Risking your life in New Orleans because of guilt
By spalladino
@spalladino (17891)
United States
September 1, 2008 3:23pm CST
Last night I watched an interview with a man who chose not to evacuate New Orleans in advance of the storm. When asked why he chose to stay he told the reporter that he had decided to stay during Katrina because he felt that his brick home would be strong enough to protect him and his wife from the storm.
When the flooding came they suddenly found themselves in rapidly rising water so they did the only thing they could do and went into the attic. After a day and a half his wife died and he stayed in that attic for another day and a half before he was rescued. It was obvious that he still hurt over the loss of his wife of 18 years and that he blamed himself for her death because it was his decision that they stay. So, he said he was staying again because he would not leave her.
I feel so bad for this man and he in particular has been in my thoughts and prayers all day. I don't know if I could ever feel so guilty about a decision that I would risk my life because it was the wrong one. What about you? Do you think you would react the same way this man did if a choice you made ended up causing you so much pain?
2 people like this
5 responses
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
2 Sep 08
My heart breaks for that man. I understand what he is saying, her spirit is still there, he is not going to leave her. Thankfully the hurricane wasn't bad and everyone should be fine. I have been thinking of the New Orleans people alot lately, I am sure others have too. Thankfully Gustov was not another Katrina. Sometimes I don't understand why people live in dangerous places like New Orleans. Its below sea level, the ocean is right there. Hurricanes are not unusual. New Orleans is like a bowl, the water is all around them on the outside of the bowl. If the water comes over the top of the rim it has no way out, it just sits there.
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
2 Sep 08
Thanks Maxine is my hero too, I love her. I have family that lives in Florida too. My sister used to live in Key West, now she lives in Lakeland, she was fine down in the Keys, she moved north and inland and then a few years ago they got hit by 3 huricanes. They weathered the storms had some damage and flooding, but thats home.
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
2 Sep 08
Hi Polly. I love your avatar...Maxine is my hero!
I agree, I don't know why anyone would choose to live in New Orleans but it's home to many who believe the risks are worth it. I can understand a little bit since I live in south Florida and, every time a storm comes through/close, my family up north start in on me about moving back. But, we love it here so I'll tolerate a storm or two...or three. 
I agree, I don't know why anyone would choose to live in New Orleans but it's home to many who believe the risks are worth it. I can understand a little bit since I live in south Florida and, every time a storm comes through/close, my family up north start in on me about moving back. But, we love it here so I'll tolerate a storm or two...or three. 1 person likes this
@sunnflr (2767)
• United States
1 Sep 08
I would like to think that I wouldn't put myself in a dangerous situation out of guilt like this. I'm sure his wife would want him to be safe, and not putting himself in danger because of what happened to her. I know that's how I and my husband would each feel. I hope he is safe.
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
2 Sep 08
I think she would want him to be safe, too. He did the best that he could under circumstancse he couldn't have foreseen and it's such a shame he's still beating himself up over it.
@WhatsHerName (2716)
• United States
1 Sep 08
I saw that story and I think the man is being unreasonable. I'm sure his wife would want him to save himself and get out. I have been thinking about him and praying for him all day also. But I'm sure he will be fine.
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
1 Sep 08
I think so, too, but my husband can understand how he feels. My husband lost his first wife to cancer and, although there was nothing anyone could do to save her by the time she was diagnosed, he feels responsible that her illness went misdiagnosed for so long even though he had no way of knowing that the doctors were wrong.
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
3 Sep 08
Guilt is a hard thing to get past. Sometimes you can't. I'd say the guilt he feels over the decision he made is going to be with him for a long time. Putting himself in danger isn't going to change that but maybe it's his way of coping with the grief and the guilt. The best I can suggest is to continue to pray for him.
I know there's was a time when one of my decisions almost tore me apart. The grief and guilt kept at me until I finally found a way to deal with it. I still think about it alot but since I can't change the past I just try to look to the future.
**AT PEACE WITHIN**
~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~
