Under Surge, Under Siege : The Odyssey of Bay St. Louis and Katrina

Winner of the 2010 Eudora Welty Book Prize and the Mississippi Library Association's Nonfiction Author's Award for 2011, Under Surge, Under Siege was also short-listed as Nonfiction finalist for the 2012 William Saroyan International Book Prize, Stanford University Libraries. Under Surge, Under Siege shows how Hurricane Katrina tore into Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, raking away lives, buildings, and livelihoods in a place known for its picturesque, coastal views; its laid-back, artsy downtown; and its deep-dyed southern cordiality. The tragedy also revealed the inner workings of a community with an indomitable heart and profound neighborly bonds. Those connections often brought out the best in people under the worst of circumstances. In Under Surge, Under Siege , Ellis Anderson, who rode out the storm in her Bay St. Louis home and sheltered many neighbors afterwards, offers stories of generosity, heroism, and laughter in the midst of terror and desperate uncertainty. Divided into two parts, this book invites readers into the intimate enclave before, during, and after the storm. "Under Surge" focuses on connections between residents, and then it demonstrates how those bonds sustained them through the worst hurricane in U.S. history. "Under Siege" documents the first three years of the grinding aftermath, detailing the unforeseen burdens of stress and depression, insurance scandals, and opportunists that threatened to complete the annihilation of the plucky town. A blend of memoir, personal diary, and firsthand reportage, Under Surge, Under Siege creates a compelling American testament to the strength of the human spirit. Contents......Page 8 Prologue......Page 10 BOOK ONE: UNDER SURGE......Page 12 The Language of Loss......Page 14 The Ties That Bind......Page 17 The Dethroning of Camille......Page 22 The Dominos of Denial......Page 26 The Fourth Step......Page 32 The Passing of the Eye......Page 38 Lionel’s Boat......Page 41 The Edge of the Abyss......Page 45 The Good Life......Page 49 Solid as a Rock......Page 60 Room Number Five......Page 69 On Our Own......Page 80 Wind in the Willow......Page 97 The Long Road Home......Page 109 The Shape of Despair......Page 125 Trail of Tears......Page 145 BOOK TWO: UNDER SIEGE......Page 164 Seeking the Remains......Page 166 Five Pounds of Potatoes......Page 182 This Property Is Condemned......Page 187 Take It All......Page 205 Grapes or Giants......Page 216 Three Storms......Page 235 Bay Polar......Page 245 Something Wonderful Is Always Happening . . .......Page 258 Acknowledgments......Page 274 Resources......Page 278 Contents 8 Prologue 10 BOOK ONE: UNDER SURGE 12 PART ONE: Storm Journal 14 The Language of Loss 14 The Ties That Bind 17 The Dethroning of Camille 22 The Dominos of Denial 26 The Fourth Step 32 The Passing of the Eye 38 Lionel’s Boat 41 The Edge of the Abyss 45 The Good Life 49 PART TWO: The Story of Bay Town Inn 60 Solid as a Rock 60 Room Number Five 69 PART THREE: Storm Journal 80 On Our Own 80 PART FOUR: Robyn’s Story 97 Wind in the Willow 97 The Long Road Home 109 PART FIVE: Storm Journal 125 The Shape of Despair 125 Trail of Tears 145 BOOK TWO: UNDER SIEGE 164 PART SIX: Storm Journal 166 Seeking the Remains 166 Five Pounds of Potatoes 182 This Property Is Condemned 187 PART SEVEN: Revelations 205 Take It All 205 Grapes or Giants 216 Three Storms 235 Bay Polar 245 PART EIGHT: Storm Journal 258 Something Wonderful Is Always Happening . . . 258 Acknowledgments 274 Resources 278 9781604735024,9781604735031 University Press of Mississippi "Hurricane Katrina tore into Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, raking away lives, buildings, and livelihoods in a place known for its picturesque, coastal views; its laid-back, artsy downtown; and its deep-dyed southern cordiality. The tragedy also revealed the inner workings of a community with an indomitable heart and profound neighborly bonds. Those connections often brought out the best in people under the worst of circumstances. In Under Surge, Under Siege, Ellis Anderson, who rode out the storm in her Bay St. Louis home and sheltered many neighbors afterwards, offers stories of generosity, heroism, and laughter in the midst of terror and desperate uncertainty"--Page 2 of cover "Hurricane Katrina tore into Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, raking away lives, buildings, and livelihoods in a place known for its picturesque, coastal views; its laid-back, artsy downtown; and its deep-dyed southern cordiality. The tragedy also revealed the inner workings of a community with an indomitable heart and profound neighborly bonds. Those connections often brought out the best in people under the worst of circumstances. In Under Surge, Under Siege, Ellis Anderson, who rode out the storm in her Bay St. Louis home and sheltered many neighbors afterwards, offers stories of generosity, heroism, and laughter in the midst of terror and desperate uncertainty"--Cover page 2 "Hurricane Katrina tore into Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, raking away lives, buildings, and livelihoods in a place known for its picturesque, coastal views; its laid-back, artsy downtown; and its deep-dyed southern cordiality. The tragedy also revealed the inner workings of a community with an indomitable heart and profound neighborly bonds. Those connections often brought out the best in people under the worst of circumstances. In Under Surge, Under Siege, Ellis Anderson, who rode out the storm in her Bay St. Louis home and sheltered many neighbors afterwards, offers stories of generosity, heroism, and laughter in the midst of terror and desperate uncertainty" --Cover, p. 2