I have a sister in Mandeville on the north shore of Lake Ponchatrain (sp). She heede the warning and left on Saturday to Jackson, Miss. where her husband was attending a school for Bell South. All was okay until Jackson lost all power too. My BIL had to stay because of Bell South and my sister left to come up to Ohio. She had no idea of what was happening until she got to Ohio. My mom and I drove 400 miles to meet her and drive her back as she was overwhelmed w/ a 2 and 5 y.o. Once in Ohio - she was shocked to see her world so destroyed. She isn't too far from Slidell, used to worked in Metairie, etc. Her DH was finally able to get to her home Thursday thanks to work credentials - her house survived! No flooding, no trees. In her neighborhood is 59 homes and 6 are left - her house is one of them! All of the house were destroyed by trees falling through them. She had all of her trees removed a few years ago. Only a neighbor's tree fell on the corner of her fence. All of her friends lost heir home though. To get to her home,her DH had to climb trees and avoid power lines. He is now held up in a large building w/ generators. He is working 12 hours days - 13 on and 1 off. He assesses the damage and prepares the job for the linemen once the trees are cleared. My sister is staying atleast 2-3 months. We enrolled my nephew in school here yesterday. Sorry so long. I feel as though I have personally gone through this hurricane in Ohio. I hope many more positive stories emerge to counterbalance the negative. Thanks for reading. Cathy

By Yjja123 on Saturday, September 3, 2005 - 11:06 am:

Many prayers for your sister and her neighbors.

By Jann on Saturday, September 3, 2005 - 11:08 am:

We have some dear friends in Beau Chin in Mandeville that we haven't heard from.

By Pamt on Saturday, September 3, 2005 - 11:13 am:

Cathy,
I remembered that your sister lived in Mandeville from our Secret Santa days and I had wondered about her. So glad that her family got out and what a miracle that her house is intact!! It's all utterly unbelievable isn't it? The shelters here have school authorities going into them to register kids for school here too. We are thinking about maybe donating lots of clipboards because the schools will be so overcrowded that there won't be enough desks. It will be interesting to see what happens around here when school starts back next Tuesday. Bless you and your family for taking in your sister and her family!

By Sassy on Saturday, September 3, 2005 - 01:06 pm:

Thank you so much! Jann, I can ask my BIL if he can find out anything. My sister has found that text messaging gets through if anyone wants to try getting ahold someone and can't. PamT, I have been watching Baton Rouge - again remembering the Secret Santa days too. My sister's husband's best friend is Adrian Angelou (sp) who works for The Advocate - is being sent to N.O. for 3 days. His job is to authenticate rumors. I will pass this on to my sister. Prayers are always appreciated. Cathy

By Kim on Saturday, September 3, 2005 - 01:17 pm:

Cathy, when it affects someone close to you you ARE going through it too! THANK GOD you sister and family are ok and what a blessing for their house to survive! Its upsetting that all of her neighbors houses did not survive. Sometimes people end up feeling guilty because luck chose them and not someone else. If she shows signs of depression, urge her to go to counseling. Many many people had to get help after Ivan and again after Dennis. I still have nightmares about it and I wasn't physically affected hardly at all! I am not trying to be gloomy or goofy, I am just worried about the They should have some type of emergency system set up for psych help also. Prayers to your family Cathy.

By Amecmom on Saturday, September 3, 2005 - 01:30 pm:

So glad to hear your sister's house survived, that her husband is working and that your nephew is enrolled in school. Although you are all hurt by this tragedy, you are very blessed as well!
Ame

By Sassy on Saturday, September 3, 2005 - 01:39 pm:

Thanks Kim. I know she needs to grieve for those who have lost. I thought it was all going to come out yesterday while trying to access her bank. Can't get any money free from Hibernia bank. Capitol One was completely rude but cooperated eventually. Wachovia deferred her mortgage three months. Her family has been so blessed! I have a sister in Myrtle Beach and a brother in Virginia Beach - I hate hurricane season! They have been spared every single time. My sister will not be staying in Mandeville much longer. Her hubby can transfer out. She can't take anymore close calls. Our local paper interviewed her today - she wants the community to help. I think it will help her to get involved. Oh - her BIL stayed in Slidell with his family. They had no contact until Friday. When the water rose to the roof - he got the neighbors boat and got his family off the roof and out of Slidell. They had the foresight to move one of his cars away from his home and was able to drive out of state.