As Hurricane Katrina ripped through Louisiana last Monday, Will Younghouse was going about his normal day in Memphis, unaware that his family’s homes and possessions were being destroyed by the devastating winds.
“(When I found out), I was on the phone all day with my family, trying to locate family and friends,” said Younghouse, a junior journalism major. “We couldn’t get a hold of anybody for about a day and a half.”
Younghouse’s family, residing in Gulfport, Miss., managed to escape with their lives, taking shelter with family in nearby Vancleave.
“My family has been through hurricanes before, so they were prepared and knew to evacuate,” Younghouse said.
Younghouse’s aunt, Becky, lost her home, and his uncle, Carlie Lizana, completely lost two of his three seafood restaurants, businesses that will take at least a year to repair, should reconstruction happen at all.
“The devastation down there is so much worse than what the news shows,” Younghouse said. “My brother is there helping and said that the whole place (Mississippi) just smells of rotten death. As soon as he got there, he saw at least five body bags just lying around, not to mention the looting that’s going on.”
Younghouse’s family experienced first hand the looting taking place there.
“There was a man leaving the remains of my aunt’s house just as they were returning to it,” he said. “But there was nothing to salvage, everything was just destroyed.”
Younghouse joined his family today after he traveled to Louisiana late last night to help with repairs.
“I can’t wait to get down there and just see everything,” he said. “When you’re here, you’re just glued to the television. You just feel so helpless.”
Younghouse said his family received help almost immediately, and the National Guard moved fairly rapidly in getting them supplies.
“My family is not experiencing (the claims of federal aid failures) that everybody is seeing on the television,” he said.
“I’ve zoned out most of the media coverage because most of the positive news is cancelled out. Now it’s just these big-time celebrities that are bashing the government, even though they’re not there, but people are getting help.”
Younghouse’s family received help from the government face-to-face, as his family, among others in the area, was visited by Vice President Dick Cheney.
“It was very uplifting for people in that area,” he said. “He met all the people and offered his support. My family, as well as the others, was very pleased with that.”
Younghouse is among many students at the University of Memphis who have been affected by the hurricane.
Kari Hingle, junior journalism major, lost her home in Buras, La., just south of New Orleans, as it was submerged under water.
Her mother evacuated immediately, but her father, the town sheriff, remained behind. All of her friends evacuated to Texas.
“Everyone at Memphis has been really supportive,” Hingle said.
After the devastation, support is all there is to offer, for students like Younghouse. But getting home and lending a hand makes some feel better.
“I just can’t wait to get down there,” he said.
