ALBANY, GA (WALB) -
Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast seven years ago to the day, and some people who evacuated to south Georgia are still here.
Thousands of people never returned to New Orleans after the devastating storm.
Now, they watch as another storm hits their home town. Exactly 7 years later, another Hurricane is pummeling New Orleans. Two ladies who evacuated the Big Easy during Katrina and then moved to Albany, say Isaac is bringing back a flood of memories.
Barbara Knox said this date, August 29th and now Hurricane Isaac pounding New Orleans, remind her of 7 years ago and her home in the Chantilly Area.
Knox said "It making my mind go back. Go back to the day that we left."
Crystal Morrison lived in New Orleans' mid city 7 years ago, and Hurricane Isaac brings back tough memories for her as well.
Morrison said "It did. I probably wouldn't have been so emotional if it had been another day. But today is a hard day."
7 years ago Knox evacuated with her kids, but her husband Percy tried to ride out Katrina in their home, but was flooded out.
Knox said "The boat came got him and brought him to the Super dome. And that's where he stayed for a whole week. I didn't know where he was. We were praying. Trying to find out where he was."
It took weeks before the Knox family was reunited, and moved to Albany with nothing.
Katrina trapped Morris on on the North Shore until September 11th. Both women say they could not sleep last night, and stayed up watching Isaac hit the Gulf Coast.
Knox said "Watching it all night. I'm getting up all night watching. Praying for the city and all, because I love New Orleans."
Power and telephones are out in New Orleans, so Morris on is using social media to keep in touch with family and friends.
Morrison said "This is the Isaac chat page we started up. That it's just everybody who lives there. Used to live there. Has people there."
Both Knox and Morrison say they are glad Albany is their home now, but they are keeping a close watch on their hometown on this emotional anniversary. And both say they know New Orleans will come back even stronger after this storm, because it is such a special city to the people who live there.
Both women say they're in touch today with other New Orleans natives who live in South Georgia now, on an anniversary only they can understand.
Morrison said she is keeping in touch with friends and family riding out Isaac and may open her home to some if they need shelter after the Hurricane.
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