WDAM Viewpoint- Hurricane Anniversary - WDAM.COM - TV 7 - News, Weather and Sports

AUGUST 26, 2011

On this day six years ago a storm was brewing out in the Gulf of Mexico.  On August 29 in came roaring ashore…hitting the Gulf Coast of Mississippi like it had a bulls eye painted on it.  Bringing in a wall of water several stories high and vicious winds Hurricane Katrina obliterated much of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.  Homes and businesses for several miles in ceased to exist.  The storm continued its way north and did tremendous damage with high wind and driving rain all the past Jackson.  Residents throughout at least half of Mississippi were without power for days and even weeks.  People couldn't get gas or fresh water.  Refrigerated food had to be cooked or thrown away.  Roads were blocked in every direction by fallen trees and debris.  Forest and timberland was decimated.  People fled into our area in droves from New Orleans, the Mississippi Coast and Mobile.  The Hattiesburg/Laurel area was the first big stop on the way up from the coast…but it was certainly no picnic up here.  New Orleans suffered the breaking of levies that caused flooding and death.  Mississippi suffered the wrath of the hurricane.  It was an historical disaster of epic proportions.  With  hurricane Irene bearing down on the east coast of the United States during the same time period this year, our thoughts and prayers are with them.  Let's be as generous with our help afterward as folks from all over the country were with us after Katrina.  I'm Jim Cameron and that's today's viewpoint.