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Pain of Hurricane Victims Felt at Howard U.

Photo credit: NOAA A vessel pushed on shore in south Plaquemines Parish, La., on Aug. 29 demonstrates Katrina's power.

By Charreah Jackson
Black College Wire

Though far from the Gulf Coast, the Howard University community is feeling the painful effect of Hurricane Katrina, which tore through New Orleans and Mississippi on Aug. 29.

The storm system managed to wreak havoc on many states along the southern border, causing deaths in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

Leaving New Orleans virtually under water, Katrina moved on to southeast Mississippi and was reduced to a Category 1 hurricane by evening. Though the storm's winds died down, officials now fear that spinoff tornadoes may form.

"I am very concerned with what's going on down there," Tracey Albert, a senior sociology major, said. "I found out early today because my brother goes to Xavier and had to evacuate."

Among those touched on Howard's campus were Andre Rosario, freshman biology/pre-med major at Xavier University in New Orleans. Rosario nervously awaited the fate of his university while home with his uncle, a Howard professor.

"My parents realized how serious it was and got me out on time," Rosario said, passionately recounting his journey. He was awakened by resident assistants on the morning of Aug. 27 and students were told to try to make plans to leave. Informed of his 4:50 p.m. flight at 3:30, Rosario wondered how he made it out on time. It was one of the last flights leaving New Orleans Saturday. "I feel really bad for people who couldn't make it, and for the city of New Orleans and for my school. I was only there for two weeks, but I really feel connected," he said.

Students unable to evacuate stayed in elevated parts of the campus, on the top levels of buildings, with emergency food and administrators nearby. Others headed to the Louisiana Superdome for cover. The storm ripped two holes into the structure's roof, but those inside remained safe.

Power was shut down for Xavier and for all of New Orleans, and communications failed. "Campus Web sites and hotlines are still down at Xavier," Rosario said on Aug. 29.

The lack of electricity created some anxiety on Howard's campus. Many students with loved ones were unable to contact family members who might have been affected.

According to the Associated Press, it could take two months before power is completely restored to all affected by Katrina.

More than 750,000 people, from the Florida Panhandle to Louisiana, were said to be without power. New Orleans hospitals were relying on generators to treat patients and those injured. The federal government sent emergency supplies, along with doctors and Pentagon personnel to aid search-and-rescue missions sent for those who were unable to evacuate and might still be trapped.

Howard students sympathized with those who were suffering. "If something like that happened at Howard, I would be in the same position I am in now, homeless and confused since I don't have housing," said Albert, the sociology major. "I would just have others to join in (and feel) my pain."

Charreah Jackson is a student at Howard University who is managing editor of the Hilltop.

Posted Aug. 30, 2005