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STORM AFTERMATH IS DIFFICULT
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to return and rebuild is almost impossible. Even liberal provisions of Small Business Administration disaster loans are not much help.
MANY ‘IN HOCK’
Too many property owners and business operators are still in hock from damages of hurricane Betsy. Most accounts receivable will probably be uncollectable. Inventories, equipment and buildings are destroyed. Pass Christian was noted as a retirement community, and it is difficult for older people to face $15,000 or $20,000 of debt to restore residences where existing long-term financing balance due often exceeds current market value (post hurricane) of the residence. Total destruction of furniture, clothing, appliances, every personal belonging, puts the re-financing chore beyond the abilities of most residents.
Third, gainful employment will be a problem. Those who do not enjoy retirement pensions or some other outside in-
weighing station on the east side of the highway was a total wreck. Just across the highway the weighing station on the west side was in operation, apparently untouched.
Whole growth of pine looked like an area that had been under heavy shelling, trees broken off at the ground, 10 feet up, 20 feet up. One farm implement dealer’s establishment is level with the ground, and only tractors stored on the parking lot stand intact. Many homes and businesses are scattered all over the ground, every building showing damage. House trailers, are smashed, overturned, demolished. Rural churches look like abandoned monuments to the usual graveyards next door.
The trip becames a nightmare driving from Kiln to De-Lisle. Trees have been cut or dragged from the road to afford narrow one vehicle traffic in may places, and the destruction is frightful.
At DeLisle, families are liv-
come will be hard pressed tojing huddled together in dam-make a daily living, except aged buildings that still stand—
those with manual skills who will find employment during the massive clean-up financed by state or federal funds. Just a short list from memory and observation of businesses which formerly supplied employment follows (employment estimated):
Pass Christian Industries garment factory (411), Annie’s Restaurant (12), Bennie French’s Tavern (8), Escape Lounge (6), Young’s Souvenirs (2), KoVace’s Print Shop (2), Barrett’s Marina (5), Isles Enco Station (6), Owl newspaper (8), Gulf shore Baptist Assembly (35), Pass Christian Isles Golf Club (15), Timber Ridge (30) Sutter Well Works (10), Standard Grocery (3), Richelieu Apartments (4), Ringer’s Grocery (10), Western Auto (3), Lafrenier Upholstery (3), Lafaye Pest Control (2), Keel Lumber (6), Gulf National Bank (4), Post Office (12), Hemleco (30), Plantation Cafe (3), McDonald’s Cleaners (6), Barksdale’s Texaco 4), I. C. Ellis Real Estate (5), Chamber of Commerce (1), Little General (5), V&M Grocery (12), Paul’s Bakery (3), ^acht Club (5), Humdinger
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emergency food and clothing at the school their only source of supply. Farm houses on the road with wells back in operation have posted “free water” signs at the front gate to help could not evacuate. Rafferty’s their neighbors.	'ante-bellum	beach home has
Deputies and county patrol-disappeared and his wife and men are stationed at principal tribe of kids are in a refugee
intersections helping direct tra'-fic as additional roads are opened, and trying to fend un-
camp upstate. Tom Anthony, who recently resigned as utility superintendent, is working away
necessary sightseers from the | with the crew, area. Gasoline is almost impos-j Alderman Clay Rick’s house sible to obtain for necessary i between Scenic Dr. and U.S. 90 and emergency vehicles.	I has disappeared completely, but
MORE	| he was on his feet Saturday at
Some idea of the lack of communications between communities six to eight miles apart is gained from the pathetic crowding around of storm victims on the site with questions about the safety and welfare of friends and relatives in nearby communities. In their own misery, these people are still urgently concerned about neighboring communities.
TRIP TORTUROUS The trip from DeLisle to Pass Christian is torturous because of washed out bridges and roads. You travel south of Adams Rd. across Wolf River at Adams bridge (just repaired
the firehouse, helping the work. Mayor J. J- Wittmann has been everywhere, driving himself to help meet his town’s emergency.
The sharing by friends and neighbors and total strangers is heartwarming.. Food, milk, water, clothes are voluntarily passed from hand to hand as the need becomes apparent.
The bad side of human nature is the looting, now under much better control, with a large number of troops stationed throughout the area. But, families have returned to the wreckage of their homes during