Support
Explore
Shop
Get your ETV Favorites and help to purchase programs on ETV & Radio at the same time! Check our lists for a DVD or VHS of vintage ETV programs, CDs, books, prints, mugs and much more!
About ETV
Updated July 5, 2007 10:57 AM
Video on Demand:
Watch Holly and Scott on
Care from the Heart.
E-mail your questions to Holly Bounds
PBS/NPR Hurricane Katrina Resources
For ten days following Hurricane Katrina, ETV covered the effects of this major natural disaster on communities in Alabama and Mississippi, shadowing S.C. relief groups, including the Palmetto Chapter of the American Red Cross and other charitable organizations, to find out how we are making a difference in the regions that have been so devastated by the hurricane. Reporter Holly Bounds and producer/director Scott Grooms from WJWJ-TV, the ETV station in Beaufort, departed Friday morning, Sept. 2, and will be based in Montgomery, Alabama. Each day, they will travel into the coastal areas and shadow relief groups to find out how South Carolinians are making a difference in the regions that have been so devastated by the hurricane.
ETV Radio Reports and Podcasts
Learn more about podcasting from NPR.
9/9/05 Report (02:48; 2.57MB)
9/8/05 Report (06:04; 5.56MB)
- Audio file: On the road to Pascagoula; sleeping in a van with a paper towell roll pillow; abandoned, dying pets
On the road to Pascagoula; sleeping in a van with a paper towell roll pillow; abandoned, dying pets
9/7/05 Report (04:48; 4.4MB)
- Audio file: Stuck in bridge traffic on the way to Biloxi in search of the National Guard
- Stuck in bridge traffic on the way to Biloxi in search of the National Guard
9/6/05 Report (01:21; 1.23MB)
- Audio file: S.C. National Guard; S.C. power companies; Katrina, thanks for nothing
- S.C. National Guard; S.C. power companies; Katrina, thanks for nothing
9/2/05 Report (01:13; 1.12MB)
- Audio file: Gas prices up; stations out of gas; lite traffic.
- Gas prices up; stations out of gas; lite traffic.
Holly's Blog
9/11/05 - Final Day
Well, the cliché proved true that we "saved the best for last." Of all my experiences this week, today's was the most special. Scott and I went to various towns to pick up final shots we'd been meaning to get all week. We ended in Long Beach, MS, which is being "adopted" by Beaufort, SC. Since that's where we're from, we had a special interest in that town. We got some shots of areas with destruction and were about to head home. But before we did, Scott saw a convenience store that would really make for interesting video. We didn't know we were about to walk into the most touching story of the entire trip.
Anna Vu is the biggest example of gratitude I've ever seen. She was born in Vietnam but lived most of her life in California. There she worked at a dentist's office, but wasn't pleased with the amount of time she was able to spend with her children. She says it's important to spend a lot of time with her boys at their young age to make sure they choose the right path in life. With that in mind, she and her two boys packed their bags and headed to Long Beach where they would all help run Pineville Mart. It was a family business indeed; in fact, nine year-old Christopher was still trying to sell the best egg rolls in town, despite the fact there was no way to make them. Anna and her family opened the business on July 4th of this year. A day later Hurricane Dennis struck. And two months later, she and her family are now struggling to get through the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. They have no home left. And nearly no business left. No money, no clothes. All they have is each other. The nights of and after Katrina, they stayed in a shelter at a nearby school. But because of all the people and circumstances, Anna didn't feel that was a safe place for her children. So now, they're staying with some friends down the road, hoping soon something else will fall into place.
To be quite frank, Anna hasn't had any luck in the past few months. Nearly nothing has gone her way. But believe it or not, Anna is now spending her days at the store, which has no air conditioning or front wall. She and her son are sitting in chairs waiting for her old customers and others to come by. Even though she needs money now more than ever, she knows everyone else is in the same situation. She's been keeping drinks cold in a cooler and handing them out to people who stop by. Any items left in the store are free for those who need it. Anna laughs as she tells stories of her encounters with southern slang. A young man ran up to her asking if she had any dip. Anna smiled, knowing she had just what he needed. She ran back up to him holding a jar of salsa for chips. The man then described he meant tobacco.
Anna's son Christopher is following her pattern of kindness. The nine-year-old, who loves math and Cartoon Network, has a sweet manner that will boost anybody's attitude. He helps her at the store and is ready for it to be rebuilt so he can get back to cooking. He loves cameras and interviews and wanted to make sure Scott and I knew he didn't cry that all his toys were gone, but his older brother did.
The whole time we were there, Christopher held a can of spaghetti he picked out from a donation shelter. He loves spaghettti, and the character whose shape the pasta is in. That was the only food Christopher picked out when he went. Mainly because Anna told him not to be greedy and save some for the other children who needed it more.
It was really hard for us to leave Anna and Christopher. They both gave us hugs when we left and looked just as sad to see us leave as we were. Christopher insisted we take a to-go menu with us so we'd know exactly where they were when we came back to visit. And they promised we'd get the best egg rolls, on the house.
What an encouraging way for Scott and me to end this journey. A lady and son who have nothing are spending their entire days waiting on people to come by who they can help. The town of Long Beach seems to be in just as much need as Anna and her son. But as the sign says, they will be back—bigger and better. It's the little things that told the stories this week. A lot of them were through those homeade signs. It started with "You loot, we shoot." Business and home owners were holding everything they had left dear to them. 
Another, "Katrina, thanks for nothing." I've referred to this one a lot this week because it's so true in a lot of aspects. I don't think I quite understood the true meaning of nothing until I saw the remains of some of these houses and businesses. Another read, "Katrina is gone, but we'll be back." Thank goodness, most of these people have this attitude. They're putting the disaster behind them and pressing on. With that outlook, I believe they will come back stronger than ever. 
And finally, the last sign we saw today read in broken grammar, "We love our Soilders. Hi, 5 4 all our out of town help. God Bless u." People from all across the nation have put their daily lives and priorities on hold as they answer the call from our neighbors in need. I'm especially proud of my home state. Little moments stand out in my mind with each South Carolina group we met.
Officers Haynes and Staggers went above and beyond to show us the area for the first time. They are both so ready and willing to serve, and truly represent South Carolina Law Enforcement at its best.
Patrick Blackman and his team from MedCare made major sacrifices during their stay. They arrived with plans to eat MRE's, not take showers, and sleep under tarps. I believe they were rewarded for their genuine interest to serve by having a business owner overhear them talk and offer them a place to stay.
Gary Goodwin and Jonathan Dicks of Aiken, SC's Twin Systems are making sure every area Waffle House is in working order as soon as possible. For many evacuee's, this was the first hot meal they were able to get after a week.
Kelvin McGill, of Marion, and the rest of the Pee Dee Electric team are working long hours and strenuous conditions to restore power to the affected communities. They, along with Palmetto Electric, told us their goal is to get the lights back on in these houses, no matter how long it takes. One of my favorite sayings of the week came from Kelvin, "It's from the heart." The South Carolina Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue Team is made up of 65 men and women from all across the state. They're getting three showers a week, sleeping under a closed bridge and entering some of the most dangerous and devastated areas to complete their mission.
And Kevin Kirkpatrick of Columbia is doing a big job that often gets overlooked. All day he's out rescuing animals that were left out in the storm or wandered from their owners. He's helping reunions happen and getting the animals into safe habitats.
Had we stayed longer, we could report on group after group from South Carolina. You all have really stepped up to the plate and should be commended for your efforts. But as time goes on, so will our normal lives. It's important we remember what our neighbors are experiencing and help as much as we can. A resident here described it to me in a way I understood. She said when the Tsunami hit she watched the television and said "Oh, I feel so bad for them, I wish I could help," and went on with her life. Now, she says, she's living that experience, and next time, she'll not just talk about helping, she will.
As South Carolinians, we know this really could happen to us. If or when it's our turn, I hope they'll say "South Carolina was there for us" and answer our call.
I'm so thankful for getting this opportunity to meet more gracious people of South Carolina. Because of these experiences here, Scott and I agree we'll be more thankful for the true possesions in life: family, friends and memories. Thanks South Carolina for all you've done; I'm so glad to be a part of the Palmetto state. - Holly
9/10/05 - Day Nine
Sheri Evans of the Humane Society of the United States says they're bringing in about 100 animals a day to the make-shift shelter just outside Pascagoula, MS. She and most of the volunteers have been here more than a week now and started by "roughin" it in every sense of the word. They pitched tents, ate MRE's, and used baby wipes for showers. But now, after the generous donation from a man named Ronnie Graves, they are living much more comfortably. They now have a port-a-potty and a kitchen to prepare meals. Although that does make their lives a little easier now, all they have on their minds is their rescue. The volunteers range in age from teenagers to retirement home residents. They come from all over the United States to help save animals and reunite pets and their owners. 
Sheri Evans can't tell enough stories that confirm why she does her job. As she showed us around what they call the "medical unit" of sick animals, she stopped and told each of their rescue stories. Some are unbelievable; most are heartbreaking. One dog has been on an IV since he got there early this week. Another gets startled every time the door to the trailer opens. Sheri says that dog has anxiety problems and will soon be moved away from any door.
Kevin Kirkpatrick is with the Animal Control in Columbia, SC. A big man with a big heart, Kevin has already found a furry friend he'll call his own. He recovered Sasha from home where the homeowners admitted there's no way they could afford Sasha anymore. It was love at first sight with Kevin and Sasha, and she'll soon become a Carolina girl.
Kevin shared a few stories of his work in the field. Many of the animals have been rescued from places where there was 5 feet or more of water. One lady swore her cat would be at the top of an apartment building. Kevin slowly made his way to the top and sure enough, the orange cat was waiting to be rescued.
Of course, every meeting with an animal is not a rescue. Kevin has found many dead dogs who were tied to a tree or post with a leash, and had no way to get out. That's when Kevin gives his warning to South Carolina. He says when you evacuate, be sure to take your pet or give it to someone who can care for it. Many have survived the rough storm, but more did not.
Another tip Sheri gave that I wanted to share was making sure your pet has an ID tag with several numbers on it. The rabies tags don't work in this situation because the Vet's files are washed away. She mentioned putting a number of a relative or friend in a different state, in case the owner's phone was out or the home was gone.
Sheri says their group will be there probably an entire month. She hopes they'll soon get to an end of so many animals, but the rate hasn't showed any indication of that. The outpour of donations has been so generous, though, and the group they have is committed to their task.
Tomorrow will be our final day of work. We hope to hit a lot of different areas if time permits. Although I'm getting tired and ready to see my family, I will really miss a lot about this place. Being surrounded by such optimistic and big-dream people has been nice. We've really made a lot of friends who I hope we will keep good contact with. Talk to you tomorrow, Holly
9/9/05 - Day Eight
Today was very pleasant, mainly because we didn't have to get near that awful bridge that usually holds us up for 2 hours. We spent the day in Mobile, AL because we were part of Walter Edgar's Journal which was taped from there. The guests were Meteorologist Jeff Reik of Florida, by phone were Jim Clyburn and Joe Riley, two local print journalists and Scott and me. Mr. Edgar spent a lot of time talking to the Meteorologist, mainly because South Carolinians are watching Ophelia's track very closely right now. Reik kept using Hilton Head and Beaufort as main areas when he spoke of her possible landing. This, of course, is right where Scott and I live and work. The idea of coming home to a natural disaster after 10 days of watching this one is almost unthinkable. Scott and I will continue to read and listen for updates on Ophelia, especially because she could affect our drive home.
After the radio show, one of the print journalists recommended we go to Wintzell's for lunch. It was a great decision we stopped there for a lot of reasons. First, the place is awesome. For those of you who love neat eateries, you can check them out at www.wintzellsoysterhouse.com. It was nice to sit down and get a little break from our go-go-go routine. Before leaving, we stopped the manager and asked him to direct us to any destruction in the area. 
He laughed a little and said, "You need to go to our other restaurant. It's about three sticks now." He took us next door to their main office where the owner, who has an interesting but fun personality, threw two t-shirts at us after learning we were from the Hilton Head area. He may have thrown them because he was supposed to be in Hilton Head for vacation right now, but Katrina interferred with his plans. Anyway, he gave us the shirts mainly so we'd compare the picture on the back with the "sticks" remaining. It would help a little with the shock factor. And it did. We drove up to the area in Dauphin Island that used to house the old restaurant but couldn't even find where it used to stand. We had to ask a local just so 
we'd be sure we were filming the restaurant and not something else. It was completely wiped away. I walked around the area just trying to find restaurant indications. A stack of silverware lay beside broken dishes. A waitress's button topped a stack of debris. But thankfully in all the mess there was something to laugh about. 
I walked near one big stack of trash and saw a Heinz 57 bottle untouched sitting beside a destroyed Lea and Perin's sauce. I made a joke to Scott about it, then noticed more of the red sauce bottles around. In the end, I found six 57 bottles that could be poured on a steak right now. The concept that an entire restaurant could go down and wash away, but the condiments are just dirty bottles amazed me.
We arrived home about 11 pm tonight which makes for a good night's sleep. That's the best part of the day for sure!
Tomorrow we'll spend another full day in the Gulf Port and Pascagoula area. We plan to meet members of the South Carolina Humane Society and get their story. I spoke with a representative from their group yesterday who told me they've already recovered more than 400 animals ranging from dogs to bunnies. They're setting the animals up in temporary shelters. I really want to bring back this story of their work because so many people have mentioned concerns over the animals.
Stay tuned as we wrap up this trip in the next day or so. Enjoy your weekend, and watch Ophelia so you can make necessary preparations. -Holly
9/8/05 - Day Seven
Today was a tough day emotionally. We traveled to Pascagoula where we met a cousin of mine who showed us around the area. Tonya introduced us to a lady named Brenda Krebs who is an incredible storyteller. Scott and I got a chance to sit down with Brenda for a while and let her share what she's experienced the past week and a half.
Brenda is a lifelong resident of Pascagoula, similar to a lot of people there. She experienced Camille in 1969 and knew she could handle Katrina. But today, as she pointed to the boat her family used to escape the flooded home, she says from now on she's getting out.
"Five outfits, these plastic chairs and pvc pipe tables......oh, and these two candles, I about left them out." That's what Brenda can keep from her home she recently remodeled. But she's happy to be alive. She knows people who are still missing family members. Despite the battle of survival, all of Brenda's nine person crew is ok, physically. Emotionally they are suffering. She admits her smoking habit has doubled since the storm hit. Her family has forced her to eat and she can't even think straight.
"The other day I actually had to think about walking. I said to myself, 'this foot first, then this foot.' "
Brenda and her family chose to ride out the storm, thinking it would pass them by. Instead, they found themselves chest high in water, searching for lifejackets. They made it to the attic where the group, which included a 12 year old and an elderly lady with epilepsy, worried about their safety. And the safety of another family member, the dog known as "The General." The General's story of survival is phenomenol. Out of pure luck, the mattress in one bedroom landed on top of four garbage tubs that were storing winter clothes. The mattress floated, and, like a true soldier, The General took advantage of his opportunity for hope. The General floated with the mattress for a while until one family member in a life jacket was able to fully rescue him.
According to Brenda, "If the Lord is willin' and the creek don't rise," her family will make it through this disaster. She says it's remarkable the way so many people are setting up in town to offer assistance. Churches and organizations decorate the street corners with free clothes and goods.
But not everyone is so generous. Because of the amount of looters in the area, free help is often seen as suspicious. An example occured right in front of our eyes. Two young men knocked on the door offering to cut down the tree that blocks Brenda's entire front yard for no charge. After extensive questioning, Brenda gave them the OK, then eyed nearly the entire time they worked. Brenda is a good person, and I think these men were, too. But, as we probably would in the same situation, Brenda questions this kind of offer at a time like this, wondering if it will lead to a scam or gimmick.
Because of all the mold in the house, residents are only allowed to stay in their houses for two hour shifts. My cousin, who lives farther from the water than Brenda says the mold is terrible in her house, too. "It's every color,' she said. "Black, pink, yellow...everything."
After leaving Brenda's house, Tonya gave us another tour of the areas with the most destruction. Because her family and friends are sharing working vehicles, it was her first time to the scene, too. The sights were sad, but what broke my heart was watching Tonya. First we drove by a playground that was destroyed, a playground where 25-year-old Tonya has many childhood memories. When we neared the beach she saw the land where a someone's home once stood. She remembers passing by about six months ago and seeing a high school friend painting the house green. There was no sign of the house anywhere, but as we drove a block back we saw some boards painted green. We think it's part of the house, but mixed in all the mess, there's really no way to ever know.
Brenda and Tonya are both strong people, and I know they'll eventually move forward. But seeing items and places that hold your sweetest memories leave you so fast isn't easy. My heart hurts for them so badly. My hope is they'll one day forget the reaction they had when they discovered it was all gone, but that they'll never forget the good times and memories the items and places helped them create.
Today Brenda and Tonya made me more thankful for my family, friends and memories.
9/7/05 - Day Six
What used to be a four hour trip to Biloxi turned into a seven hour trip today. Calling it frustrating is an understatement. The interstate came to such a stand-still, people were walking up and down the road releasing their anger to one another. Understandably, drivers have hot tempers at this point, because most are trying to bring aid to the area. We hear a lot of blasts on the horn and have seen our share of fender benders.
Scott and I were on a mission to find the S.C. Army National Guard. We knew where they'd be and were relieved once we got to what we thought was the right place. We found an official who delivered the sad news that the S.C. Army Guard was another three hours away. Throughout this entire trip Scott and I have remained in good spirits. We've been understanding with the long drives and have been usually successful in finding what we were looking for. At this point, we didn't know what to do. We were in Louisiana for the first time and I can not describe how foul the odor is there. I just kept talking myself through the area so I wouldn't get sick. It's really that bad.
We drove around some more, just hoping we'd run across something to help with our documentary piece. Bingo! We found ourselves in the middle of a 65-person crew from the South Carolina Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue team. They were happy to see us; I've found most South Carolinians are happy to see other South Carolinians. The introductions always yield a pleasant smile of relief. Their first question was, "Did the Governor send you?" They wanted to make sure they accommodated us however we needed.
Their team spent the day in a certain area, and I apologize for not writing that down. They have three (possibly more) dogs as part of their search team. They and the dogs were part of the teams searching for dead or live bodies. Today they found one person who needed insulin, and got her help immediately. Tomorrow, however, is bound to bring much harder stories. They're going to an area where no other U.S. team has yet gone, only a crew from Canada. During what I call a "pep-talk," a leader prepared the team for extremely rough conditions. The team is ready and, like the other teams we've met, extremely dedicated to their mission. Because of the death, devastation, and desperation they'll come in contact with, bringing a chaplain on the trip was a must. 
Michael Bingham, a Columbia pastor and Fire Fighter, says he's prepared to handle exhausted members who can't seem to bear what they've seen. I asked him how he can answer people when they want to know where God was and is in all this. "I won't say there's a silver lining on every cloud," he said. "But I will say there's a blessing on every cloud." He told of blessings that have already come from this situation, similar to ones I've shared in these reports. I'm glad Mr. Bingham is on their team, I think they will be needing him tomorrow. In fact, many of the members are already becoming very exhausted. They're sleeping in tents under a 
bridge and are able to take showers once every two days. Many of them, big animal lovers, have already been in situations where they had to walk away from dying animals. You can tell it really hurt them to do this. Also, as you can imagine, the children are probably the hardest to handle. One man started crying and had to stop our interview when he spoke of children. This crew maintaining their strength right now is a big challenge.
I couldn't believe some of the sights on our drive home. This was an area we hadn't seen yet. Car dealerships had brand new cars flown hundreds of yards away, completely destroyed. One van we drove by was sitting on it's top, and looked like it had been run over. On the side the letters, "OK" were sprayed. Anyone getting out of that OK is definitely a miracle.
On our drive home Scott spotted some Palmetto Electric trucks. 
We stayed behind them all the way to their Econo Lodge. This is a big luxury compared to the 300 man tents they were staying in before. Dekelly of Yemmassee was glad to see his relief arrive; he is ready to be back in S.C. Working all day and still not having power restored in some areas is very frustrating. After seeing some of the sights he's seen, though, Dekelly wanted to give a message to South Carolinians. During an interview he looked straight in the camera and said "GET OUT!" "If they tell you to get out, South Carolina, get out. Dont' try to be the big man. If you saw this here, you'd know to get out."
Today's trip is Pascagoula where we'll see some destructed areas and houses. Since this is before the detour, we're hoping our drive will be a pleasant one. I've enjoyed getting your questions and hope you'll keep sending them. Enjoy your day, Holly
9/6/05 - Day Five
"It's thanks from the heart." That's why Pee Dee Electric's Kelvin McGill doesn't mind the long days and tough jobs this assignment in Mississippi brings him. He says of all the homes and businesses he's worked with so far, he hasn't had a single person get frustrated. He said everyone has been so appreciative, mainly that his team came all the way from S.C. to help. He shared a story that confirms his thought. A little girl about five-years-old told her mother that the first person who worked on their house would get a picture. She drew a picture of her house with powerlines tangled in the trees. Once Kelvin came to the house, she delivered him the drawing. But Kelvin laughed when he told of his buddy who got a kiss from a man when the homeowner got his power back. "That might be a little too far," Kelvin said.
Scott and I were glad to see Pee Dee Electric trucks. Because of road changes, our trip was even longer today. We were tired, and I'll admit, I didn't see the day going anywhere. We finally found Pee Dee Electric trucks and literally yelled with excitement. I ran to a worker to tell him what we were up to and he said, "We're Pee Dee Electric from N.C." He directed us to where he thought Pee Dee from S.C. was stationed.
As we were driving through Kiln, MS, or as the locals call it, "The Kill," we stopped where we saw a crowd of people to ask for more specific directions. What we ran into was a group of people who were hit hard by the hurricane, but were trying to help those who had nothing. The Annunciation Church of Kiln is distributing everything 
from clothes, dog food, baby formula, and MRE's. Juanita Curet has been volunteering since the day after Katrina hit. Luckily, her home didn't receive too much damage, especially compared to her neighbors. She is housing family members, though, who lost everything. When I asked her to explain what her mind was going through during the midst of Katrina she said, "All I could say is 'Please God, make it stop. Make it stop." She and her neighbors and all their children will continue their donation stop until it runs out. They've been commended on how organized they are, and because of that, are getting lots of supplies from different companies. Juanita spoke of the response when people learned of their food and supply pantry. "It was sad to see how greedy people acted the first day, just hoarding the stuff. But I think they were just freightened and scared they'd be without. We promised them we'd take care of them."
It's not all "feel-good" in the donation department. An Iowa truck driver made a b-line toward me when he saw me writing in my notebook. He wanted to give the media a message and I promised him I would pass his thoughts along to you. He had been sent by FEMA to deliver an 18-wheeler full of ice to the area. He was relieved when he passed by the Annunciation church and found people to accept it. He said he's been driving six days with the ice and being turned away from every shelter he finds. "The government has this thing all messed up," he said. "It seems like they could work on some of these logistics a little better."
After leaving the Annunciation church we finally saw the Pee Dee Electric group from S.C. It was nearly 7:00 p.m. at this point, but they still had several house calls to make before they'd break for dinner. We followed Kelvin McGill's crew around for a few stops. He was more than willing to talk; it seems like once we make that S.C. connection with folks it's like uniting family. I asked him what he'd say if he could speak to all South Carolinians right now. He said he'd tell you all to pray. Pray for the residents who have to start their lives again. And pray for the linemen who are dealing with extremely dangerous equipment. They're working long days and in strenuous situations, but he said knowing what they're doing it for makes it all worth it in the end.
I spoke with Col. Pete Brooks of the Army National Guard and he says a crew of more than 300 is stationed at St. Charles Parish, LA. We're off to find them today and will bring you their full report on our return. Cross your fingers the road situation will be clearer tomorrow. At one point today, we went a mile in one hour. But putting this all in perspective, we have no grounds to complain right now. - Holly
9/5/05 - Day Four, Labor Day
Skipp Scoggins with Americorp summed it up during an interview today. "This disaster is the worst thing I've ever seen in my life. But the help they're getting is the most beautiful thing I've seen in my life." Skipp and Randa Speights, both from California, are just two of a group of 19 who responded within hours of learning Katrina's path was directed toward the Gulf Coast. They had a tough road getting there; they were stranded once and even camped out in a Sam's parking lot for fuel and food. After being here more than a week, Skipp says he is astounded at "southern hospitality." And he certainly has good reason to say that. A Mississippi family who suffered through Katrina has invited the group of 19 into their ceramic shop to stay. They've provided the Americorp group with a generator, showers, and a hot meal every night. As Skipp put it, "they're doing what they can to help us help others." It's just another example we've seen here of people working together for the good of restoraton project.
After spending some time with our friends at the Red Cross, who, by the way, welcomed Faith Hill to their offices yesterday, we re-visited some of the most severe areas of Mississippi. As Scott got some shots of downtown, I walked around the remains of what used to be a prosperous downtown area. Some of the items strewn across the streets stood out in the mess. It seems everyone notices the children's toys first, and there were lots of those. Being around so many churches, I knew there would be a Bible nearby. Pages of books were scattered everywhere, but I did find one Bible in tact.
This downtown experience was the hardest part for me. This time we didn't have an escort and were sort of walking around freely. It was so quiet around, which gave you time to think more about what you were seeing.
We have finally gotten an exact location of where S.C. power trucks are, so Scott and I are headed that way early in the morning. There's a possibility we'll be headed to Baton Rouge Wednesday to join our friends with Carolina MedCare Systems. They were deployed there for at least 30 days and when I called them today, Patrick said it's nothing near like what we've seen in MS. I'll give you a full update tomorrow. Be sure to listen to ETV radio tomorrow afternoon (Sept. 6) where we'll have a report...as long as those cell phones still work! Let me know your reactions to what you're reading and seeing on the news. Happy Labor Day! ~ Holly
9/4/05 - Day Three
South Carolinians are really stepping up to the plate! We spent most of our day with Carolina MedCare Systems, an amublance service for several areas of the Palmetto State. They voluntarily brought a crew down here with no place to sleep. As they were starting to pitch their tents, a man walked by and offered his business space. So the MedCare team is very thrilled to be sharing one small room of FedEx building. They're so packed in the room at night that some have chosen to sleep in the ambulances. But it's air conditioned in the room, and they are very happy with that.
Their biggest duty has been providing people with food and water. They have made a few serious calls and I'll get more details on them today when we meet again. More than anything, this crew has really impressed me with their enthusiasm and dedication to their duty. They are eager to help. I interviewed three of the team's members about what they've seen and done. Christopher Mooney of Charleston really put things into perspective. He's scheduled to stay about 30 days, and is headed tomorrow to Baton Rouge. I asked him why he's sacrificing so much time with family and friends, and he quickly responded that "me-time" was the last thing on his mind. He was there to help and only wishes he could be everywhere at one time.
You can imagine, one of the biggest reliefs around the ruined areas is seeing an open restaurant. One Waffle House opened it's doors today from 7 to 5 with a small menu choice. It was a pleasant atmosphere inside because many patrons were getting their first hot meal in a while, and the employees were thankful to be working. As we were talking inside, two men from S.C. came up and introduced themselves. Gary Goodwin and Jonathan Dicks are two of the members of Twin Systems plumbing service in Aiken who are helping all area Waffle Houses get back and running. Gary, a big ETV fan, said their mission is to get everyone back inside these restaurants for their good meals. Although it's business, Gary said it's also an obligation he felt. "It's the Christian thing to do; It's the American thing to do," he said. Gary and Jonathan have a busy week ahead and we wish them the best.
We left the Waffle House and followed the MedCare team to an area that is completely demolished. We're glad we had them escorting us because very few can get past the security guard. Also, there is a 6 o'clock curfew in place, but as long as we were with MedCare Systems, we were ok. What used to be a very elite neighborhood was a complete wreck. The whole area reminded me of one of those children's puzzles where you have to search and find for certain items. As we were driving by you'd hear people say, "I think that's a washing-machine" or "Is that lawn mower?" It's even difficult to make out what some of the large items are.
This neighborhood formerly housed many small planes. As you can tell from the pictures, they're all gone. We were walking around the debris and heard a quite cheerful voice yell, "Hey, are y'all coming to my party?" The word "party" in a setting like that was awfully strange, so I knew we had to get this lady's story. 
Lydia and Jim Jelinski were by far the luckiest in their neighborhood when it comes to the amount of damage their home received. The three story house is still standing and the top floor is basically in tact. In fact, they're spending this week living on the top floor. The first floor is completely gone, the second about half destroyed. My first question to her was, "Party?" She answered, "Yes, we're having an 'open house.' The neighbors can come by, have a cold drink and just talk." I think Lydia and Jim had a nice idea because we've found that "just talk" is what people people really need right now. They want to tell their stories and share their thanksgivings. There's no doubt Lydia and Jim are looking for the positive in this situation. More than anything, they're glad their family is alive. But next, Lydia says she can finally remodel that kitchen she's been begging her husband about! Take a look at the photo of the glasses in her cabinet. When she was 
showing them to us, I quickly thought of the "is it half-full or half-empty?" illustration. From Lydia's outlook, the glass is half-full, and she's about to fill it to the top! We want to thank Lydia and Jim for giving us a tour of their house and spending a good amount of time with us. They really set a good example to us of how "it's just stuff." Stuff can be replaced, but people can't. And their family is still together, and because of this disaster, stronger than ever.
We'll be looking for S.C. electrical companies tomorrow. We've gotten some information on where to find them and hope they'll have a minute or two to talk.
South Carolina is really stepping up to the challege of helping our neighbors, and like Gary Goodwin said, "I'm proud of my state." Take care, Holly
9/3/05 - Day Two
It's hard to find a place to start. Today was long, shocking and heartbreaking. Scott and I hit the road just before 8 o'clock. We followed a Red Cross team to Gulf Port, MS.
The trip was supposed to take us just over three hours, but our gas stop really held us back. I wish I'd have counted the number of cars waiting...it was a lot. The station had a $30 limit on how much you could pump. The closer we got to Gulf Port, the worse the conditions.
Our first stop in the field was a shelter which was set up at an elementary school. It was very upseting to see how these victims were living. One man we talked to was using a broken down banana box as his mattress. We interviewed him for about 30 minutes. What's been surprising to me is how willing everyone is to talk. I think they just want to get it off their chest and have someone listen. This man, who is now completely homeless, will always be in my mind when I think of my trip here. During our interview I asked him, "What do you have left?" He answered, "You're looking at it," while pointing to a pillow, two hats, a game of dominos and a small supply of food. He has no idea the status of his three daughters and one son. Despite all the worries and struggles he now faces, he somehow was able to find a positive side to it all. He told us how there were times he wasn't sure if he'd live and that he's thankful he has his life. He also joked of how in what he hopes will be the near future, he'll appreciate a real mattress much more now. I'm hoping we'll get to check on him throughout the week.
Our next stop was relieving to me. We teamed up with the Charleston City Police Department. It's always nice to see a little piece of home when you're in a situation like this. Their crew of fifty-five is stationed at another elementary school. They have no electricity or running water, but don't seem to mind. They are very focused on their mission. Lt. David Bridges sent us out with Cpl. L. Staggers II and Ricky Haynes. They were a complete Godsend. Mr. Staggers and Mr. Haynes took us to some very disturbing sites. As Mr. Staggers told us in an interview, it's just a whole other outlook once you see it first-hand compared to watching it on television.
There are so many stories to tell, but I'll just share the ones that impacted me the most. What used to be a large Episcopal church had nothing left. The only indication was a broken monument that told the history of the church. In the middle of the debris stood a sign sprayed with the message, "Church here Sunday. Bring your own chair."
Just down the road used to house a seafood restaurant. They had a sign reading "God Bless the coast. We will be back." Many of the houses had nothing to even write a message on, but we saw several with the orange "x," which indicates a death. Several houses, though, had messages sprayed on anything that was big enough to hold a few words. Most read "All alive" or "We are OK."
During all this, the officers were occasionally interrupted by suspicious people wandering around. I don't know how they got to this point in the first place, because we had to go through pretty high security to get this far. When we were at what used to be one of the casinos, we noticed two men walking around the remains with stuff in their hands. The officers went and checked and discovered the men were in fact looting, holding stuffed animals they were supposedly going to take to their girlfriends. My guess was it would be on Ebay soon. The officers got the items, and sent them off site.
Sorry this is so long, but it's as abbreviated as I could put what was such a life-impacting day. Some of these images I will never forget. A few years ago I took a trip to St. Marc, Haiti and saw complete desperation and devastation. These two places are very comparable. As one of the Gulf Port police officers said, "We're living just shy of a third world country." But the encouraging fact is, these people have hope. They believe they can rebuild and are not giving up. My hope is the nation will continue to respond to their many needs.
We arrived back home about 2 in the morning. It was definitely a long day. A few bridges are completely out of commission, so the detours added a lot to our drive. Tomorrow we're heading back toward Gulf Port and Biloxi. There was just so much, we feel we need another day there. Also, we ran into a Medicare EMT group from Charleston and we're going to meet up with them tomorrow.
Let me know if you are aware of any South Carolina agencies in the area; we'd love to meet up with them and bring home their story. Also, feel free to send me your questions. A few of you have asked me about the duration of a Red Cross volunteer. I will get your answers today. If you were here, what would you ask?
Enjoy your day, and continue to support the relief effort. They need us, and we may need them one day. Until next time, Holly
9/2/05 - Day One
Scott and I arrived here in Montgomery about 2:30 (AL time). We reported to what is the temporary Red Cross National Headquarters. It's really a neat set-up. They are using an abandoned K-Mart building to set up shop. We are overwhelmed by the way the Red Cross is helping us with our project. Ellen Scarborough, who is originally from Camden, S.C., is a long time Red Cross volunteer and is really taking care of us. She's arranged for us to travel with a group of volunteers tomorrow to Biloxi, MS. We have been warned of the extreme dangers in that area, specifically the great amount of looting that is taking place. Another problem, as you all know, is getting gas. One of the Red Cross trucks is stranded right now in the field because they have no gasoline. We'll be filling up every chance we get. Although we've only been here a few hours and haven't witnessed the devastation first hand, we've already seen so much. In the time we spent at the Red Cross Headquarters, we heard so many stories of generosity. While we were there Satellites Unlimited from Birmingham installed three large television units and provided the hook-ups absolutely free. If that wasn't enough, they called back and said they wanted to send boxes of stuffed animals for the volunteers to hand out to the children. Teachers were calling saying their students wanted to help in any way possible. A volunteer heard Scott and me talking about going to Biloxi tomorrow and gave us $100 cash to buy food and water to hand out for the Red Cross. It's great to see all these people working together toward the relief effort! We'll bring you our report tomorrow when we return from Biloxi. Take care, Holly and Scott