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As
coastal
Louisiana
residents, our human weather radars seem to be a
little more "in tune" during hurricane season.
Recently, as Acadiana watched New Orleans
residents evacuate in fear of
Hurricane
Ivan's
projected path, many of us felt twinges of
unsettled feelings. For those raised along the
coast, we all are too familiar with the sights
and sounds of
evacuation
protocol.
Technology is the crucial link which now
leads many to safety as these
dangerous storms
engulf our territory. Through warnings of
television, radio, computers and
technology
equipment,
we now have the "choice" of evacuation as
warnings are issued.
As an educator, I stress to my children each
year how fortunate we are to live with such
wonderful tools at our finger tips. Though no
one can control a hurricane, we are able to
control whether we want to remain for a
hurricane or not. When you look at the
devastation of
Galveston's
Hurricane of 1900
which
literally preyed, pounced and devoured a city,
the realization of technology's power in saving
lives is all too evident. Without technology
and proper warnings readily available, this
mighty storm engulfed a entire area leaving
6,000 dead and a lively city literally and
physically flat. This is one indication of
technology's powerful role
in hurricane tracking
this past century.
Through the years, as with all coastal
communities along the Gulf of Mexico, Erath has
experienced the devastation of nature's
destructive force
as
relentless
hurricanes
found their way onto our land, as well as into
our homes.
October 3rd is now a historical town date
etched in the minds of many Erath residents.
Hurricane Hilda struck the coast of Louisiana on
October 3, 1964. In the wake of her path, she
left eight Erath men dead and a town mourning.
Ironically
in 2002, yet another Hurricane found it's way in
Erath's path as
Hurricane Lili
made landfall in
the Vermilion Bay on October 3rd. This time
however, the town faced only fear and damages
however, not death.
Sunday, October 3, 2004 will mark the
40th Anniversary
of the Hurricane Hilda's destructive path
through our small community. Please join
Dozier Elementary in remembering our eight
Erath native sons who died in 1964, as well as
victims of all hurricanes in the past.
For more information on the Devastation of
Hurricane Hilda's path through Erath,
click here!
 
Story by
Dozier's
"Eye on Tech" Editor
Stacy Bodin |
