Personal Narrative: My Life After Hurricane Katrina

Take the time please, and imagine that everything is okay. I was outside playing on such a beautiful day. I was eight at the time, and was absolutely befuddled by the fact that this lady “Katrina” had everyone in my neighborhood frightened. Could this Katrina that they speak of really be this mean? Who does she think she is? At this point I was determined to meet this “Katrina” not knowing she would change my life without me actually seeing her. It was still morning, but all of a sudden the weather was bad. Thunder crackled and roared like nature itself was angry. It was gradually coming to me. As my parents watched the news in awe, I knew something unpleasant was about to happen. Then it happened, rain began to pour in stupendous amounts. Trees were rocking side to side as if they were in a church choir. I knew the electricity would not last long. We watched television while we still could, and there was basically an outrage. Gas prices were rising tremendously and lines were backed all the way to the highway. I must admit it was nothing like anything I have ever seen before. The south was basically in a panic. My parents told me of stories about how when they were young a similar storm also known as hurricane Camille ravaged the south. A couple of hours had
passed and the electricity had already gone out. All we had was a flashlight and a radio. The damage was devastating. We were forced to go without electricity and hot water for weeks. There was no way to take showers or anything. To eat we had to cook on the grill every night and save food. It was a constant struggle that the south as a whole had to endure. I understand completely that my family is not the only family that struggled during this time. Every other second I would here on the radio how kids were missing and lives were lost. Fortunate for us the water did not flood as high as it did in other areas. In areas like New Orleans, water was up to the roofs of houses and families were forced to stay atop of their houses until help arrived. After the storm was over and the rain and wind was gone, so was the spirit of the south.
Katrina left Mississippi in shambles along with New Orleans. Trees were scattered on the roads, houses were severely damaged, and it seemed as if no one was there to help. I remember as we passed by on the way home and we saw a family outside because their house had a tree that had fallen onto their house and they had no place to stay. Along with them was a very young kid that did not look a day over eight years old. It was an extremely sad sight to see. I cannot even explain the amount of damage that was before me. All I could do is look in despair and hope that I never have to live through such a catastrophe
again. The Katrina experience did not turn out the way I thought it did as you can see. Actually I hope I never have to meet a Katrina again. I have to admit although the damages were almost unbearable, did not keep the south and my home from recovering. 2015 marks ten years since the monstrous hurricane touched down in Louisiana. Making a full recovery together rebuilt the morale of my hometown tremendously because we had to rely on each other. I was only eight at the time and was naïve, but even I knew the lasting affect that Katrina left. I just pray a hurricane of this magnitude never have to be endured again.