Hurricane Katrina, Cinnamon Moore

From MemoryArchive

Who: Cinnamon
What: Hurricane
When: 2 years ago
Where: Atlanta

HURRICANE KATRINA EVENTS

Tuesday morning, the hotel announced that there was some water rising on Canal, and that we would have to wear bracelets identifying us as guests. They had reports of looting and gunfire, so all but one door were locked. They also announced that they would only be serving one meal each day, and that the backup generator would probably last only another hour or two. They strongly encouraged anyone with a car to leave the hotel, as there was word that roads to the west were open. I asked if they might try to arrange carpools, and they said no.I packed my bags and went down to the lobby to see if I could get a ride anywhere, with anyone. There were a lot of people leaving who did not want to take any passengers. I spoke to a woman who said that a man had accepted her offer of $1,000 to take her and friends out of N.O. She said that while the valet was getting the car, a manager of the hotel approached the driver and advised him not to take strangers! They eventually found a stray cab. I waited until the lobby was nearly empty, and cried for the first time.