Many of us remember hurricane Katrina all too well, some more than others. I just remember watching it on the news and not even really grasping what they were going through and how bad it really was. Being up in North Dakota at the time all you heard and saw was what they talked about and put on the news. Until we went through our very own flood in Valley City in the spring of 2009, did I really understand the situation they were going through. However, I would consider us North Dakotans very lucky, even though at the time it didn’t seem like very much luck, compared to the residents of New Orleans. All forms of communication were about wiped out during the storm. Cell phone towers were either damaged or being flooded with so many people trying to reach loved ones that the call lines were jammed and unusable. My boyfriend was down here living at the time and said he tried to call his family living back up in Montana and couldn’t get his call or even a text message up to them. His family went a day or two without knowing his status. How scary would that be?

August 29, 2009 marked the 4th anniversary of when hurricane Katrina first hit land in New Orleans, Louisiana. There were many events and ceremonies that were planned for the anniversary. Some of the events going on were:
· Raising of more than 1,400 white flags with the hand written names of those who died in the flooding and storm
· Tulane Universities students, alumni, and faculty gathering together to go throughout the city and do volunteer work
· A memorial celebration that includes photography and video documentary of the storm and disaster

Now that I am actually living down here in Louisiana, the effects of hurricane Katrina are still very present. I really wanted to go to New Orleans right when I came down here as I had never been before and I wanted to see what it was like post hurricane. I was very surprised! When you walk down Bourbon Street you would not really be able to tell that it was once completely wiped out. There is fresh paint on all the buildings, new signs, beautiful landscaping, and it looks like it is right out of the movies.

President Obama said he will make a trip down to New Orleans this year to talk with the residents. Many people from all over the United States came to the aid of the residents of New Orleans. From sending every day staple items that they no longer had to sending money to help rebuild. Some even came by the busloads to help rebuild homes and businesses with their own two hands. We Valley Citians know that feeling, of seeing relief come by the busloads to help save our city that we love so much.