Where Are They Now?
It's been two years since Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, devastating the region, killing close to 2,000, and displacing many more. In 2005, ESSENCE met three New Orleans families whose lives changed dramatically the day the levees broke. Jeannine Amber recently followed up with them.
By Jeannine Amber


Credit: Tamara Reynolds
Wilfred with his children D'alyliah and Darius who occasionally visit with him in Arkansas.

Wilfred Jackson, 22, lives in Fort Smith, Arkansas

After the storm my family got flown to Fort Smith by rescue workers. At first I was just complaining about everything, but I like it now. It's real quiet. The hurricane gave me an opportunity to see there's more to the world than just New Orleans. I haven't been back there, but I'd like to go to see my two kids who are there with their mother.

My parents live upstairs from me with my 5-year-old brother and 9-year-old sister. They're all straight, just kicking it like judo. We still get rental assistance from FEMA, and the kids are doing real well, going to school and watching cartoons.

Up until a few weeks ago, I had a job at a furniture warehouse, but they fired me because I was late twice. I was relying on people to give me a ride and they were on a different schedule. My boss didn't tolerate that at all. But that's okay because I'm working on getting my GED. Eventually I want to get into real estate because there is a whole lot of money in that. I wantto invest in something like a vacation resort. It's not impossible. Everything starts as a dream.

Continued on the next page »

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What do you think


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-5 latest comments

I must say when I read this article I was embarrassed for myself (native Houstonian) and other Houstonians. It brought tears to my eye because I have made those very statements, "I'm sick of them" or "I wish they would go back to where they came from,? Iwould like to apologize to all Hurricane Victims for my actions and I?m sure other that have said those awful things would do so as well. I hope that Navarre Powe accepts my apology and know that as a Houstonian I welcome her and hope that things go wellfor her and her fami

-Danielle

Dear Readers

I am also a victim of Hurricane Katrina and i really don't know where to begin with the comment i would like to leave for every one that would read this comment.First thing is you have know right to pass a comment for something you know nothing about.Those of use that had to go thur that hurendus ordeal knows what it feels like to lose EVERYTHING do you.Have you ever had to leave your dewelling the place you call home with NOTHING i repeat NOTHING.Have your children ever wanted to just go some where and hide w

-Chenell Randolph

2 years later and still with FEMA assistance?

Be thankful, other disaster victims were lucky to get 60 days help, if THAT.


-Just as displaced by Charley

You can't rely on the goverment for help people, you need to just work your hardest to get on your own feet again. You have made it this far so I know you can do it. It may be hard but have to start somewhere. Please, just try and a few years from now; you will look back and say " look what we have been through and we did it!"

God Bless,

-Cambridge, MN :)

I feel deeply sorry for all the people who were displaced by Katrina and lost so many things. My heart goes to them. After 2 years, I think now its time for all of us to rebuild our lives! Count on your self, your skills, your network, your church and God to find another way to live a peaceful life. The governement cant help you. For the first time, Katrina really help bring down to earth what are our reality. The reality is: you need savings, you need decent K-12 education and faith to survive natural castatrophes.

-natacha