Katrina aftermath: Personal stories from ground zero

[Mabel Dodge]

Katrina aftermath: Personal stories from ground zero
Friday September 16, 6:00 am ET
Craig Guillot

For the people in the path of Hurricane Katrina, the aftereffects of the cataclysmic storm now rule their lives. Even those far removed remain stunned by the unthinkable tragedy. The news coming out of the area is so awful it's mind-numbing.

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Marica Mackenroth
It's hard enough suffering the financial blow of a natural disaster such as Katrina, but it can seem even harder when you're just getting on your feet. Recent Loyola graduate Marica Mackenroth, 23, landed her first job as a client service coordinator just a few months ago. She had a great starting salary and was in line for a promotion until the hurricane struck.

"I don't know if I have a job or not, and I don't know if I should try to set up camp here in Baton Rouge or go back and salvage what I can," she says. "I'm so worried about my loans, about $70,000, and I don't even have a job anymore."

The first few days of the disaster Marica couldn't access her bank account from an ATM, but the hefty debt is a load upon her shoulders. She doesn't even know what has happened to her Garden District apartment and assumes that it has been looted.

"All of my school loan stuff, all my consolidation and insurance documents are back home. You just never think it's going to happen to you. My college diploma, I'm sure it's all floating around in toxic waste."

Vanessa Hammons
Vanessa Hammons, 24, a dental assistant from Kenner, La., thought she was just leaving town for a few days when she evacuated the city. She, her mother and 1-year-old son headed for a campground in Southwestern Louisiana where they stayed until they started running low on funds.

(more) http://biz.yahoo.com/brn/050916/17459.html?.v=1

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Thanks

[Mabel Dodge]

2. You're Welcome

I think it's important to see what the long term effects of Katrina will be.