We thought that we were prepared for anything after having seen the things that we had for the past two weeks; we were wrong. Peter, Evan, and I drove down Highway 27 towards Hollybeach on "Look and Leave" Sunday. The roadblock was the most stringent we'd seen. Despite having press passes, we were referred to the OEP headquarters for clearance. There we saw a small, overworked, exhausted, but dedicated group. While speaking to the coordinators, an older man walked in carrying a box of nails which he gave to one of the men we were talking to. When the man left we were told that he was typical of the residents there, he had lost everything, yet was bringing needed building supplies to help others.
There was no anger or resentment here, only a strong determination to rebuild. Even though 7% of the nation's natural gas comes from there, little serious attention has been given to this area. People need housing, there is nothing left. Building supplies are in short supply. The task here dwarfs what we saw anywhere else, these people have to rebuild not only their homes, but their entire infrastructure.
Driving down 27, into Hollybeach and throughout the area, we saw total and complete ruin. More often that not we found only slabs where homes used to be. Boats are on high, dry ground. Sea buoys are strewn along the beach and into the marshes.
Yet, despite everything we saw, the spirit here was remarkable. No complaints, no cries for help. American flags were everywhere. Signs were posted promising that the community would be rebuilt. Even when you could not even tell where a home or camp used to be, signs were posted identifying municipal addressed.
I could fill pages with pictures, but soon they all begin to look the same, slabs, posts, debris, and demolished vehicles and boats. And flags, plenty of flags.
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