Aug 29, 2008 5:02 pm US/Eastern
Local Katrina Victim Recalls Hurricane Devastation
HYDE PARK (WBZ) ―
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Phillip Andrews recalls his experience in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hit three years ago.
WBZ
The approaching storm Gustav churns up vivid memories of Katrina's wrath and aftermath exactly three years after that historic hurricane hit New Orleans. A Hyde Park pharmacist, who was trapped there by Katrina, shared his thoughts and emotions with WBZ's Ron Sanders.
Chaotic wind damage and street flooding comprised the view from Phillip Andrews' front porch on Lafaye Street when an unwelcomed visitor named Katrina blew into New Orleans three years ago.
"I think it's something that makes you kind of appreciate what you have more," Andrews told Sanders.
His wife, Lynnell, had moved up to Hyde Park with their son for a new job. He was closing up their house when Katrina delayed his move for four months.
They'd been out of touch for four days when they got a call through and Lynnell put their 10 year old on the line.
"Now he said, 'hello, Daddy. Where are you?' That just broke me down," Lynnell said.
Andrews used his fishing boat to rescue neighbors. He says despite widespread reports of looting and shooting, most people in his neighborhood helped each other as days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months.
"I don't have much faith in the government; people, yes. Government, not so much," Andrews said.
The Katrina experience is now part of what Lynnell teaches about in American Studies class at UMass, including the time FEMA paid a visit to Andrews' neighborhood.
"Phil offered them something to eat and they accepted. So Phil was in a position of doing more for them than they did for him," Lynnell said.
He is still dealing with insurance companies and small business loans. "I'm still fighting right now. So why do I think it would get any better."
This Labor Day weekend's New England sunshine is a far cry from what Phillip was experiencing when he and Lynnell were separated by Katrina three years ago this day; and while they're enjoying time together this weekend, they're still worried about families left in the New Orleans area, including his mother, brother and cousins.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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