Talking about condition in 1969

[beachbum_al]

Reading the stories here from people who actually went through Camille amazes me. I have chill bumps going up my back right now reading about that night MS. I can't even begin to imagine what all of you went through that night. I been through hurricanes but never one has powerful as Camille and hope I never do.

One thing I do find amazing is how people don't think of themselves during storms but they try to help others instead. When a natural disaster occurs it brings the good out in people.

[Jim Cantore]

Conditions had to be no less the perfect to support Camille

Charley had them right before landfall

Ivan Had them most his life

Floyd had them for a time

Andrew had them in the bahamas

Hugo Did at times

the Labor Day storm in 1935 storm must of had amazingly perfect conditions to explode from 80 to near 200 in about a day

Lili in 2002 for that short period did (100 to 145 in 12 hours)

Isabel did for a time then got sheered like crazy

Jeanne did in the bahamas

Frances had smooth sailing UNTIL the bahamas

Mitch for that time period did

Opal did overnight before landfall (105 to 150 overnight)

Ethel.... did not ("160" to 70 in 18 hours) (note the quotes around 160 cause I dont buy it was that strong)

Debby... did not (oh look the next andrew is gone)

[Ixolib]

Same here but I do understand, very well and I know right where you are coming from... I just wish I knew 10% back then what I know about hurricanes now... I was in a house on Oak Street on Point Cadet... heck we were only a couple of blocks north of Howard Ave... sometime last that evening I can't recall the time... I watched the gulf come in our house at an unbelievable rate... we had 5 feet of water...

I was only 17 at the time... I can remember my mother, grandmother and aunt all on top our our kitchen table, sitting on chairs, saying the rosary, they were almost hysterical from fear... but the amazing thing for me was that I never really got scared, and even more amazing, right at the height of the storm, about 11:30 pm... when the water was at its highest.. I heard some guy screaming outside our door and I figured he was dying or something... as he was walking on the street/sidewalk the water was up to his neck and he was carrying a flashlight above his head... when I opened the door he asked me if we need any help... he was up to his neck in raging water and debris and he ask me if WE needed any help... I never knew who this guy was but he had more guts than any person I have ever met... after that I figured we'd be OK... .. I guess I was just to dumb to realize what was happening...

now that I think about it I was better off being dumb... because if it were to happen again today I'd probably die of a heart attack..

Hey Frank - know that area well. My Grandpa was the pastor at the Friendship Chapel on Oak Steet when Camille hit (I think it's a Vietnamese church now). By the time we made it the 2 miles to the Point after the storm, the church was in a shambles - bell tower gone, pews strewn everywhere, waterline showed about 8 feet of water if I recall correctly. And the church he had just transferred from (Back Bay Mission where the IP is now) was equally in a shambles. The stories could (and do) go on and on... And who could forget ALL THE MUD!!!!!

[wolfray]

I wish to thank those of you that experienced Camille for sharing your stories with the rest of us. It had to be a night that will forever be etched in your minds.