Hurricane Katrina Pics

Mardi Gras Floats Damaged

Finally I found some information on Blaine Kern's Warehouse. This is where the bulk of the Mardi Gras floats in New Orleans are built. It is in Algiers which was not flooded and recieved little damage. That means with some repairs needed the floats are ready to go it the city is in February.


The pictures and info here come from NBC 17. If you click on the title you can see video as well.



Mardi Gras Floats Damaged During Hurricane Katrina

Warehouse Worker: 'Everything Is Replaceable'



POSTED: 9:21 am EDT September 6, 2005

UPDATED: 10:20 am EDT September 6, 2005



NEW ORLEANS, La. -- Homes, businesses and restaurants were not the only things damaged from the wrath of Hurricane Katrina -- several Mardi Gras floats were nearly ruined, as well.



The colorful floats were kept inside the Blaine Kern Warehouse, but high winds and heavy rain damaged the pieces.



Lynn Petre has been guarding the floats since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf region last week.



Petre said the annual party is important to the city.



"This is Mardi Gras. This is New Orleans," Petre said.



Although the floats are damaged, they are not destroyed.



"Everything is replaceable, but it's going to take time," Petre said.



The Blaine Kern Warehouse ran daily tours of the floats before the hurricane.



The city of New Orleans hosts Mardi Gras, or "Fat Tuesday," every year in February.

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I Went to Mississippi Today

Will New Orleans have Mardi Gras?

From the AP
‘Party must go on’ spirit lives in New Orleans
Mardi Gras guru: ‘Now more than ever we need a reason to celebrate’

More Hurricane Pictures

A tree blocks traffic on Telegraph Road
Debris on an bridge on Telegraph Road
Conde Cavalier barn doors are damaged.
Repairs begin on the Dew Drop Inn Sign on Old Shell Road
Nothing but pilings are left of this house on the Waterfront in Mobile
A gas station on the Causeway is completely submerged.
Debris covers the walkway at a shopping center after parts of the roof fell.

Beads for Donations

I thought this was a unique idea. I hope he reaches his goal.

Clear Channel’s Craig Coffee is broadcasting from the balcony of a local restaurant offering Mardi Gras beads for cash donations to benefit hurricane victims. Coffee intends to man his post until he has raised $99,999.

Some people on Ebay have the same idea.

Mardi Gras Beads

Please Help Support The Victims Of Hurricane Katrina

These are brand new high quality Mardi Gras beads. They were originally purchased from New Orleans before the hurricane.

You can wear them or hang them on your rearview mirror to show your support. What better way than beads to show the people of New Orleans that we care. Just to remind them of the good times when they are going through such horrific experiences.

To all of the victims;

We thank you for all the fun parties and great memories you have given to us and we are here for you now in the most difficult of times.

This particular lot is a set of 3 necklaces in New Orleans colors purple, green & gold the beads are shaped like little dice. This grouping was requested by a group of people affected by hurricane Katrina who are currently staying in a hotel. Check my other listings for different necklaces.

I couldn't sleep last night I had to find a way to help. If this idea of mine goes over well then I will list much more of them. I am a young single mom of a baby boy and I really want to do what I can. I hear every little bit helps.

My Heart is Breaking

Let me start by saying that people on the Gulf Coast are all connected. We are all so much alike with few interesting differences. I have traveled to every state in the continental US and have never met anybody that I connect with on that level other than others that lived along the Gulf Coast. New Orleans, LA and Mobile, AL are two of the oldest cities in the US. Mobile celebrated its' 300th birthday last year and New Orleans should celebrate theirs in a few more from now. We are all family.

Having that said it is so horrible down here. You can all see the pictures like I have been watching and most of you have never been there. It is like it is my city. I know so many people there that decided to stay and nobody has heard from them since. The not knowing is the worse. I call and call all day and night with no clear lines. They have not contacted family nor friends. It is horrible.

Then I watch the TV and look at the pictures online and it tears me apart. This is my home. (The Gulf Coast) The whole area that spans 4 states wide is suffering. It has nothing to do with race, color, creed, religion and anything else the media want to get ratings off of. We are all suffering for the fate of our beloved home. There is so much destruction and death and heartache everywhere you go it is unbearable.

My husband and me have 15 dollars left. I did not get paid this week because we did not send out invoices so there was no money to pay anyone. One of the guys that works there is walking to work and home. Luke works at the bars but there is a curfew in effect so the bars can't open plus nobody has any money if they have power. I have several disconnect notices. We just don't know how this will all play out.

All I can say is pray for everyone on the Gulf Coast but especially the hardest hit. I just wanted people to know how it is affecting everyone down here.

I love this area, all of it, and you are all in my heart and soul.

Lillian Dean
Mardi Gras Lady
www.mardigraslady.blogspot.com

Satellite Pictures

These show the before and after of the Mississippi Coast and New Orleans. It is such a horrible thing that has occured. You can click on this post title to go to the link where I found these and see other pictures as well.
New Orleans Before
New Orleans After

Biloxi Coast Before
Biloxi Coast After

Getting back to Normal

Well things are slowly beginning to get back to normal now. My office got power back last night so we will be working all weekend and Labor day to try and get caught up. I hope that when Mobile gets back up and running we can offer more help to the harder hit areas.

More pictures from around my area.

Dauphin Island is in Ruin

Dauphin Island which is in Mobile County about 35-40 miles from where I live. It got hit really hard and many people lost their houses as they were ripped apart or just floated away into the ocean. Their were places where there was 1 or 2 houses and then the next 10-14 were gone. The ones that were left were in complete devistation. These pictures come from www.al.com.