Hey Mississippi...How Are You All Doing?

[Sean in New Orleans]

I just want to say that I frequently think of you all on the MS Gulf Coast. We've got our issues and major recovery going on here in Metro New Orleans. My parents lived in St. Bernard Parish and their entire community went under real deep. We're still heartbroken over here, but, I just wanted to say that I frequently think of the Gulf Coast and want real answers on how the recovery is going over there, what are your issues, and when do you think that life will turn back to what we all would call "relatively normal?" I hope all is well. Hey, we're in this together and everyone knows how awful this is, but, truthfully, unless you have it in your face daily, I'm not to sure that a whole lot of people that don't live here understand, wholly, the magnitude of the crisis we are still facing every day. God Bless You all...

[Javlin]

Sean it's going fairly well 90 still looks rough if you drive it daily but to someone who has not been down there in a month it looks better.Still alot of work to be done.Big problem NOTHING to do for entertainment really no reaturants you use to go to is the biggest thing to me.I was thinking about starting a thread for juast this one reason HAS anybody heard anything about Harbour View restruant God I miss that place.I always thought thr best fried seafood platter on Coast huge and at good price with just a touch N.O. heat.Kevin

[Lindaloo]

Things are getting better and better for me! I rode by the beach today and people are trying to get their lives back together, well, most of them. People are starting to open their businesses again. Only thing I do not like seeing are all the for sale signs going up, especially near the beach.

Thanks for thinking about us Sean. It is refreshing!!

Don't worry Javlin, we shall rise again!! (((HUGS)))

[Audrey2Katrina]

It IS a long slow recovery, isn't it? At least I think the overall outlook for the MGC is a lot better than for many areas around New Orleans. St. Bernard Parish is in shambles, and only a relic of what it once was--it's truly depressing to drive through the area. I have confidence in the spirit of the folks along the MGC to rebuild after Katrina, just as they had after Camille. The determination and drive is just palpable. Sorry to hear about the "For Sale" signs; but I see a lot of those down here as well.

Personally I think the coast will recover, given enough "hurricane-free" time to restore her to most of her erstwhile grandeur--I only wish I could say the same for "Da Parish", and much of New Orleans.

A2K

[TSmith274]

I had the opportunity to drive the MGC today for the first time. Reminded me of lower Plaquemines, but more progress in Mississippi, thankfully. For all the battles that lay ahead for the New Orleans area, don't ever forget that New Orleanians are thinking about yall. Like someone said... we're in this together.

[bevgo]

Being a home owner in Marrero LA (suburb of NO) and living on the MS Gulf Coast, I see problems ahead for both areas. The destruction is just so overwhelming. I do see progress in both areas though. I know those of us in MS think we were ignored to some extent, but that is just the big city mentality of the media. I know I have friends in NO that were concerned about us and I know how concerned we were about the greater New Orleans area (including all the devastated areasd surrounding that great city. Thanks for expressing your concern. We do feel forgotten at times.

[brunota2003]

whats going on in Waveland and Gulfport? Havent heard anything since Mark was there...anyone heard anything new or wild/exciting?

[HurryKane]

Personally I think the coast will recover, given enough "hurricane-free" time to restore her to most of her erstwhile grandeur--I only wish I could say the same for "Da Parish", and much of New Orleans.

I dunno. While there's a lot of public sentiment against giant roadways, bridges, condos, and concrete, that seems to be getting ignored by state and local officials. With the latest request from the Mississippi wind pool to hike rates 398%, I do not see a lot of people hanging around or coming to the area if they're not able to get insurance from a commercial insurer.

Hello, MS Gulf Big-Ol'-Stretch-O-Concrete. Goodbye, quirky coast with small town feel.

[Bluefrog]

Just when you think things are starting to get a little better then we get hit with the 400% insurance increase. I'm a Realtor and this is NOT good news for rebuilding etc.

[Audrey2Katrina]

Hello, MS Gulf Big-Ol'-Stretch-O-Concrete. Goodbye, quirky coast with small town feel.

That is a sad epitaph for the Gulf Coast... and I think it's also going to be what happens to a lot of neighborhoods in N.O.--particularly the Holy Cross (part of the 9th) neighborhood.

A2K

[beachbum_al]

I can tell you how recovery in Alabama is going. Better than I expected. Life is getting back to normal and businesses that were damage or destroyed by Katrina's surge are back for business. The Grand Hotel just reopen their doors and are hiring which is a big thing for this area. A lot of the businesses on the causeway are rebuilding and some are reopen. Piers are being rebuilt. They started on the Fairhope Big Pier and the Daphne Piers are being rebuilt too. They are also had the blessing of the fleet in Bayou la Batre but I don't think all of the fleet was able to participate due to damage. But I think the area is recovering and will be back better and stronger. I also think MS and LA will be back better and stronger too.

[MSRobi911]

Bluefrog, I hear you. I don't know what we are going to do. I don't know if we can afford to buy insurance to cover a house if we decide to build another one here. We are paying for insurance on a house that is no longer here just to keep our policy because if we didn't we would not be able to get wind coverage in a policy without going into the Wind Pool and lord knows I don't want to have to do that. Those rate hikes are absolutely outrageous. What really makes me angry is that the Wind Pool paid off on their policies for wind damage on a percentage basis, but you can't get another insurer to admit to any wind damage along the Beach front in Pascagoula..........I won't get started! Law suit city, here we come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hate to give an attorney part of any money we may get, but I feel that if we don't we won't get any money out of them. Heck, even our insurance agent told us to sue the heck out them...not his words, but I will be nice here

Mary

[Lindaloo]

My cousin Donna (Debbie's sister) was just approved for a 500,000 dollar SBA loan. Have you tried that route Mary?

If the wind pool gets their rate hike it will be a 400% increase. If George Dale approves that then he needs to be gone!!

[Audrey2Katrina]

Law suit city, here we come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go for it, and I hope to high heaven you folks win!

A2K

[Agua]

Goodbye, quirky coast with small town feel.

Old Ocean Springs came out relatively well. I suppose they built downtown where they did for a reason.

[MSRobi911]

My cousin Donna (Debbie's sister) was just approved for a 500,000 dollar SBA loan. Have you tried that route Mary?

If the wind pool gets their rate hike it will be a 400% increase. If George Dale approves that then he needs to be gone!!

Yep have gone the SBA route and have been approved for some $'s of course minus the flood insurance we received although we had to pay off the mortgage with that money, but we found a house in Moss Point to buy temporarily until things are decided down here and I called about getting it transferred to a relocation loan...they want to attach a lein on both the house we are buying and the land on Washington AND we have to put our land on the market for at least 2 years and make an effort to sell the property so that SBA can get their money back.....I don't really know if its worth it....2. what ever interest sounds good...but the hoops you have to jump through and the things they want you to do are just a little bit "much" in my opinion.

Mary

[Bluefrog]

You have to put the Washington Property up for sale for 2 years ... what the hell is that about??? Especially if you want to keep it to rebuild on.

[Bluefrog]

I swear I'm OVER this ****. This is beyond what normal people should have to endure.

[Bluefrog]

[MSRobi911]

I know Tif, this is driving me crazy. We are just going to go thru FF again and not mess with the SBA. The conditions are just entirely too much. We don't want to put our property on the market, cause we don't know if we are going to build back. Right now, you can't find a contractor and who wants to pay the going rate per square foot. There is no hurry. The land isn't going anywhere unless another "Katrina" comes and washes it away. OHHHH did I mention this house in Moss Point didn't get ANY flood waters from Katrina....that makes me feel good, it stopped at the house next door cause its a lot lower ground than the one we are buying.

Talking to Robi about when we could move in, etc....and then I remember...heck I don't have anything to move except some towels and some sheets.....no beds to put the sheets on...but we got sheets and we got POTS to cook something on...so I guess we will have a Pot to go in AND a window to throw it out of