Survivor Spirit At Age 80
Release Date: April 11, 2006
Release Number: 1604-312
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BILOXI, Miss. -- Sadie Michelini, a resident of Ocean Springs, Miss. got out of bed the morning of August 29, to find water up to her ankles. Thirty minutes later, she had six feet of water throughout her house. Sadie’s daughter and grandson safely helped her up into her storage attic above the garage. After positioning themselves at the top of the ladder to the attic, they held on to the floating mattress where Art, Sadie’s bedridden husband, lay helpless. As their anxiety increased and they struggled to think of next steps, the water began to recede.
Sadie, a very young 80-year-old, lives alone in the Ocean Springs area. The love of her life - husband Art - usually lives in a hospice facility, while daughter Maria and grandson are nearby.
When forecasters pegged Katrina to hit on the 29th, the hospice transported Art back home for the duration of the storm. Maria took time off work to stay with her folks and sandbagged all around the house on Sunday night.
The family was numbed by what they saw in the aftermath. Their house is not in a floodplain and is about 25 feet above sea level, but the damage to their home was extensive. In addition to the damages to their home, they lost their cars.
In the days that followed, Sadie credits the local volunteer fire department with taking care of her husband’s medical needs. They visited daily, without being asked. The Two Sisters Café around the corner provided free hot food and Sadie’s grandson, Jordan, made several daily trips on foot to get food and supplies as needed.
Maria helped her mom sign up for FEMA and volunteer assistance a few weeks after Katrina hit. Initially, Sadie stayed with neighbors and friends but moved aboard the Cruise Ship Holiday on September 27. Her experience was mostly a positive one, and she felt the “excellent” FEMA staff looked out for her during her time onboard. Sadie applied for a FEMA trailer September 12 and it was delivered December 30. It sits in the front yard and for now, it’s home.
Nine different volunteer teams, all from Minnesota started rebuilding her home the day before Thanksgiving. The teams varied in size from 2 to 40 members. They have ripped out drywall; removed all mud and silt; ripped up the tile floor and installed a new one; rewired the electrical and reinstalled the plumbing systems; installed new insulation and Sheetrock; painted the walls; installed new bathrooms; hooked up new appliances and delivered furniture. Sadie purchased all the supplies and goods, but the volunteer labor was, thankfully, free.
Soon, the volunteers, who have vowed not to leave until the task is completed, will finish and head home. In the meantime, Sadie has made the trailer her own. The shower stall is filled with her beautiful orchids.
Sadie Michelini is awed and humbled by the generosity and kindness shown to her and her family. Daughter Maria is so grateful she has made a commitment to repay her community with volunteer work in the future. Art was moved back to the hospice two weeks after Katrina. Sadie visits him nearly every day.
http://www.photolibrary.fema.gov/photolibrary/photo_details.do?id=23301
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 11-Apr-2006 13:53:58