Skip to main content

10 Years after Hurricane Katrina!

This write up is not my personal work, it is intended to amplify Robin Roberts' plight on New Orleans's Hurricane. A PERSONAL ESSAY BY ROBIN ROBERTS. There's no place like home, and the beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast will always be home to me. Having lived there beginning at the age of 8, I had become accustomed to hurricanes. But Hurricane Katrina was different with forecasters using words like “catastrophic” and “historic.” The morning of Katrina I went to work as usual, co-hosting GMA alongside Charlie Gibson and Diane Sawyer. During commercial breaks I would call and check in with my family in Mississippi. My mother was too ill to evacuate so my sister, Dorothy, and her two girls stayed with her in our Biloxi home. The initial video we saw of the storm did not seem as bad as predicted. So I didn't worry too much when the phone lines back home went dead. But by early afternoon everyone realized it was even worse than we thought it would be. ABC immediately got me on a plane to report from the storm zone the next morning. Truth be known, I wasn't going there to report. I was going there to find my momma. The closest we could land was Lafayette, Louisiana. We drove all night and as we got closer to Mississippi the devastation took my breath away. While the GMA crew set up for a live shot in Gulfport, MS, I drove on to my mom's home in nearby Biloxi. My heart was pounding seeing houses completely destroyed. Familiar landmarks were obliterated. I was relieved to see only a portion of my mom's roof gone, and thankfully the house was still standing. I didn't want to leave my family. But momma insisted I go do my job and let people know just how bad things really were. I got back to the live location just minutes before we were to go on the air. I kept my composure and reported on the massive flooding in New Orleans and the destruction I had witnessed on the drive from Lafayette. When I wrapped up my report, Charlie asked me about my family. Simply put, I lost it. I've lost count how many times I've returned home to the Coast and New Orleans the last 10 years since that morning. My first trips back were to my hometown of Pass Christian. I was overwhelmed when ABC executives came up with the idea to "adopt" The Pass, which it is affectionately called by locals. It was an initiative we called "GMA Gets It Done," and GMA viewers came to the rescue donating all types of resources to help the Pass and other devastated areas rebuild. I joined amazing volunteers from all across the country, removing debris, doing whatever was needed. Sometimes it was just a much-needed hug. Credits: #abcNews, #RobinRoberts

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Tale of Mr. Segun Anozie: A Story of Duty, Love, and the Battle for Balance.

In a bustling city, where dr eams often collide with harsh realities, there lived a man named Segun Anozie. A father, a husband, and a man who bore the weight of providing for his family, not just in the physical sense but with every ounce of his being. Every day, as he navigated the chaotic streets in his humble car, he carried more than just passengers. He carried the hopes of his children, the dreams of his wife, and the unyielding pressure to protect and provide for those he loved most. Then one day, fate brought a stranger into his life—Asherkine, a well-known Digital content creator, influencer, and philanthropist. What started as a simple transaction—a ride to the mall—turned into an unexpected blessing. Asherkine, moved by Segun’s sincerity and dedication, decided to give him a gift that most would see as a his normal gesture. But for Segun, it was more. As he carefully selected items (rice and TV) for his wife and children, he wasn’t just shopping; he was trying to fulfill hi...

Nigeria’s Debt Profile: A Balanced Look at Progress and Challenges Under Tinubu

In recent weeks, headlines have celebrated Nigeria’s removal from the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) debtor list, with many attributing this milestone to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. While this is a significant achievement, the full picture of Nigeria’s debt profile—past and present—requires a closer look to help everyday Nigerians understand what it means for the country’s economic future. Let’s break it down simply, comparing the debt landscape before Tinubu’s presidency with today, examining state-level debt trends, and clarifying the current status with the IMF—all while acknowledging progress and the work still ahead. Nigeria’s Debt Before Tinubu: A Heavy Load When President Tinubu took office on May 29, 2023, Nigeria was grappling with a substantial debt burden inherited from previous administrations. According to the Debt Management Office (DMO), Nigeria’s total public debt stock in the second quarter of 2023 stood at N87.38 trillion (about $113.42 billion)...

Dcn Modupeola Abiona retirement well-wishes.

You’ve put in your best serving the public, and by extension your country. It’s now time for you to rest; you deserve the best life ahead. Have a fun-filled and fulfilled retirement Mum - Ayomide Abiona You can now wake up when you want to, visit the places you’ve longed for, make your own schedules without restriction – that’s the freedom that retirement brings. Happy retirement my Dear wife - Elder Olaseinde Abiona. At work, you were known as an untiring worker, at home you never slacked in your duty for a moment, which is why we call you our hero. You are a virtuous woman indeed. You deserve the best that life has for you ahead, mom. Happy retirement. - Ayodele Abiola (Nee Abiona) Most times I wondered how you do it; managing your family and career so well that none was given less attention. You are indeed “the hand that rocks the cradle and rules the world!” Happy retirement, mom. - Gloria Abimbola  Mom, there will be no more alarm to interrupt your peaceful sleep wh...