.
The Board of Aldermen have finally taken the lead at the “Town Hall” meetings. Chipper McDermott pulled out his own preprinted Agenda and passed it out and ignored the “Other Agenda.” They have slowly taken control away from the “Attorneys” who were preparing their own agenda. I did not stay for the whole meeting, but Meetings are held every Monday and Friday beginning at 12:30 p.m. at the Fire Station on Second street, and anyone may attend.
All the Aldermen have regular jobs as well as having to tend to their own housing problems along with the rest of us. Unfortunately, the Pass not only lost its physical infrastructure, but also the human infrastructure of service organizations, church groups, and individuals who participated on committees and commissions.
The Fire station is the only remaining City owned building – All the rest destroyed. Of the 8 fire trucks, only 1 survived and other cities have been sending some of their fire equipment manned by their firefighters.
Tent Cities are cropping up at various places, not only for personal shelter but for welcome services and Food, water, clothes, and miscellaneous supply distribution centers. These are scattered throughout the area and surrounding the Pass.
The War Memorial Park has gone through a complete change. All the debris and downed trees have been removed and Military tents are bivouacked in different quarters. However, the many monuments remain toppled or broken. The Tree Walk behind the Gazebo platform remains fairly well intact.
Not much is happening in Timber Ridge where my home is (was) except for those whose houses remain structurally sound and have removed or paid someone to remove the evidences of water damage including piles of furniture, etc.
I took a drive down Cedar Street where most of the houses north of the railroad are demolished or almost so.
But the worst is Bayview Street — EVERYTHING is flattened into splinters. I got permission from that guard to take a few photos, but a second Guard at Hwy 90 to Henderson Point would let me proceed other than for a photo from a distance.
I was asked about St. Paul Cemetery – Very bad. Besides the normal wind and water damage, four houses had become missiles further breaking the tombstones and will be more damaging when those dwellings are removed. I thank aldermen Chipper McDermott, Donald Moore, and Anthony Hall for much of the information flow in this report.
See more Photos in Pass 9-30
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Trip #4 to PC -- by Dan Ellis --- Wed, Sept 21, 2005
Arriving about 9:00 a.m. at the I-10 Exit 24, I decided to investigate the FEMA Trailer Processing area located in the former Flea Market site just off Menge – southwest of Exit 24. The parking area had about 100 cars parked there and I inquired of the person at the gate as to the processing time. After he cleared me as a resident of Harrison County having my FEMA ID#, he told me it would take about an hour and a half. Mentally, I doubled that and decided I could justify a 3-hour wait.
As I got in the line of some 70 or more people in front of me, Virgil Harris followed in behind me. We had a chance to bring up old and new points of interest, making the standing time easier. In all, it took us two hours, and after filling out the forms, we each received a control number for our precious rolling homestead. It is mandatory that the trailer site have Electricity, Water, and Sewerage. If not, then, as the case of Timber Ridge, Isles, Point folks, I was assigned to an 8095-Menge Road location. A Trailer Camp of sort. I have Tobacco Road in my visions. However, once your preferred site has the required utilities, the trailer can be moved.
I decided to get my trailer assignment as proof of a renewed Pass Christian citizenship and make further site determinations later as I proceed on my One-Step-At-A-Time Road to Recovery.
I was glad to see Peggy Johnson to chat with and got her to pose a picture with Virgil and me. She confirmed that there would be a Town Meeting at noon at the Fire Station on Second off Lang avenue.
I then went to Diamondhead to check on my flooded Ford and to get some things from it. On the return, I decided to use Exit 20 from I-10 passing through DeLisle. There was a lot of activity and new building construction taking place at that the Wittman Road and Pineville-DeLisle Road intersection. Crossing the two bridges to Acadia Road was a Check Point guarded by National Guard Sgt. Colby Sprayberry of Calhoun City, MS.
On entering the Pass, I first went back to my house to take a few more photos as suggested by my Insurance Adjuster. And from there, I took a photo of the PCI Golf Clubhouse after checking on my drowned Honda.
By habit, I stopped first at Billy Bourdin’s plumbing where he was holding Court. Two days after Katrina, when I last saw Billy, he was drawn and seemingly despondent. But, I could always tell when Billy is normal. His eyes twinkle and a broad smile crosses his face indicting he is ready to tell a joke. I had asked him if he had some spray paint so that I could put 2-3-2 on Al Hooks’ Italian Tile Patio as a signal to his Insurance Adjuster. Billy returned from inside with a half-can of Orange and then said. “Dan, you remind me of the guy who was here yesterday. He had heard that most of Martin’s Hardware Store was dumped in my back yard, so he was hunting up and down and around. Finally, I asked him what he was looking for.” The guy looked sheepish and then remarked that he needed Blue Paint – to that, I told him, — “3rd Isle, 4th Shelf !”
We laughed and then a young fellow came from the backyard and handed him a dirt-covered card which Billy cleaned off and gave to me when I told him I would post it to this site.
I then drove down Second Street and stopped at War Memorial Park. There was a Tent City in the Baseball Park and a row of BellSouth telephones for Free long-distance calls. On the Park side was Holly Ainsworth manning the Hancock Bank trailer. They were there to furnish information and cash checks. While chatting, Alicia Ellis strolled by as if it was any sunny day in the Pass. She had her pooch by the leach and a bonnet on her head. She mentioned that her home was not harmed and then smiled and jokingly stated, “Why did they have to pick this year to elect me President of the Historical Society.”
I then took pictures of Alicia and her dog and Holly with Mike Pavlisick — then, continued down Second Street to the Fire Station where the Town meeting was already in session. I greeted quite a number of the locals and all were in good spirits. The meeting was conducted in Council style with Aldermen Chipper McDermott, Lou Rizzardi, Joe Piernas, and Tony Hall present — and seated center but saying nothing, was the Mayor. Most of the Staff and Department heads were there as well as the Fire and Police chiefs. About 70 residents were in and around or coming and going. For the first time in my attendance to these meetings, I saw media — WLOX-TV.
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Trip #3 to PC – by Dan Ellis --- Wed, Sept 14, 2005
The trip to the Pass from Pensacola took three hours including the 8-mile creeping time to cross the Pascagoula bridge which has been reduced to 2-way-traffic on the north side span. Even though highway signs promote a 45-mph minimum, the rubber-necking fools continue to rubberneck when they see the construction cranes. Beyond doubt, repairs will probably take four to six weeks, or more, before completion.
I navigated first to Long Beach where my daughter and fiancé’s home was quite intact. They offered to help me do the grungy work at my house in Timber Ridge. We took Pineville Road to Demourelle then to Menge where just short of the Dixie White House Nursing home was the Check Point. Guardsmen from Indiana were on duty.
From there down North Street into TR were no more Check Points. After looking for several items of significance, which were not found, we carted off eight garbage bays containing mostly keepsakes of inconsequential value. In all, we spent two hours and I resolved that there was no reason to make a return to the house but to have it burned or bulldozed or accept whatever proposal the City officials offer. The house is completely totaled and all household and personal inventories left behind are coagulated to a state of hardened rubble. My decision to have it razed is in spite of the facts that there is a lot of personal assets that are trapped and would only be accessible by using a water hose to clean out the house thoroughly. But by the time water is available, the tons of debris will have turned to cement. Regardless, the ultimate decision may not be mine to make.
There were quite a few residents tending their house reviews. One was Capt. Roy Stoddard who was taking photos of one of his friend’s “Estate.:
I next encountered Harold Dawley at his Storage Complex on North Street. He stated that he was there for the duration and had purchased an RV and was staying in DeLisle. For those of you who are not aware, Harold owns a considerable amount of property on North Street near Henderson in addition to many acres of property north of North Street and Henderson
I proceeded to the Second Street Fire Station off Lang where I was greeted by many smiling faces. It’s good to be missed. There were about 50 people including all the Aldermen and a few others who had stepped up to volunteer some leadership or supervisory roles. Each alderman had contributed to the gathering and some of the residents addressed their concerns. Mayor BillyMac was seated and did not contribute to the meeting. I was late for the meeting and did not want to capture just a few comments taken out of context so I have nothing to report by my short attendance there.
However, I was able to maneuver Alderman Donald Moore to the side and gave him my contact numbers. I was so glad to see so many friends that I completely forgot to take photos of the meeting in session.
In summation, I don’t have any real reason to return to the Pass until an Insurance Inspector sets a time and date. I understand that FEMA has already made their visit to the site.
I suspect that every one is in a MAZE of 800 numbers and trapped in the world of Communication delays. Check also the CLAIMS page on this site for info.
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From: "Max Rodrigue" <rodrigue@loweengineers.com>
To: <Dan@PassChristian.Net>
What is the word on Pass access situation? We drove my uncle down on Saturday from Atlanta to see if he had anything left of his house. We were told he would need a pass to get in even though he was a resident. Of course you could not get a pass until Monday morning at 8:00 Fortunately we were persistent enough to find someone with access to at least let him look at his house, but he was unable to retrieve anything.
I don’t blame the MP’s, they are just following orders but the local police were useless. The young cop at the “closed” pass office told us there was nothing left and no point in going in, which we knew wasn’t true because we had seem photos on the internet. When my 74 year old uncle pressed him for answers to some basic questions about who was making decisions, the cop told him he was tired of his “complaining”. He made these comments while relaxing in the shade with his feet propped up on a cooler sipping ice water, not an appropriate comment in my opinion.
We would like to come down with a trailer and cleanup and salvage what we can, but I have to say last Saturday was total chaos in terms of organization and who’s in charge My uncle is concerned about losing what little he may have left as we were unable to weatherproof or secure the house in any way. I have heard there were complaints about the whole Pass situation and there may be changes made. What is the word locally?
Thanks for any information you can provide and I hope you are safe and on the road to recovery.
Max Rodrigue
Lowe Engineers LLC
2000 Riveredge Parkway
Suite 400
Atlanta, Ga. 30328
Ph. 770) 857-8417
FAX (770) 857-8401
rodrigue@loweengineers.com
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Trip by Brenda Blackwell on Friday, Sep 9
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From: JABBABBLK@aol.com
To: danellis3@juno.com
Dan,
Got to My House Yesterday. Had to Go Yesterday , Fri.( Although They Said We Would Not Be Allowed in until Sat.) Mc Calla, Where I'm Staying with My Daughter, Is Five Hours Away, So Had to Have My Kids Drive Me Because I Cannot See to Drive in the Dark. We Left Here at Here at 4 A.m. and Got to the Coast at about 9.a.m. Encountered Road Block near Menge & Arebella. Told by National Guard to Go Get Pass on Some Street Nobody Has Ever Heard of Can't Even Remember the Name Right Now.
We Ran into Someone We Knew and Followed Him In. No Guards or Anything Else at the Back Entrance. Every Thing on the Living Floor of My House Is Totally Ruined. Mold Growing Everywhere ,Things Tossed by What I Assume Is Flood Water. The Water Rose 5' on the Main Level Where Most of My Expensive Stuff Was Located.
Upper Story My Bedroom Seems Mostly Okay. Before I Went, FEMA and My Insurance Co Said They Could Not Proceed with My Claim until I Could Tell Them of the Damage. Called FEMA Agent Today and He Told Me That He Was There Friday and Saturday. I Tried to Call Him Several Times on Friday with No Success. Now He Tells Me That They Have Closed off Subdivision to Every Body Again and Would Not Let Him or Anyone Else in until Later next Week. He Told Me That My House Was Listed as Unaccessible and Was Put on the Back Burner for Now. Told Me I should Contact FEMA Have Tried for Hours, Both on Line and on the Phone, No Success. This Is All a Big Bunch of You Know What!
I Thought I Had Plenty of Insurance (Have Both Homeowners and Flood) but Have Just Found out That My Damage Is Flood and Is Only Covered by Quite a Bit less than Homeowners. More Later... Have to Get off Line. Now
Brenda
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Trip by Dan Ellis on Wed, Sep 7
Return to the Pass
It has been a long, long, long, week with days running into each other and which seem to overlap upon each other. What day is it and was it yesterday or the day before that such and such happened.
Any way, this is a report of my second trip to te Pass, and still have not had time to detail the first one.
From Pensacola, I left with about a half-tank of gas in my newly purchased used Cutlass, picked up during my 2-day stay in Alabama. On the Road at 6:30 a.m. on Wed, Sep 7, I felt most grateful to find gas at Tillman’s Corner just west of Mobile’s Exit 17.
On the earlier trip from Diamondhead to Gulf Shores, there was a mandatory detour from I-10 to Hwy 90 due to damages to the Pascagoula River Bridge. I was elated that the detour was discontinued, but elation turned to dismay when I got caught up in “slowed to a creep traffic,” bumper to bumper. From Gauthier (GoChay/GoShay) at 8:00 a.m., it took 50 minutes to crawl past Pascagoula – single-file in two-way traffic. The south side Pascagoula bridge had been closed.
I turned off on Exit 24 to Menge and nearing the Pass, I was stopped by Guardsmen and police for a credentials check. I proceeded to North Street which was cleared of all the houses that had straddled it during my first trip on Aug 31. I continued all the way to Timber Ridge where Deputy Sheriff’s stated that I could access Timber Ridge — in spite of the fact that I had an unidentifiable automobile with no license plate. He seemed more intent with making sure that no one could drive west to Henderson Point and the Isles, which was limited to walking access.
I could have driven anywhere in TR, but headed straight to my home, “HOME?”
I could have taken whatever I wished, if I were a looter. In fact, I did take a few things to my car. A few items were strewn about, that any looter without searching the debris could have taken. These were mostly art pieces worth a few thousand. (Pre-Kristina)
I took pictures inside, around back and the front of the house. I now impart the following, not as an insurance claim, but to let some of you to know what to expect in Pass Christian. If you are prone to trauma attacks, don’t go!
Firstly, All those aerial photos seem to show much less damage than the reality of what happened. However, in the case of the aerials of my canal area, I could clearly see that Jimmie Bel’s house and the next two toward my place had severe damages, which clued me in on the condition of mine.
Without shock, I found my house completely pushed of its pilings and dumped to the ground as if it had been a ground-level dwelling (slightly tilted and angled and somewhat mangled). My specially engineered stairway was dumped into the lot next door. No matter, I didn’t need it since I was able to step up to my porch and swing a leg over the railing. The front double-doors had been punched out by the overflow of inside carpeting and furnishing. The large Grand Room was cluttered three-feet deep with layers of wet dry-wall, carpeting , and furniture that was unseen due to debris that did not wash away with the subsidence of flood waters. My bedroom was in the same shape with the doors off of my large closet left bare of clothing. My bed mattress was on its side – reminding me that it was time to flip it over as I did on a quarterly basis. All the interior doors were unhinged or knocked down. The bathroom was knee-deep in many small items that seemed to have clung together for shelter.
The second story back door was pushed into the kitcen and the refrigerator was topled over.
The bedroom and living room ceiling fans were hanging naked of their blades.
My stairway to the top level was skewed but safe to walk up. My third floor office bedroom was actually in pretty good shape. The trundle bed was exactly how I remembered it last and items on my desk and on the entertainment unit’s shelves were intact with minuscule items. It came to mind that I could have rode out the storm laying in that bed. Of course it would have been a bit of a wild ride when the whole house escaped its pilings to land on the ground. Regardless, everything was dry and the only damage to that room was the broken window panes. I was able to secure my important documents and insurance policies — all stored in the desk drawers.
I then explored my Penthouse (a Mother-in-Law apartment consisting of a large bedroom, combination living room/dining room, kitchenette and bathroom). Everything was high and dry except for being a bit tilted. Walking through it at that angle reminded me of the old Pontchartrain Beach Amusement Park’s Laugh in the Dark’s Crazy House. Some people may remember what I mean.
Before leaving my house, I posted an American Flag on the front gallery along with the cloth drape that was made for the dedication of several Historic Markers that were put up in the Pass during 1999, and later. I positioned this on the other front railing. It reads “Historic Marker”.
At 10a.m. and having made a few trips to my car, I was plumb exhausted. It was very hot. Having been asked to visit several places, I first went down Fairway to Basswood to Baywood. All the houses had varying degrees of damages. All of them having different graffiti markings. An X means vacant. But in the 4 quadrants of the X, other markings mean different things. Haven’t figured it out yet. My house has “OH” in the top quadrant, and an “O” in the bottom quadrant of the X.
At Baywood and all along Bayou Malini (I still prefer to call it Bayou Boisdoré), the houses are flattened. They are just plain piles of lumber and debris. I took pictures of all of this, but none came out.
I returned to Fairway where I continued to click photos (but which were not captured) of Clyde Jimmy Bel’s place at 217, the Bradley’s at 219, and the Helmer’s at 221 Fairway in the Elbow curve. I can only surmise that the 200 mph winds shook and loosened the houses all along Malini including our Canal (which is actually an off-shoot bayou from Malini) Then came the surging Tidal Wave (stated as 30 feet) that plied over the west end of the peninsula and mauled over all the homes in its path. However, there was less damage on Malini south of Fairway from the Elbow curve. I can only presume that there was a simultaneous burst of water rise from the Bay that ceased once it hit the area around Clyde Bel’s house. The houses on the north side of our canal were not as badly damaged as the south side.
On the other hand, an observation must be made for all the new and newer homes built under more severe building codes than when the cluster of homes in my immediate Fairway area were constructed. Almost every one of the new homes sustained the thrust.
The PCI Golf Clubhouse is in such bad shape that it will probably need new construction. Wouldn’t it be great for the TRPOA and the PCIGC boards to agree on a mutual structure to benefit all. When I first arrived in 1976, the Club house was the central core of fun and activity.
Proceeding to the entrance along Fairway, I observed that more damages were incurred to waterfront properties than Golf course lots. And Golf lots seemed checker boarded, where every other house was damaged more than its neighbor.
Once out of Timber Ridge, I proceeded to the reality of the Pass.
A visit Downtown
Upon leaving Timber Ridge I noted that there was a Salvation Army Truck attempting to negotiate entrance. I didn’t stay to see their effort, but I assume they left some water and light foods as an Oasis for the many who had to leave their cars to seek out their property on the west side of Cedar Street.
I stopped at the Shell Station at Henderson and North Street (where I had morning coffee every day for the past two years except for Christmas Mornings and the Hurricane Dennis Evacuation false alarm. On my earlier trip to the Pass, a house had been shove into the jaws of the Convenience Store section having ducked beneath the front Arcade. The Shell Station was now a Command Center for National Guard and out-of-town Police Departments and Fire Departments. They were unloading supplies and vehicles and sundry items. To the rear were National Guard tents and porta-potties. They all had hand-held radios communicating with each other and the world.
Lo and Behold! The Snowball Stand at Henderson and North intersection was totally saved without a mar. However, caddy-corner, almost all of the trailers of Sammie Barnes’ empire were heavily damaged. He also joins (used to) us for coffee every morning, where we call him the Black Donald Trump of Pass Christian.
I drove down North Street to Fleitas Ave to stop at Second Street and Davis Ave with intentions of visiting my buddy, Billy Bourdin, the Plumber turned historian. I had first taken some photos of War Memorial Park with its disheveled Live Oaks bare of leaves. There was a large crate of drinking water which reminded me of the free-flowing Artesian wells that served the same purpose during Camille. The water-crate fronted the corner where I had spent many hours helping Bill Kidd refurbish the Scout Hut back in 1997. The Hut once again was recently renovated by the Rotary Club – but to no benefit – the entire Hut is gone without a sign of it ever having existed.
Billy Bourdin was not there, obviously evacuated by his children to more comfort than when he was “King of Survival” following Camille’s wrath when he stayed the course. He had sent the stubborn aged and infirmed to Hattiesburg in 1969. This was his turn to leave. When I saw him on my first trip last week, he seemed quite despondent for the loss of his photo and hanging file collections. Fortunately, he heeded my requests to have Jessie Hietzmann computer-scan almost all of his photos. But his diligently kept paper documents are most likely lost to the flooding.
In hand with my camera, I kept clicking photos that would be placed on the Katrina Web Site. Ho! Ho! No such luck! To no avail, I captured no pictures as I snapped all the following observations. Lucio’s Mexican Restaurant had been pushed onto Second Street from Katrina, but was now mashed back in place by bull dozers. Steve Saucier’s State Farm had a sign in front about making claims elsewhere. Martin’s Hardware was collapsed. Jackie’s Kids Apparel in the former Hancock Building had no apparel. The Hancock Bank seemed stalwart with empty windows and empty doors. Russell’s is but a shell, but proudly bore an American Flag.
The Hancock Bank Drive-thru was converted to a Command Post for State Police who apparently were placed in charge of guarding Hwy 90 and Beach properties. The Compass Rose apartments had been built following Camille – now, only to suffer their 36-year-existence losing several folks who were taking out their left-overs. Regardless, the condos seemed structurally intact.
But, Whoa, my favorite of all properties, the Union Quarters, 223 E. Scenic Drive, was completely, completely, and most completely — gone forever. Even the Historic Marker in its front lawn was gone. Heinz and Frances Hoffman were in process “Pending” of selling it. They had apparently visited their loss and left a plywood sign that reads, “This is 223 with the sketch of a heart. Very characteristic of Heinz’s dry wit. Interesting that the new pool Cabana was left standing.
Just caddy-corner on the south side of Scenic was the beautiful Beach House built by Al Hooks and his Mom and Pop. It was then, that I concluded that the Tidal Wave had pounded in from the Sound and scooped up not only Al Hooks’s place, but also Heinz Hoffmann’s and the Knost Home as well as the Old Town Library and Historical Society building, lifting them all onto its crest as if feathers and carried these structures from their foundations to land even past Second Street somewhere northward in disassembly. My reasoning is that the structures behind those disappeared buildings remain mostly intact. Even Al Hooks Volkswagen, parked in front of his place had to be scooped up and floated to another parking place.
The Hillyer House, the prize of the effervescent mother and daughter team, Katherine and Paige, remains begging them to return to reestablish a place that has received many national honors due to their noble efforts. Although empty downstairs, the upstairs sits as a chicken on spindly legs looking to roost. And next door – the cement vault of the Historical Society appears much as a mausoleum.
St. Paul Church, St. Paul Rectory, St. Paul School, St. Paul Gymnasium – There, but not there. The Flying Pigs of FiFi Dubois have all flown away along with the recent renovations to the old historic Adam House where once the Beacon Newspaper was put to bed.
Walking back on Scenic Drive to my car at Davis and Second, I appreciated the view of the calm horizon above the blue gray waters, but as I stepped over broken clumps of street and avoided downed power wires, I captured the void of the Yacht Club and Mc Donald’s below the ridge, in addition to a nostalgic tug for the missing Toby’s Hideaway turned Perry’s Beach Bar — and then a negative thought popped up, “Well, at least the ugly DeVinney place is also gone!”
At Davis and Hwy 90, I walked out on the sand beach to check out a plastic tent surrounded by elements saved from the turmoil. I yelled out, “Is anybody home?” No answer. On my prior trip, I had seen a young couple wading in the surf. Must be the same.
On the way back on Davis I was hailed down by Phil Terrell former Superintendent of Schools, followed by Ed MacDiarmid who was delivering Special Issues of the Sun Herald.
I was getting overcome by the heat and welcomed the air-conditioning of my car as I proceeded to the Second Street Fire Station. There were cars parked all around as I encountered the Command Post and “Little City Hall” of Pass Christian. Thelma Pulkowski greeted me with a hug and a hearty handshake from Jack Lang. For the first time I felt that I was home. I asked Thelma about her nephew, Alderman-at-Large Chipper McDermott, who then popped his head out of the doorway and yelled, “Dan, don’t let Aunt Thelma leave!”
Then, Aldermen Joe Piernas and Anthony Hall arrived. I then realized that I was not going to get an audience with anyone for some time. I decided to return to Pensacola and escape the growing heat.
But, first, I wanted to check the section of Holiday Street at the far east end by Walmart. There were so many tree cutters along the way causing a back up of traffic, that I turned into Espy and drove to the Beach. It was desolate. It was flattened. The large drive ways on adjoining corners opened to empty lots. With one exception, one black vehicle was half-buried in a hole.
On the way out, I reflected on the many Power Company trucks I had seen, more than 50, and a fresh motorcade was entering with at least a dozen more with their cherry picker cranes. There were also a number of Bell South vehicles working the area. Almost all the streets were cleaned. And trucks filled with debris were carting off refuge while others were trimming the fallen and faulty trees.. I then realized that all of these companies were quietly working to restore the Gulf Coast while New Orleans was being de-watered, presenting that city as a much lesser priority in reviving power — regardless of its limelight in notoriety.
After a much longer delay at the Pascagoula bridge, I refueled at Tillman’s Corner and got back to the motel at 8:00 p.m.
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Marilyn Kelly reports Thurs, Sept 8, that:
JERRY managed to get in the isles, our house is gone, the hut is gone, the 1 level house also. the hse on Elm is still there. just needs cosmetic.
Royal Pines is still there, only flood first floor. Jerry Jr's new house on Kelly Cove is still there, in good shape. My houses in the Bay are there with some fld dmg
New Orleans -- we have some flooding, but our residences are fine.
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My name is Warren West
August 31, 2005
I'm a teacher at Pass High School. On Wed, two days following the storm, Coach Causey and myself went back to the Pass from northern Miss with some gas and supplies. We encountered several people from the Delisle area including some of the Bowser family. We also hooked up with our resource officers from the schools, officer Cuevas and Officer John Willie, we were able to get ice and water to many down in the heart of town and some who stayed through the storm and survived, I can only say that our beautiful town no longer exists. Television and pictures will never tell the destruction and sights we saw that day. Here is a list of some of the things we witnessed. Hope this is information that many of you are looking for.
**South of the railroad tracks is complete destruction, only a few homes on 2nd still standing but with significant damage.
**Pass Middle School--complete loss, a pile of debris.
**Pass High--water 12 foot hign throughout the building.
**Pass Elem.--gutted out by water and destroyed.
**Homes on North street destroyed, many moved off pilings and sitting in streets.
**Downtown businesses and offices--totally wiped out.
**All beach front property--gone
**Harbor area littered with cars and debris.
**Highway 90, unusable.
**Delisle area, hard hit with 10-20 foot waves depends on the height above sea level.
**Delisle Elem.--extensive water damage but usable.
**Cemetary--uprooted coffins and tumbled headstones.
**Schools administrative office, heavy water damage.
**Post office--water damage
**Police station-gone, several cruisers lost.
I think this tells the story, may god bless you where ever you may be.
Now its your turn -- Who's next?