Posted on 08/16/2009 7:20:29 PM PDT by Islander7
“Hurricane Watch Posted” warned the front page of The Daily Herald on Aug. 16, 1969. In a classic twist of irony, the Mississippi Coast newspaper advertised Pass Christian’s Moonlite Drive-In would, in a few days, show the film classic “Gone with the Wind.”
That was Saturday. Hurricane Camille struck Sunday night — 40 years ago Monday — with a vengeance few could fathom. For two decades the Storm King had tossed only mild zingers.
When Monday’s early-morning light revealed the Camille carnage, the Moonlite was literally gone with the wind. The 225-plus-mph winds pushed a 24-foot storm surge topped by 10-foot wave action.
(Excerpt) Read more at sunherald.com ...
I got one of two flights into Gulfport after Elena and from the air the place was a mess. The airport was without power, all the light poles were down, and small aircraft were flipped on their wings. At least it wasn’t under water.
49350, Tech Control. I finished my training and was AFI for several months waiting for my clearance. I was an associate instructor in sets during that time. I got to spend a lot of time in the day room watching the Ollie North Iran-Contra hearings live. Let’s just say I had my skates on for a while...
I hear you. I went to sets at Hanger 3 and was part of the 3396th. Glad to know ya.
Two days after landfall, it devastated Nelson County, Virginia (famous for being the homeplace of Earl Hamner - “The Waltons”).
http://www.readthehook.com/Stories/2006/09/21/coverAmalg.doc.aspx
I went thru 5 blocks of Basic Electronics on nights. I really enjoyed marching over to one of the cafeterias for breakfast after midnight. Of course we had our Keesler Candles to guide us. Did they “Whoop” the “Pingers” when you were there?
Of Course. I was a part of the old club scene and actually painted alot of those dorms as well. The place was busy no doubt. Allee hall was the venue for the electronics. We had two-weeks without power and water. The CB’s from the Naval Station brought in a bunch of buffaloes for us.
Those stupid flashlights cost me a weekend. Mine didn’t work because I used it as a spitoon during class. They caught me with my inop light during drill and I blamed it on defective gov’t equipment. It didn’t fly.
I just went to my 40th High School reunion!
Even though I was 150 miles inland when Camille hit, it was very a strong storm. I went to the lake house to check on the boats. There were seagulls everywhere! The wind was so strong it almost knocked me off of the dock into the lake.
I don’t know why my mother was so silly as to let me drive out there. She must have been out of her mind! lol
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