All i remember is sometime the first week after the storm, when we got to the house in Plaquemine. Everyone was told to file with FEMA. To call this #. We had 26 people in this one house and i remember the phone being passed from one to the other, becuase it was impossible to get them on the phone and somene in the house actually got through. Everyone in that house was from St. Bernard. The majority of us living on the same street here. We were all turned down by FEMA. They said they found that our property did not suffer damages capable of receiving benefits from the federal government. In other words, they gave us the finger.

Home owners insurance did not pay out except for the roof. They said it was all flood damage, that the wind came after the water surge. Which in the video you can see that is not true. So Home Owners, not matter who with, made it law that they would only pay above the water level. And our water level was the eaves of the roof.

If you had flood insurnace, you got paid full minus your deductible. We were one of the lucky ones, we had it. So many didnt. I remember reading somewhere that out of the 26,000 homes in St. Bernard Parish, only about 15% had flood insurnace. Thats why so many havent been able to do anything to their homes. Alot of the money to fix this house came out of our own pockets cause we had flood insurance from the late 60's standards, which was barely anything at all. Many people rebuild there homes as they make money at their regular jobs. You save a little, then buy your doors for the house. You save a little, then you buy your lighting fixtures, etc.

FEMA and Home Owners both are flakes are far as i am concerned.

We did have a hospital down here. But its since been demolished and we now have to travel at least 45 - 50 to the nearest one. There is a small medical clinic in trailers in the Walmart parking lot. Thats been there since i think around early summer of 2006. From what i hear there is only one doctor there. And thats the parish coroner. Sweet , eh. Dr. Bertucci.

I have heard that the parish govt. has been trying to get federal money to build another hospital down here or to get a company to open one of their hospitals here. The parish is willing to give the land up for this to happen. But, as of now, federal govt. says no and i dont think any companies have taken this seriously.

There is a need for doctors and nurses, anyone and everyone in the medical field down here since the storm. Something like 85% left and did not come back. Thats speaking of the entire New Orleans Metro Area. Which includes, New Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard and Plaquemines Parishes. Most hospitals in the city arent even reopened.

Tell your daughters friend, 'da parish hasnt forgotten her. It's in her and always will be. She is the heart of da parish. And hopefully one day, like so many many others, they will be able to come home. Please give her my condolences. I know the scenerio she went through with her husband. I've experienced it myself with family and friends. It's still going on and down here its gotten really bad. People are so sick and tired that they either burn a house down (150 arson fires of homes just last month in St. Bernard) or they put themselves out and let themselves go. I, myself, go through the motions almost daily of suicide. What you see each day you look out your window seems it will never change. Going on 2 1/2 years and its still the same. I promised someone i would post some pics of houses on my street. Of neighbors who came back and of those who've not. I will do that as soon as i can. Charging batteries as i speak for digital camera.

If your daughters friend would like me to try and contact someone for her down here, by placing a note on a house or anything at all, just let me know. I've done it a million times. Its sometimes the only way of finding those we once were always with.

Yes, i lived in a FEMA trailer for over a year. Both me and my cat. A few months ago it came out about the awful smell in it, that burned your eyes and made you cough (the Katrina cough). It was all caused from the formeldahyde they used in building those tin cans. I kept my windows open as much as possible and left the a/c or a fan on. I and my cat became immune to it. At least i thought. Two months after moving out of the trailer, the cough i had went away. But my cat died due to catching pneumonia and her diabetes went through the roof. I was tested two monts after being out of the trailer and had a low level of it in my system and had to take some medicine for a few weeks. It kills me, becuase i was told the day i signed that contract to move in that the burning smell was nothing to be worried about. ********. I've left that behind me. There are class action lawsuits going on cause of that, but i've decided not to join in on any. I dont want to deal with that anymore.

If there are any other questions you have, send them my way. If i'm capable of answering them i will.

And (((((okie))))thank you for caring so much. I dont know what you know of St. Bernard Parish during and after the storm, but i have some dvd's of friends who stayed and other stuff if you'd like copies. They may help you understand this little blue collar/fishing village a little better.

thanks,
chalmette