amnesia (a lengthy post) Re: Katrina:

December 13, 2007

Elaine,

The probable reason for the amnesia is the whole series of events that occurred leading up to that point.

A bit of backgrond info about myself first:

During the late 60's I was in the US Navy stationed aboard a cruser that had 3 tours in the western Pacific.

During these tours the ship would be in the Tonkin Gulf just off of North Vietnam for over a month.

Naturally I became used to the confinement aboad ship and the restrictions imposed. At the time of Katrina I was (still am) a retired bachelor in my 60's. 61 then 63 now.

No one had any previous idea how distructive Katrina would be; the infrastructure damages and primarily the "Army Corps of Engieers" poor levee construction damages.

http://www.levees.org/

As I previously stated, I stayed in my house through Katrina (Monday the 29th of August) then the following day made my way to the Super Dome. (Those that watch football have seen the "New Orleans Saints" playing their home games there.)

I arrived at the Dome Tuesday afternoon. After checking in I was given a standard size (1/2 liter) bottle of water and was told that there was 2 rations times a day. One in the morning and one in the evening whereby I would receive 2 bottles of water and 1 MRE (meals ready to eat) and that I would be able to get the evening rationing.

The Dome was on relatively high ground and dry although Katrina did cause some roof damage and there were 3 visible holes near the very top. Due to the lack of electrical power the Dome was on generators that essentially provided only emergency lighting. Because of the "Sewerage & Water Board" pumping stations not having power and the flooding there was no effective safe water. although there was some water pressure and water within the Dome we were advised NOT to drink it because of PROBABLE contamination.

Although the metro area is relatively flat there are high and low locations preventing transversing by boat or vehicle: a low section requiring a boat then a high section requiring a vehicle then another low section. The only way was by hilocopter and they were used to get the individuals from the more devistated flood areas to higher ground (the Dome being the nearest).

Within the Dome because of the crowded condition there was never quiet at night and the emergency lighting although dimmed to some extent was never turned off and with a lack of bedding you naturally did NOT have a restfull sleep. As the days progressed and the conditions in the Dome seeming to get worse the general crowd became more restless despite the unavoidable situation.

From that Tuesday through that Thursday dusk would be 9 bottles of water and 5 MRE's along with 2 very restless nights.

Because of the above and between that point and my waking up on the bus Friday I believe I started halusinating.

Due to all of the above, when I woke up on the bus Friday I belived my memory just shut down (temporary amnesia).

Hopefully the above is NOT confusing and answers your first question. Although the above is lengthy I tried to be as brief as possible.

With respect to my time spent in Austin with my brother & sister-in-law it was not really dull however I did put on quit a bit of weight relatively speaking. I am 5 foot 4 inches (1,62 meters). I went from a 32 or 34 waist to a 38 waist. I am now back to a 34 (inch) waist.

My brother worked but my sister-in-law doesn't and she would be running various errands (by car) and I would usually go with her. When I realized I was up to a 38 waist I then started walking more. Pre Katrina I used to walk to a degree. Now because of the poor public transportation I walk quite a bit more. I don't drive - never had a driver's licence.

While I was in Austin with them we did make several trips.

One to Wethersfield, CT to visit my nephew (my brother's son) and his (at the time) expecting wife. She had a girl March 2006.

Another to the Dallas suburbs for Christmas 2005 visiting my sister-in-law's daughter (by a previous marriage) and family. They were the individuals that picked me up when the FEMA bus brought me there.

Hope that answers your second question.

Gerard

-------------- Original message from Elaine : --------------

Gerard, why do you think you experienced the amnesia? The shock of the situation? It's good that you had someone to stay with until you could return to New Orleans. What did you do to past the time while in Austin?

Elaine

..

December 14, 2007

Thanks for answering my questions, Gerard. It's amazing what so many of you went through. I can't imagine being in that Superdome.

Thanks for sharing your story.

Elaine

Elaine,

The probable reason for the amnesia is the whole series of events that occurred leading up to that point.

A bit of backgrond info about myself first:

During the late 60's I was in the US Navy stationed aboard a cruser that had 3 tours in the western Pacific.

During these tours the ship would be in the Tonkin Gulf just off of North Vietnam for over a month.

Naturally I became used to the confinement aboad ship and the restrictions imposed. At the time of Katrina I was (still am) a retired bachelor in my 60's. 61 then 63 now.

No one had any previous idea how distructive Katrina would be; the infrastructure damages and primarily the " Army Corps of Engieers " poor levee construction damages.

http://www.levees.org/

As I previously stated, I stayed in my house through Katrina (Monday the 29th of August) then the following day made my way to the Super Dome. (Those that watch football have seen the " New Orleans Saints " playing their home games there.)

I arrived at the Dome Tuesday afternoon. After checking in I was given a standard size (1/2 liter) bottle of water and was told that there was 2 rations times a day. One in the morning and one in the evening whereby I would receive 2 bottles of water and 1 MRE (meals ready to eat) and that I would be able to get the evening rationing.

The Dome was on relatively high ground and dry although Katrina did cause some roof damage and there were 3 visible holes near the very top. Due to the lack of electrical power the Dome was on generators that essentially provided only emergency lighting. Because of the " Sewerage & Water Board " pumping stations not having power and the flooding there was no effective safe water. although there was some water pressure and water within the Dome we were advised NOT to drink it because of PROBABLE contamination.