The Storm

Chapter Four

North On Highway 19

W eaving my way through the streets of New Orleans, I finally made my way to Highway 19. The Major had given good directions, as expected, and I was now on the hunt for my storm story. The highway was clear and drivable, and only a few cars and emergency vehicles passed by me in the oncoming lane heading back to the city. I had the feeling of being very alone and isolated, even though I had traveled only a few miles out of town. At least the radio worked, and I picked up a unique Cajun radio broadcast. The music was exciting, and the brogue was hard to understand, but entertaining enough to keep me occupied. Evidence of the storm were everywhere. Arriving at Baker, I asked a local merchant where the most hard-hit area of the region was. I was directed to go through Zachary and head Northwest, that about any area up there had been hit hard with inland water from the river overflow and pouring rain. I said, "Thank you” and topped off the gas tank. Then I headed farther north-east. I arrived at Zachary and asked a store clerk where the hardest hit area was. I was informed, that heading east out of Zachary I would hit the 84 over to Indian Mound, and then up the 409 to Pride, located in the east Feliciana Parish. The store owner said that the area was the north end of the flooding, and from there I could head south where there were small towns that were not even on the

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