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The week prior to Hurricane Katrina, 
B-95's new antenna was hung on the new tower. After years of working on this project, B-95 would finally be broadcasting 100,000 watts.

Katrina took out the STL (station to tower link) at the radio station. We were completely "out of business."

A tree fell across three of our station vans. B-95's vans escaped harm. Rock 104's van was totaled. KZ 94's van has a small dent and tree sap.

When the roads were cleared, we drove to Vicksburg to find a cellular phone signal. We called out to our tower company to order a new tower. We were extremely fortunate in that they had just what we needed already built and, with a few modifications, ready to ship.

The tower crew was on site because they were still working on B-95's new tower so they moved to the studios and began preparations to build the new STL tower. B-95 was back on the air from the studios within two weeks.

Trees were down every where. Tremendous amounts of debris were piled by the roads. It was overwhelming. We didn't have electricity for 10 days so we could see what the cable TV stations were broadcasting. It was better that way.

Three days after Katrina, we found out that KZ94's tower, which also held the 911 communications antenna was on the ground. That explained the complete lack of communication. Cellular South was the first to restore cellular service. Work now began to rebuild this tower.

Allyson Scott and B95 Operation Manager, Stephen St. James were in the office when this tree fell.  We were lucky, no one was injured and the roof didn't even leak and

This site was more exciting than Christmas. A FEMA truck picking up the debris in front of your house was so incredibly thrilling, We called everyone we knew to tell them. Priorities were definitely redefined.

The FEMA bobcat destroyed the lawn but nobody cared, we just wanted the trees gone so it seemed more like normal.

Huge gaping holes were left everywhere by uprooted trees.

Pets were also traumatized by the hurricane. In this picture MoMo surveys the damage to his backyard.

A chain saw became a hot commodity. This van had to be cut out.

The new pine beam in the bedroom created that outdoor atmosphere.

A common site. A tree smashed the end of this house but the bricks held.

Staff thoughts.....

"I'm amazed by how much damage a Teddy Bear can repair..."
                                                                                       Buddy Baron

I became the desperate person that you see begging for ice and gas...who would have thought it!!! If Katrina didn't touch and change everyone in this country in even a small way, then we are worse off than I thought!!!                                                                                                                           Melissa Johnson

To say the least, Katrina is a nightmare I wouldn't wish on anyone. But, if there's anything good that came out of this, the spirit of neighbors helping neighbors was reignited.  I moved into my present neighborhood in February of this year. I didn't really get a chance to stop by someone's place and say hello -- until the storm had passed and the lights were out for days. It gave my wife and me a chance to do some old fashioned conversing with new-found friends on the porch -- and lend a hand to each other.                                                                                                        Doug Morris

It was bad but it wasn't all bad. Some good things came from Hurricane Katrina. We got to know our neighbors. I found out that you can sleep in your shorts and T-shirt and get up and wear it the next day and nobody really cares. We have new paint, new carpet, a new roof and all the closets are cleaned out at home. But mostly our values have been realigned. We truly know what it is important in life. Hurricane Katrina amplified the true character of each person. It was a very enlightening experience.                                                                                                        Debbie Blakeney

Life before Katrina didn't suck nearly as bad as I thought it did.
                                                                                      Larry Blakeney
(Larry has now built 4 radio towers in the past year. Two for upgrades and two replacing Katrina damage.)