By Renee Johnson | Photos courtesy of Renee Johnson
When I think back to the days and weeks after Hurricane Katrina’s landfall in South Mississippi, it’s easy to remember the destruction.
The sight of a casino barge sitting on Highway 90 in Gulfport, or a crumbled Beach Boulevard in Old Town Bay St. Louis, will stay in my mind forever. But living in my heart is the memory of how people treated one another after that life-changing storm.
These days, it’s easy to read comments on social media and conclude that our society is more divided than ever before. Maybe you feel like you have nothing in common with your neighbors, or even some of your own family members. But I’m here to tell you that most of those disagreements quickly fade away in the aftermath of a major hurricane. When everyone in South Mississippi is without air conditioning or a working toilet in August, you suddenly have a lot in common with strangers.
There’s a psychological phenomenon known as the “common-enemy effect,” where strangers bond together when they face a shared opponent. As you can imagine, that human urge can go in some dark directions. One of the best scenarios is when that shared challenge is Mother Nature.
Katrina wasn’t just about neighbors helping neighbors. People came from across the country, and across the globe, to help us. And then they came back, again and again, year after year, because they were part of our recovery story. In the first five years after the storm, more than a million volunteers came to South Mississippi.
Former Gov. Haley Barbour stopped by the WLOX Studios recently and reflected on the response, saying, “This was the worst natural disaster in American history at the time when it struck 20 years ago. And I said then it was fitting that the worst disaster in American history would bring out the most volunteerism, the most giving, the most charity — and it did.”
Hurricane Katrina took so much from us, including the lives of 238 people just in Mississippi. But it also showed us the best of humanity that lives inside each of us, and we don’t have to wait for the power to go out to tap into it.
Maybe that’s why we stayed.
You see, in 2005, my husband and I had just started our family. Our house was damaged, but didn’t flood, and the repairs were easy compared to what others were facing. We could have sold our home at a profit and moved to a place that wasn’t torn apart. We asked ourselves, “Don’t our kids deserve to grow up in a community that isn’t a disaster area?”
But then we had what I call our “Katrina moment.” Over the years, I’ve talked to so many other people who had similar moments of clarity in the days, weeks and months after Katrina. It was the moment we made a conscious decision to stay in South Mississippi and help rebuild the community we loved. And it was one of the best decisions of my life.
In 2005, it felt like it would take a lifetime to recover from Hurricane Katrina, and that South Mississippi would never be the same. Looking back 20 years later, the Coast isn’t the same. But South Mississippians did more than just recover; we became resilient.
HURRICANE KATRINA COMMEMORATIONS
Mark your calendars for these Katrina observances and events here on the Coast and beyond:
Pass Christian Historical Society 20th Anniversary Observance
Aug. 25, 11:30 a.m.
Trinity Episcopal Church Hall, Pass Christian
The Pass Christian Historical Society will commemorate the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina at its August luncheon meeting, which is open to the public. The theme will be “Remembering Hurricane Katrina — Stories of Survival, Loss and Recovery,” and speakers will include Alderman Joe Piernas, City Attorney Malcolm Jones and Mayor Chipper McDermott. Reservations required: reservations@passhistory.org.
Hurricane Katrina: Remembering and Rejoicing 20 Years Later
August 29-30
D’Iberville Community Center
Join the City of D’Iberville as we reflect on the past, honor the heroes and celebrate the resilience of our community 20 years later. Exhibits will be on display showing the devastation and impact of Hurricane Katrina, as well stories of courage, survival and the dedication of volunteers. This event is a tribute to the strength and spirit of rebuilding — 20 years later
Hurricane Katrina 20th Anniversary Memorial
Aug. 29, 12:15-12:45 p.m.
Harper McCaughan Town Green, Long Beach
The City of Long Beach will hold a candlelight vigil to honor the lives lost and the resilience of our community. The program will include a moment of silence as well as reflections from leaders and community members on the impact of the storm and to remember those affected. This event is free and open to the public.
Hurricane Katrina 20th Anniversary Candlelight Vigil
Aug. 29, 7:30-8 p.m.
Harper McCaughan Town Green, Long Beach
The City of Long Beach will hold a candlelight vigil to honor the lives lost and the resilience of our community. The program will include a moment of silence, as well as reflections from leaders and community members on the impact of the storm and to remember those affected. This event is free and open to the public, no tickets required.
20th Anniversary Commemoration
Aug. 29, 8:25 a.m.
Barksdale Pavillon at Jones Park, Gulfport
This solemn occasion, presented by Gov. Tate Reeves and The Mississippi National Guard, will honor the lives lost, recognize the resilience of local communities and reflect on the journey of recovery and hope. The ceremony will include a wreath-laying tribute as a symbol of remembrance and unity.
Spirit of Katrina 20-Year Commemoration
Aug. 30, 4-8 p.m.; concert at 6 p.m.
Slidell Municipal Auditorium
The Krewe of Black & Gold and Northshore Cultural Economy Coalition will present this event in partnership with the City of Slidell. The observance will start in Slidell Auditorium and feature elected officials and special guests. This will be followed by the Spirit of Louisiana Second Line, led by the Storyville Stompers. The procession will parade through Olde Towne Slidell, honoring the many selfless individuals who have been part of the recovery and rebuilding. The second line is free and open to the public, and the community is welcome to join in the procession or cheer from the sidelines.
A concert will follow in the auditorium featuring The Bucktown All-Stars, which was the first band to perform in the city’s Bayou Jam Concert Series after Katrina. Due to limited seating capacity, preregistration for free tickets will be required. Ticketed individuals will receive priority admission until 15 minutes prior to showtime, at which time doors will open to the public for remaining seating if available. For more information, visit KreweofBlackAndGold.com.
The 20th Anniversary Commemoration of Katrina
Aug. 31, 10 a.m.
Bible Fellowship Church, Pass Christian
Please join Bible Fellowship Church for a commemoration service and fellowship dinner. Those who have any post-Katrina pictures they would like to share from working at the church or in our community, please send them to tirzahlt@gmail.com. The church community is forever grateful for all the volunteers who came and surrounded us with love, support and prayer after Hurricane Katrina. Your kindness and generosity will forever be remembered.
Ground Zero Hurricane Museum events
Waveland’s Ground Zero Hurricane Museum has announced a series of free public events throughout August in partnership with the Hancock County Library System and Studio Waveland.
• Katrina Exhibit Opening Reception
Aug. 8, 5– 8 p.m.
Studio Waveland
Join us for the opening reception of the Katrina Exhibit at Studio Waveland. This collaborative exhibit, supported by the Ground Zero Hurricane Museum, features artwork inspired by the storm’s legacy and the spirit of recovery.
• Book Signing and Art Event
Aug. 23, 1– 2 p.m. (library event); noon – 4 p.m. (art event)
Waveland Library, Studio Waveland
Author Lisa Hatfield will sign copies of her young adult novel, “To Ride a Storm Surge,” in the Waveland Library meeting room. This compelling story is set during Hurricane Katrina.
At Studio Waveland, visitors can enjoy art and coffee with the artists during an open-studio event celebrating the creativity and voices of local artists.
• “Children of the Storm” Panel
Aug. 26, 6 p.m.
Waveland Room, Ground Zero Hurricane Museum
Hear personal stories from young adults who experienced Katrina as teens. This reflective panel highlights the storm’s long-term impact on the lives of Waveland’s youth. RSVP required.
• Author’s Panel and Reception
Aug. 28, 6 p.m.
Studio Waveland
Meet and engage with a diverse panel of regional authors whose work explores themes of loss, recovery and resilience after Hurricane Katrina. Guest authors include Ellis Anderson (“Under Surge, Under Siege”); HC Porter (“Backyards & Beyond”); the Rev. Sebastian Myladiyil (Blown Together: The Trials and Miracles of Katrina”) and Lisa Hatfield (“To Ride a Strom Surge”). A reception will follow. RSVP required.
• Katrina Remembrance Service
Aug. 29, 10 a.m.
Waveland Room, Ground Zero Hurricane Museum
Visitors will gather on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina for the museum’s annual remembrance service. This year, the gathering will honor the bravery and service of first responders with the premiere of the documentary “On Call: Katrina’s First Responders,” which features firsthand accounts from the storm’s first responders. RSVP required.