FM Talk 106.5's Sean Sullivan is one of those who "ride out" the storms during hurricane season. But he isn't staying behind for the thrill or bragging rights. Sullivan takes every opportunity to keep his community informed, even when that means staying behind while everyone else is getting out.
On Aug. 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall. While Sullivan remembers how the storm impacted lower Alabama, he could not hit the airwaves that day as planned. It wasn't because flooding impeded his travel or winds knocked down a tower.
"My daughter was born during the hurricane," Sullivan said.
Meanwhile, Hurricane Katrina, which at one point covered the majority of the Gulf of Mexico as a Category 5 storm, pounded down on Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and parts of Florida.
Once he returned to radio, Sullivan said the stories poured in, and he learned the damage was catastrophic, especially in New Orleans.
"Louisiana got a lot of attention but one of the stories that was also a big deal was on the Mississippi Gulf Coast," Sullivan remembered. "If you look at the impact and way the storm surge came into Mississippi, it was a big deal."
Sullivan remembers the hurricane making landfall as a Category 3 storm with a double eyewall. The landfall was recorded in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, and Pearl River, between Louisiana and Mississippi.
People from both states flocked to Alabama for safety. Some never returned and now call Alabama home.
Mobile County saw significant damage. Dauphin Island was split in two. Baldwin County had moderate damage.
"I mean, they had a huge storm surge there in South Mobile County, obviously Dauphin Island," Sullivan said. "But Pascagoula really took it pretty badly, too, because that was close to the line with that secondary eyewall.
People in Mobile had always referred to Hurricane Frederic in 1979 as a sort of benchmark storm. However, after Katrina, Sullivan said there was a new gauge.
"It was significant and it took a long while to recover around here from Katrina," he said. "I think Katrina is most memorable in Mobile County now, even more than Frederic."
An estimated 1,392 people lost their lives to Hurricane Katrina. The storm had wind speeds of up to 174 mph and caused levees to break, putting 80% of New Orleans underwater.
Some of the stories from Hurricane Katrina bring hope to those who hear them. Ordinary people became heroes, neighbors went above and beyond for each other, and the Sullivan family grew by one that day.
"While so much life was lost and so many bad things were happening, a good thing happened, you know," said Sullivan. "Life happened."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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