Storm of all Storms

While not the most powerful storm to ever hit the United States, I think Katrina will be the costliest and perhaps even the most deadly. Even the Galveston “no-named” storm and the infamous Labor Day storm do not compare to the devastation brought by this hurricane which ironically, fell on my 27^th birthday.

 

I have always been enthralled by nature but there is something about the sheer size and power of a hurricane of this size that is hypnotic to say the least. I find myself constantly watching videos and reading the accounts of what happened. The stories of heroism and sadness are both extremely abound. I cannot imagine what it would be like to see that kind of water rise in such a large area. We humans are truly no match for anything mother nature has to offer.

 

I remember in 2001 when I played baseball in Iowa--the Mississippi flooded 18 feet above normal levels. This resulted in extreme flooding of about 5 blocks of the riverfront sector. At one point, water was almost 6 feet deep. This is nothing compared to what New Orleans, Gulfport, and Biloxi are facing.

 

It couldn’t have happened in a worse spot either. Almost 30% of the people in that part of the country live in poverty and could not get out by their own means. These people literally were waiting for their deaths. What kinds of thoughts go through their minds during a situation like that? What could they be thinking as they watched the waters rise? What were their last statements? How do you say goodbye to someone in that situation?

 

There are just too many questions in a situation like this. It is almost surreal how much damage has been done, and the waters are still rising. You couldn’t wish this on anyone..

 

Lucas A. Martin

Industry Analyst - Allyn International Services, Inc.

Lockheed Martin Corporation - Strategic Sourcing Solutions

8529 South Park Circle, Suite 410

Orlando, FL 32819

Phone: 407-254-5826

Fax: 407-254-5849

email: lucas.a.martin@lmco.com