Remembering - Retracing Hurricane Katrina – The Big One

August 23, 2005.  Six years ago, almost to the day.  The tropical storm which formed off the coast of the Bahamas was baptized Katrina as she strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane. Aiming for Miami, Katrina took a chunk off my son’s roof before she hustled on. We listened for the latest news, the track.

The Wicked Woman marched into the warm waters of the Gulf where she churned and growled taking command of the winds and seas, gaining strength and power. In the next six days, we watched in horror satellite images of Katrina as she swelled into a massive Category 5, the highest number on the Saffir-Simpson scale.  She packed winds of 175 mph.

As a native Floridian, I’m accustomed to hurricanes, just as Japanese living on the Pacific Ring of Fire, understand tsunamis.  But I’d never seen that gigantic, white whirling dervish “comma,” with its inevitable evil eye swallow the entire Gulf of Mexico and its coastland.     

For five days we kept vigil, glued to the media.  The tension was almost unbearable as we waited and watched, thought and prayed for our neighbors in western Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.  Although Katrina trimmed down to a Category 3 by the time she was due to make landfall, we knew the effects of this nautical Madam-Gone-Mad would be horrific. New Orleans was targeted as a direct hit.  Maybe, after all the rumored years, this was “the Big One.”  

Chang, the news says a hurricane may be heading to Florida.  Chang?  Chang?  I guess he found a Mudwrap after all and headed for the hills.  He must have sensed "Irene" before I heard of her.  

Tomorrow I’ll introduce you to Gullah, a fictitious little black cat that survived, but barely, Katrina.  And I’ll have a special surprise for my readers!

Ciao,

Nancy