I have spent the last week and a half covering the Gustav evacuees. During that time I have gotten to know many of them by name and hear their stories. Some of their experiences are heartbreaking and inspiring.
I know there were some arrests at the Expo Center and toward the end, stress was beginning to get the best of some of the evacuees. But I have to say, it was a room filled with a good number of resilient, positive, and kind people.Families that lost everything to Katrina but still had the strength and sense of purpose to push forward and move on with their lives. Meeting many of the evacuees was a touching experience for me. It is a reminder how easily we can all be shaken from our daily lives, removed from the comforts of our home, and displaced while the threat of losing all we have worked for looms. It was a humbling experience.
I would also like to say our local Red Cross is amazing. The work they did during this time was nothing short of a miracle. It was organized, helpful to the families in every possible way, and from a reporter's standpoint, amazing to watch. It made me feel proud to live in Louisville, as I watched local organizations, businesses, and places like Kentucky Kingdom and Slugger Field join together to keep families busy and a smile on kids' faces.
Now the evacuees are returning. And I personally wish them the best as they clean up after yet another hurricane. What a week it has been for them!

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