I met some folks that fled Katrina. For reference I am in Central AR.
One couple in particular I want to relate. 30-ish with a 3 and 5 year old.
These are good people, like us into personal responsibility, firearms, Freedoms and against Tyranny. They had moved down to the region hit - temporarily for the job - now permanently loss of everything they owned.
They were prepared with BoBs, they left early. Interesting in the way I met them, I was contacted because they needed to print something off one of their Flashdrives. They had also a simple Laptop PC with Win 2000. They had griped about paying for dial up ISP while they had DSL. Too many times while traveling in the past- the dial up ISP had proven itself no matter where they had stayed. It was doing so again.
Flashdrives - these portable storage devices , this couple had any and everything on these. From personal information, contacts, medical information, banking, finances, pictures of the home, family photos, each room, all valuables...All they have left is on PNY flashdrives.
They needed something printed, I met them at my College, inserted the FD, printed what needed printed, mutual friend is a notary. He notorized it. Say what you want - this is a survival situation. It was the right thing to do.
They have hard copies of Birth Certificates and such at relatives/ close friends. Basically these folks had notorized copies sent to each other - in the event something as this happened. Tornados, Wildfires, Flooding and other disasters amongst kin and friends were / are considerations to plan for.
They had cash in small bills, they had old grocery type safe cemented into the structure where they fled. Of interest - one of the kinfolks never closed out a Lockbox here in AR. It is for the family in case of emergency - when thru here they make a deposit if you will. This couple is taking what needed - will payback later. Of interest the family really does not like having money in lockbox - just another tool in the toolbox. I understand there are other lockboxes set up like this and access for all members has been made.
Couple had their CCWs, she uses a Glock 26, he a Colt Commander. He also had for BoB guns two older police trade-in revolvers - Kframes. One bone stock 870 with a 18.5" bbl. This is all they have left of any and all guns.
I met the wife, this couple is doing surprisingly well. I met the kids - they are scared. Mom and dad are doing a great job - still kids can tell when something is not right.
I was starving before they showed up, evening class was long and my brain was dead. I forgot all about me. Gratitude - there is always someone worse off than me.
We all got something to eat at Burger King, the kids needed to be kids, some kind of nomalacy. We then hit the box store, I/we/all put feeling aside about this place and politics. One must do what one must do.
Scooby movie, Tinker toys and Lincoln logs...I cannot type the eyes and kids expressions. Seems a Scooby tippy cup had been lost en-route, we got a couple of more. I dared anyone to question why I washed out one cup, opened a carton of fruit juice and let the kid have the Scooby tippy cup before checkout - nobody did, matter of principle - that kid needed to be a kid. Kids eyes had gone from dim to bright and shiny, punch moustaches accented smiles, and who cares if the shelves get sticky stuff from little hands.
I have never owned a Glock 26, I have used them to teach students. I ended up with a Mag for one - somehow. I had brought it alone - my gut just said to, best I can explain it. I gave the wife the extra mag and two boxes of Blaser 9mm, she was humble and grateful. She only had one spare mag and a box of 50 ammo for her CCW. Gave them a box of Blaser 45ACP and a box of WWB .38 spl. Seems the Husband had extra mags for his 1911 and flat refused to accept our mutual friends offer of more.
He did accept an AR license plate mutual friend had. Listen up. Folks are looking for and breaking into vehicles with out of town tags from areas folks fled. This plate with magnets is in the event they need to park somewhere and even if backing into a place....well lessen the advertising they are from an area and valuable are in the vehicle.
They have arrived to their destination I have been informed. They are not going to return. Just start over where from originally and work where they used to. Only reason to go back later -is to settle up with insurance on what lost - everything is gone.
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They shared some other interesting tidbits with like minded folks. Folks did not want high-tech, wanted reliable and easy to maintain firearms. Used Police Trade ins , 870 pumps, Marlin 60s - not dependent on mags, ammo easy to get in popular calibers. Semis - BHPS, 1911s and Keltec P-11 . Seems the P-11 was popular for price, concealibility, inexpensive ammo, easy to take apart and maintain...and who cares if it got wet, scratched or whatever.
Folks left in groups to watch out for one another. Come-a-longs and someone having a chainsaw in the group. Rope, and other stuff to clear roads. Topo maps and hand held compasses were packed. First aid kits, and folks had various levels of first aid training.
Cheap Dollar store Walkman type players / or better ones- with batteries and something kids will listen to packed in BoB is smart.
These and coloring books and crayons, and itty bitty Etch-A-Sketches, and similar quiet and not battery dependent things - packed and the kids did not know about ...well the kids had BoBs...adults had a backup just in case.
Folks had Mapquest routes printed out, they also had alternate backroads figured in. Flashdrives had information as well. One couple used the Laptop to find out road conditions and contact relatives as to route being taken.
Hard copies of maps of alternate routes too.
I am probably forgetting something important. If I think of it I'll add it later.
Like I told Preacheman, I was exhausted and worn out after class. I was emotionall drained after parting with the family. Handshake said more than words could have from the husband. Wifes hug the same. Kids...well I think the 3 y/o was more interested in that tippy cup and the tinker toy box, finally I got my hug, just wanted to hold on. The Five year old, had to have two hugs, kept hugging that Scooby movie. Allergies kicked in about halfway home, about the time I needed to hit the freeway - had to stop and get the water out of my eyes.
