STARKVILLE, Miss. – Navigating life after a devastating natural disaster is never an easy journey. It is a path strewn with loss, grief, and the arduous process of rebuilding. The catastrophic Hurricane Katrina was no exception. Nineteen years ago, a storm was brewing near Paul Piccard’s family and home in Liberty, Mississippi, close to Baton Rouge, while he was working miles away in British Columbia. He recalls the impending doom that led him back to his family and ultimately to a new life in Starkville, Mississippi.
A Daunting Journey Home
In the early stages, Katrina did not appear to pose any significant threat. However, upon viewing the massive white cloud formation on television, Piccard felt a stark sense of urgency. The hurricane was tracking distressingly close to his home.
“I felt a real urge to get home as quick as I could, and it didn’t look like I had much time,” Piccard recounted.
Piccard embarked on a harrowing journey back home, starting with a Cessna 180 float plane from Canada to Seattle. When a technical issue hit the aircraft, Piccard decided to carry on, driven by his desire to reunite with his family. His trek took him through Dallas and finally back to Baton Rouge, amidst a tranquil sunny day that belied the impending storm. Just as they had to brace for the hurricane, so did the airport.
Aftermath of Katrina
The hurricane razed through Liberty, leaving behind a trail of destroyed homes, knocked-out power supplies, and uprooted trees. The town was cut-off from the outside world, and their survival largely depended on self-reliance and mutual aid.
“Nobody was coming to rescue you. You had to do it yourself,” Piccard reflected, recollecting the challenging times that followed Katrina’s wrath.
The devastated town started receiving busloads of people fleeing the worst-hit areas, stretching the town’s limited resources thinner. However, amidst the havoc, Piccard saw the power of community spirit, emerging from the ruins of catastrophe.
“Everyone was just working together…At that point, everybody started trying to dig the town out and dig the county out of the damage,” he said.
Temporary shelters were opened, and local residents generously opened their homes to the displaced strangers. The shared hardship resulted in bonds of humanity, bridging the gaps in an otherwise deeply divided society.
Starting Fresh in Starkville
The hurricane’s aftermath indirectly led Piccard towards a fresh start in Starkville. With his erstwhile business in shambles as the farms that purchased baby fish from him were left in ruin, it was time to create something new. Piccard and his family decided to move to Starkville permanently, a decision that they continue to cherish today.
“Even though we weren’t really directly up here as refugees, the business I was in…was over…and we just said, ‘We’ll just come to Starkville.’ So we moved back, and we’ve been here ever since.”
Starting anew in Starkville, Piccard found a vibrant community in the Golden Triangle. Here, he was able to rebuild a new life and forge a new career path. Looking back at the harrowing journey, Piccard finds solace in the sense of community he has found here, a testament to the city’s resilience and warmth.
The devastating experiences of Hurricane Katrina continue to be a vivid memory. Even today, reminders of the need for robust disaster response mechanisms and stronger community ties echo in the serenity of Starkville – a town that opened its heart to those seeking refuge after Katrina – serving as a beacon of hope and resilience in the aftermath of a disaster.
