New Orleans residents mark Hurricane Katrina’s 20th anniversary by sharing how community resilience and cultural joy helped rebuild the city after devastation.
Twenty years after Hurricane Katrina, survivors and first responders are reflecting on how their personal hardships pushed them to persevere and rebuild New Orleans.
«I was in the water trying to get to my parents», said Salvation Army Captain David Brittle. «But I didn’t realize God was using me to save others. After losing almost everything in Katrina, including a parent, I don’t take it for granted that I now have the privilege to share my faith.»
In August 2005, the world saw Hurricane Katrina become the deadliest and costliest storm in the U.S. In that devastation, Brittle went on a two-and-a-half-day mission through the flooded streets in an attempt to save his parents, rescuing others along the way.
Riding in an airboat off Highway 10, Brittle proceeded despite police warnings. They passed the Garden District and the French Quarter, iconic landmarks that were unrecognizable.
«I’ve never seen or felt darkness like that before», he said. «You could hear gunshots, helicopters overhead and people screaming in the distance.»
Just weeks before Brittle set out on his search, he had been working for Loomis Armored Car while living in Texas with his wife and kids. Then his family decided to move to New Orleans, where his father, Major Brittle, worked as area commander of The Salvation Army.
As the storm intensified, Major Brittle stayed in the city to keep the Center of Hope Shelter open for those in need and encouraged his son to take his wife and children to his sister’s house in Houston, a 12-hour drive.
When Katrina made landfall, more than 50 levees and floodwalls failed, causing 80% of the city to flood. One of those buildings was the Center of Hope. Although nestled on a slight incline, the sheer power of the storm was no match.
«For it to get into the first floor of the building, that’s a lot of water», said Captain Brittle.
In an attempt to save the lives of those in the flooding shelter, Major Brittle rapidly flickered lights, like Morse code, trying to get the attention of helicopters.
