is my hope that this book will reflect the spirit and passion of a great people through their stories of heroism, determination, and sheer perseverance and in doing so, perhaps teach the rest of our nation the gritty depth, magnitude, and effect Katrina has had on all of us.
Foreword By Gerald Pool
Before analyzing the psychology of a disaster, it is important to acknowledge and honor those who have experienced the great storms, fires, terrorist attacks, volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis and wars of our time. Their lives and the lives of their loved ones have been unforgettably altered by disaster.
With those who have seen such calamity, therein resides a window exposing elements of the human psyche. It is through this porthole that we hope to gaze. And maybe in our gazing, we will catch a glimpse of the human spirit of our collective social consciousness. It is our hope that the pages of this book might breed or rekindle our hopes and faith in the human spirit to not only stimulate and enlighten readers in a meaningful way, but also to bring peace to survivors wherever they may be.
Also worthy of citation for superhuman contributions are the first responders and countless paid and unpaid volunteer workers who assisted creatures of all species, very often at great personal risk. Your stories are the definitive study of stamina, compassion, courage, and of goodness itself.
If you are one of those workers, volunteers, or survivors, or if recent events injured or took the life of a pet or other loved one, I encourage you to contact an easily reachable personal resource or two. Let them know you are reading a book that could bring back strong and even overwhelming memories. Tell the person that you may need to talk or be comforted. At the first sign of depression, flashbacks or other potentially dangerous reactions, please postpone further reading until you’ve contacted a professional resource such as doctor, therapist, or trusted clergy.
External, physical disasters are sudden, calamitous events which cause extensive property damage, loss of life, and/or financial ruin. There are ‘natural disasters,’ ‘human-caused disasters,’ and the combined, ‘natural and human-caused disasters.’ Hurricanes, terrorist acts, and mudslides in populated areas are respective examples.
As you might expect, there are many internal or human reactions to external disasters. The depths of their impact defy full understanding. Restudying those reactions help us to validate and heal. Perhaps with luck we will even learn about ourselves in this journey we call life.
40% percent of major hurricanes occurring in the United States involve the state of Florida. Additionally, Florida and Texas have survived 83% of all U.S. hurricanes measuring Category 4 and higher. Therefore, the residents of those states and their respective disaster response structures are much less likely to deny and therefore, more likely to prepare for weather or wildfire emergencies as a part of life.
Louisiana has experienced 18% of the hurricanes that directly hit the U.S. mainland. It is suggested that the small percentage of direct hits, though very destructive, combined with the media sensationalizing about the inconsequential, lulled the Gulf Coast and especially New Orleans into a great denial. Likely, the denial insidiously swayed authorities in New Orleans and the surrounding parishes to ignore the social and psychological acceptance of the reality that helped to mobilize and consequently protect Floridians and Texans.
Since Louisiana and other of the Gulf Coast states were psychologically vulnerable, arguments could be raised to claim political vulnerability as well. It has been argued that lawmakers seem to avoid proactive measures, especially where the needs of minorities are concerned, until they can no longer do so for purposes of retaining their political offices.
Pre-Katrina, New Orleans seemed to show no signs of heightened alert or even proactive repair to its storm response infrastructure. The absence of extraordinary efforts suggests that residents and officials alike were expecting a mild season. From Katrina’s humble beginnings as Tropical Depression 12 on August 23rd, 2005, until Hurricane Wilma dissipated on October 26th, 2005, the Gulf Coast was in for the most abnormally destructive hurricane season ever recorded.
During the summer of 2005, records for strength and seasonal activity, intensity, frequency, casualties, and monetary loss were smashed by storm after storm.
Those terrifying days found most of us watching from afar in shock and disbelief, thinking ‘the rescuers will show up soon,’ or, ‘this will stop any minute now.’
Humans and animals in at least 12 different countries were affected by the major storms in the Gulf of Mexico during 2005.
Remote trauma and the damage sustained by witnesses were very widespread as well. Acute depression and burn out followed quickly. By the end of this deadly season, even Katrina would be out done. Our denial as a nation has cost us dearly.
The solidarity we claim to have as Americans, in our hearts and minds, seems a natural consequence to our American identity. Roughly translated, it boasts, “No matter what, we’ll be there for you,” or “No one gets left behind!”
Sadly though, and regardless of why, many Gulf Coast Americans found themselves literally drowning, abandoned in their hour of greatest need.
As relentless and devastating as the disasters were, they cannot equal the soul piercing abandonment or the unthinkable persecution of their survivors. For most, the elation and gratitude of having survived the storm were gone in a matter of a few hours. It was replaced by the fears, then the realities of dehydration, starvation, missed medication therapy, infection and exposure to the elements and disease.
The nation watched and waited for a Lyndon Johnson or for a Rudy Giuliani. We knew that at any moment now, the commander-in-chief of the country’s next heroes would march through the streets, sleeves rolled up, reassuring victims, demanding compassion and dispersing life sustaining supplies.
Animal rescue organizations had mobilized and set up operations across the Gulf Coast as early as August 27th.
Evacuations of companion animals were already underway while some humans were prevented, at gunpoint, from walking to safety.
What happens next time is up to us.
New plans replaced those of the previous in a seemingly endless cycle of chaos. Disaster preparedness drills and trainings are in full swing all over the United States. Animals are being rescued, treated, sheltered, reunited with families, fostered or adopted. Evacuation routes and procedures are being marked.
Large volunteer networks, like Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO) and Habitat for Humanity reach out with volunteers from all over the country. We are a closer, more prepared nation now. We have begun to learn that ignorance and denial are deadly.
Eliminating cruelty has become a bipartisan issue. We know more strongly than ever that what affects our neighbors across the street or across the nation has a profound effect on us at home.
Gerald Pool, CADCII
June, 2007
I observed the ferocity and intensity of the chaos that gripped the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina had made her indelible mark. The flooding, the death, and the politicians entered our consciousness through the screens of our televisions in the days and weeks that followed the storm.
