Kindness in Katrina

FRANKLIN — Hurricane Katrina evacuees, local community leaders and employees of St. Mary Community Action Agency Inc. met Tuesday morning and remembered Hurricane Katrina one year later.

Sounds of joy could be heard throughout the room as Beverly Charles and Cynthia Prince sang musical solos. Among those in attendance were evacuees from New Orleans who are still living in St. Mary Parish.

In the weeks following Hurricane Katrina, approximately 4,500 evacuees moved into St. Mary Parish causing a 5.8 percent increase in population, according to Duval Arthur Jr., director of homeland security and the office of emergency preparedness in St. Mary Parish. St. Mary Parish was the first fully functioning parish on U.S. 90 West from New Orleans, and many evacuees came looking for assistance.

St. Mary CAA, with help from Franklin Mayor Raymond Harris, former St. Mary Parish President William Cefalu, Teche Action Clinic, BYNET, the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office and local faith-based organizations helped serve 3,247 of those evacuees.

Many evacuees who are still in the parish were very emotional while attending the remembrance of Katrina on its anniversary.

“I just want to thank St. Mary CAA for all that they have done for me and my family. I got a new house fully furnished and a new van. I have two little grandbabies, and if it have not been for Community Action we would not have a home,” said Linda Morales, formerly of Gretna.

After the storm, the local agency had to adjust its hours of operations from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week for a two-week period. During that time, workers organized a database of all documented evacuees. They then conducted interviews with the evacuees and provided initial assessments of basic needs, such as food, clothing, medical and shelter.

Also, the agency referred clients to other relief effort partners for assistance, enrolled 115 pre-school aged children in the head start program and prepared and served hot meals to evacuees.

“The occurrence of Hurricane Katrina could be considered one of our worst and finest hours. It was our worst as we saw and heard of the devastation and deconstruction that left families homeless and in dire need. It was perhaps our finest hour as thousands of people came through our doors seeking comfort and help,” said Almetra Franklin, chief executive officer of St. Mary CAA.

Patricia Davis, a New Orleans evacuee, said she is grateful to be in Franklin after Hurricane Katrina.

“I have been to a lot of places, and I know God has sent me here for a reason. I just take one day at a time, and I have found my comfort zone right here in Franklin,” said Davis.

Davis said, while in Franklin, she has stayed with 57 family members and four dogs in one house at the same time, with 20 cars out front.