The night before the world changed forever.

By: DarkValentine Mood: overwhelmed Date: 07/03/2007 08:38:06 Music: None

The following dates, along with the text are real. This is events that actually happened. And from what me and My grandfather experienced.

August 28th 2005, 4:25 AM

It was during this time, my grandfather had already asked me to stay up for the remainder of that night on my computer, and keep track of where the hurricane was going to hit. At that time, Katrina was no more than a category 1 Hurricane, just off the coast of Florida. For hours, upon hours, I stayed up. looking to see exactly where the storm was going to go.

August 28th 2005, 8:50 AM

Me and my grandfather are watching the news. At this point, it has just about reached Category 5 status, within a matter of just 3 to 4 hours time. What the satellite shots showed from space, was one extremely large storm. Heading our way. The size was unreal. Already, my grandfather said that "This is larger than Betsy & Camille. Sh*t is going to get very real around here". I couldn't have agreed with him more on that matter, as we kept watching how things were going on.

August 28th 2005, 9:21 AM

The storm, according to the weather guys, said that it was now heading our way. Shortly after this announcement, Mayor Ray Nagin came on television, and made a state of emergency address for the entire city of New Orleans. He seen the reports, and it was indeed a Category 5 Hurricane, coming in the direction of New Orleans. This was a nightmare to everyone in the city. Because for years, upon many years, they have talked about "What if a major storm was to hit the city? due to it's bowl shape, it would retain water, and water levels will rise to unimaginable heights." What was talked about on PBS (Public Broadcasting Station) Was actually happening right before our very eyes. The Mayor was urging everyone to get out of the city, any way they can, since it was still just 1 day before landfall.

August 28th 2005, 9:40 AM

After the announcement was over, me and my grandfahter stood in front of the television. The look in our eyes, was just the same look we had, when we watched the Twin Towers get destroyed on the television. We couldn't really believe what was about to happen. And for many years after Hurricanes Betsy & Camille, everyone decided to stay behind, and "ride it out". That's been the thing for many who were native to New Orleans. Not thinking that the "Big One" would come and topple what those two hurricanes did in the 60's. Everyone was wrong. This tompletely toppled what both storms combined were, and was deemed "The largest natural disaster & Largest hurricane in US American history, and Largest known storm in the World". When we finished getting our senses back together, we looked at eachother. Then we slowly looked at our home, and everything in it, then we looked at what we could take with us. Then I said "Grandpa, dude......we have to go. There is no way we can stay here, and expect to survive this storm". My Grandfather looked at me, and asked me, "Lionel? Where in the world do you think we're gonna go? We don't have anywhere else to go!", then I look at him in the eyes and said, "Well, we sure as hell can't stay here. I have a gut feeling that this world is going to change. and it's going to be a change not only for this city, and everyone in it. But the entire world will feel this change. We gotta go".

August 28th 2005, 10:30 AM

We packed what we could, and decided to hit the road. I had a laptop that was still in layaway at Walmart. I had the receipt with me, and kept it. That had to have been the smartest move i made, because my old laptop was dying on me anyway, and I could do very little with it, other than surf the net. As we got finished packing, before we left the house, the phone rang. It was one of our neighbors, they were planning to stay, because they figured that this storm was going to be like all the others after Betsy & Camille. My Grandfather listened for me, and admitted that this was his first time ever having to leave home due to a storm like this. As we packed what we could, including my old laptop, so i could keep some kind of communication to the outside world, the streets of the Lower 9th Ward were already in panic & chaos. By the majority of the area being predominantly black, and one of the poorset areas of the city, not many people had ways to get to a safe area of tow, other than to catch the bus. That was still running at the current time. I made a suggestion that we evacuate to Baker, La. where my aunt stayed. It was the only decision we had, and we were not about to take any second chances with this. Because at that point, it was all or nothing. As we were crossing the Claiborne Ave. Bridge, I looked to my right. The water had already touched the wall of the levee that protected the entire Lower 9th Ward. All i did was simply shake my head, fearing the Worst. Not knowing at that time, the worst would be a reality.

August 28th 2005, 1:10PM

After trying to find a way out of the city, through all of the traffic, we decided the safest way to take, would be Airline Highway. Which is a direct shot to Baton Rouge, La. Due to Interstate 10 being backed up, to Hell and back. But, little did we know that Airline Highway was also the same way. Even with contraflow, it was almost impossible. We just got out of the Carrolton area, and were now in Meaterie, La. The start of our Journey & Exile from our home, and a race against time, to make it before midnight to Baker. La. Normally, on an avarage day, it takes no more than at least an hour & 42 minutes to travel between Baker, and New Orleans. That wasn't the case.

August 28th 2005, 6:10 PM

We sat in traffic, only moving very slowly, and only going 23 miles, into the next town, which would be Kenner, La. what would only take 15 minutes, took use 5 whole hours, just to make it that far. We couldn't run the Air Conditioner, because we only had enough cash to fill the tank, and our stomachs. We had nothing else besides that. It was to the point where you could get out of your car, and actually look miles and miles down the road. In front, and behind you. nothing but cars, bumper to bumper like it's a highway in California or NYC. We then made it past the airport. and the next thing that happened, we didn't see coming. As we were about to pass the Airport, we heard a loud roaring sound. so we started to see everyone park on the side of the road. We were wondering why. then I decided to look behind us, and there was a wall of very hard rain coming our way. It looked like a very thick wall of grey coming at us, and when it hit, it shook the car. Almost knocking us off the road. Everybody came to a complete stop. We had no choice but to brave the weather, because what we had in the tank, was all we had left. So still, no A/C turned on the entire time. Both of us were soaked badly.

August 28th 2005, 6:45 PM

We kept going, all through Jefferson Parish, long since out of Kenner and away from the Airport. things were looking better, but they were still getting worser than better. People were running out of gas right on the highway, and even more so, even the backup reserves they had were going dry. the Ambulance crew was on the road as well, trying to assist those who were elderly, and were trying to get out of the city as well. Some of them didn't make it. Some of the died before our eyes, were in shock, catching seizures. It was still chaos, and we were just driving. We never before experienced anything like this in our lives, but we knew that once this was all over, life for the entire world, especially, every single citizen of New Orleans, would change forever.

August 28th 2005, 7:12 PM

It was starting to get real hectic, most couldn't stay on Airline Highway, because it was too cluttered. We were able to listen to the radio and such. We couldn't get on Interstate, because it was flooded out. So we had to keep going. That's when a chance for us happened. The man on the Radio said that River Road was clear, and that nobody was on it. Most people didn't know this road existed, nor where it really is. Thankfully, my grandfather knew all about this road. As it takes you from Kenner, La all the way to Gonzales, La, with very little stops. My grandfather decided to take that road, and make a straight shot for Gonzales, which is just a mere 12 to 20 miles outside of Baton Rouge. We were thankful for taking that road, because that made getting there alot faster. but we wasn't prepared for the major traffic jam that was to be once we did get back on Interstate 10.

August 28th 2005, 10:55 PM

After finally making it into Baton Rouge, we had to look for Baker again. because 2 years prior to the events that happened that day, was my first & only time ever going to Baker. And to be returning due to the hurricane, it felt strange to me. Thankfully, I remembered my Aunt's number, and we got in contact with her as soon as we found a working Pay Phone. We called her, and she gave us directions on how to get to her. Once we go there, we finally lay to rest for the remainder of the night. We did a total of at least 10 to 11 hours worth of driving. In what was supposed to be just a near 2 hour drive. But all in all, we thanked God that we at least made it out safe.

August 29th 2005, 10:21 AM

The storm had made landfall. it was a large on at that. It covered part of Texas, Louisiana, Alabama & Mississippi all at once. No other storm in the history of the United States was ever capable of being that wide. The storm itself came strong. As power was knocked out everywhere. and it would take a day before it would be back on in Baker at least. So we just stayed inside, and just caught up on old times, for the remainder of the day. Though......little did we know that in just a few hours, all hell would finally break loose, and what was said to happen, would surely happen.

August 29th 2005, 12:21 PM "End Game"

The only radio we had, was the one in my grandfather's car. So i went to go out and listen to it. At first, things were alright, and everyone thought the storm had passed. But then the newguys said they heard something coming their way. When they looked, they seen water, and alot of it on Canal Street. The Main street of New Orleans. Everywhere they went, Water was rising fast. All i could do was sit at the radio, helpless, and my prayers were with those who didn't make it out of the city. It was some time later, when my Aunt found the radio she had, and we were all inside soon after. As we listened, one of the news reporter and radio people said that there were Whitecaps on Canal Street. If you know what they are, then you know just how bad it got.

August 29th 2005, 2:10 PM "End Game Part 2"

It was around this time that the local power company had the power restored, and we had to get to the news some kind of way. Though, we were not prepared to see what we saw, when we changed to it. There was a Helicopter view over a body of water, and what looked like the Claiborne Ave. Bridge to the left. When i looked at the screen and they showed where the Levee got breached, and they showed a shot of what was the Lower 9th Ward. All we could do, was look in sadness. 22 Feet of water was recorded that day. It flooded out the entire Lower 9th Ward. very little was spared. We could not believe what we were seeing, on Live Television. All my grandfather could do, was look at me, and hug me tightly. He said "Lionel.....grandson......thank you for telling me we have to go. That could have been us, drowned in that water". I didn't know what to say. It felt like it was a point in time where three futures were about to be born by the bonds of fate that day. It was either Stay behind, and leave my grandfather behind, Stay behind and we both perish, or both of us getting the hell out of there. I was not about to take any chances, and I still kept a promise to my grandmother. that promise was to take care of him, for as long as he is able to breathe. and make sure that he is in safe hands. I upheld that promise. that is how much dedicated i was to him, and I'm still just that dedicated.

August 29th 2005, 7:45 PM

When I was able to get back online, my friends on one of the international forums that I always ventured to, and is currently a moderator of, started to overload my messenger, and mailbox. Since everyone knew where I came from. Just as I had said it, it changed everyone in the world. Everyone in all countries seen this storm hit. Not a place on earth that the event didn't affect in someone's heart. I told them that I was alright, and So was my grandfather. though, as the days passed, in all honestly, once we seen what was left of our old neighborhood, we knew in our hearts, and with our own eyes. There was no home to go back to. Eventually, the months passed on, and We had decided to star anew in Baker. for the most part, it was now our new home.

May 9th 2006, 7:10 AM "my birthday"

I had got a car of my own, thanks to the money that i got from FEMA, and a brand new laptop with it. Along with clothes and such. I drove back home to New Orleans with two of my friends who also were staying with us. Since they also got out of the storm. when we made it down there, it was my first initial time actually seeing how things was long after it was over, and the city deemed fit to return and look around in. What i saw of my old neighborhood, was nothing more than an area just frozen in time. I held my tears back, and took out my Digital Camera, and started to take pictures. Because my grandfather was unable to come down to the cift again, let alone be able to drive that far ever again.

What you are about to see is indeed real pictures that i took from my digital camera. As it was once my old neighborhood. So the most that I ask, is that care is taken when viewed.

To be part of something that is now a part of American History, I really don't know what to think about it. Not only my life was part of it, but my Granfather's as well. And rest his soul now, he's at least in a better place. As for me, I have to at least move on, and live my life the way he let me live it. and that was by care, Love, Honor & most importantly, Respect for the life God has given each and every one of us.

August 29th 2005 Is a say that I, nor anyone else will forget. It s going to be the day the world changed forever. And now, to be alone, typing tis Blog up, and you're wondering what is to happen to me now, A 23 year old Native of New Orleans, just do from here on out? Well, I made up my mind when he passed. and that was to live my life as i seen fit, as he would want me to live & do it.

I'm getting the chance to move on with myself, I just have to accept & learn that he will no longer around as the same. It feels odd to not hear him reading his bible. I never disturbed him when he was reading his bible. Disturbing someone whey they are reading the Bible was like a sin to me. I only bothered to bother him during the time that it was absolutely needed. Now those days are gone. But nothing will be more real when actually thinking about it. or Being through it for that matter. because in the sad, an grim reality of the situation.......We can't change what was done, but it is now time to take on a different walking path on the road of life. And simply accept the change that life gives you.

DarkValentine