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Our Katrina Experiences
My name is Greg Bunch, and I am a realtor with Keller Williams. My fiancee Danielle Dowdy is a topnotch mortgage broker and owner of Front Porch Loans. After living for years in St. Bernard Parish, we lost our home to Hurricane Katrina, as did so many others.
To view a photo album taken just 6 weeks after Katrina, showing the damage done to our home and to the 2500 block of Maureen Lane in Meraux, click here.
Thankfully, we evacuated 2 days ahead of the storm, and had flood insurance with maximum coverage, even though we were in a "no-flood" zone and flood insurance was not required. (ALWAYS get flood insurance, even when it's "not required!" Flood coverage is very inexpensive when you're in a no-flood zone, and can save you financially after a catastrophic loss.) It only costs $348 per year for maximum coverage in a no-flood zone, which is $250,000.00 on your dwelling, $100,000.00 on your contents. It is one of the wisest investments you can make. We cannot stress its importance.
We evacuated to Gainesville, Georgia, which is northeast of Atlanta, and stayed with friends. People there were incredibly gracious and kind to us. They donated cash, tons of clothes, school uniforms, etc. We received assistance from FEMA, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and KW Cares. We used only what we needed, so that others less fortunate than us could benefit from the generosity of these fine groups.
Our 2 months in Georgia were spent dealing with insurance and creditors, finding a house from hundreds of miles away, and trying to keep a sense of comfort and security for our young child. Though we were well-covered through our flood insurance, we lost everything that couldn't come with us in our 2 cars when we evacuated, and money doesn't make up for the memories and irreplaceable items. Nor does it lessen the psychological effect a disaster like Katrina has. It was not easy, and yet we are thankful for all that we have, since compared to many, we consider ourselves fortunate. Continued on page 2...
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