Louisiana State Museum Hurricane Katrina Oral History Project

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The Louisiana State Museum is actively collecting oral histories from people about their experiences related Hurricane Katrina.
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Joseph West-Hurricane Katrina Oral History
Joseph West-Hurricane Katrina Oral History
Interviews
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Hurricanes
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Evacuations
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New Orleans (La.)
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Louisiana State Museum
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Joseph West is an Assistant General Council at Entergy New Orleans and is married to Nadine Ford, an obstetrician who was employed at Methodist Hospital at the time Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. When West’s wife was told that she would have to remain on-call during the hurricane, she and West decided to stay at the hospital in New Orleans East with their three-month old son while his mother-in–law and two older children evacuated to Baton Rouge. West gives a detailed account of the events that took place in the hospital from the initial moments of the storm to the loss of electricity, loss of food and supplies, loss of life, and eventual rescue. His story offers an inside perspective of the horrific events that took place in Methodist and other hospitals in the time between the onset of the hurricane and the evacuation by helicopter, up to five days later, including manually respiring critically ill patients for hours at a time, only to watch them die, and moving roughly three-hun
Katherine B. Larroque-Hurricane Katrina Oral Histories
Katherine B. Larroque-Hurricane Katrina Oral Histories
Interviews
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Hurricanes
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Evacuations
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Levees
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Canals
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New Orleans (La.)
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Louisiana State Museum
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Katherine B. Larroque and her blind mother and sick husband were rescued by boat in Lakeview. Native of area, never evacuated. Mother pulled out of attic and rolled down roof to rescue boat. Made way to LSU Shelter, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Mother went into hospital; died in early 2006. Describes small time living in rural community as she made her way to Jefferson Parish. Emphasizes kindness of strangers. See husband’s interview, Urban Larroque-retired policeman.
Lily Duke-Hurricane Katrina Oral History
Lily Duke-Hurricane Katrina Oral History
Interviews
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Hurricanes
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Assistance
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New Orleans (La.)
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Louisiana State Museum
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Lily Duke moved to New Orleans shortly before Hurricane Katrina to work as an independent film producer. After evacuating the city, she tried to return to her Algiers home but was told that she would only be allowed in if she joined a relief organization. Once in, she recognized the dire need for additional relief organizations so she started her own. What began as a small distribution center set up in Mardi Gras World soon grew into multiple outlets throughout the affected areas. Her organization was independent of any federal or formal relief groups and all supplies were received through donation.
Richard Grosch-Hurricane Katrina Oral History
Richard Grosch-Hurricane Katrina Oral History
Interviews
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Hurricanes
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New Orleans (La.)
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Louisiana State Museum
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Mr. Grosch stayed in New Orleans because of his pets and health problems. Rescued in Lakeview by the ""Cajun Navy."" Retired civil engineer. Native of New Orleans. Wife and mother-in-law left; he stayed. When rescued he was brought the Causeway Boulevard and then to Nicholl’s University in Thibodoux, Louisiana. During his rescue and evacuation he befriended his reclusive neighbor, stayed in numerous places, and was the recipient of kindness and generosity from strangers. He will not rebuild in Lakeview.
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