After Katrina, former Arkansans realize who is in control

El DORADO — Like so many from the New Orleans area, Anthony and Annette Centanni are still slowly rebuilding their lives after a harrowing escape from Hurricane Katrina last year. What they never could’ve anticipated was the profound effect the storm would still have on them one year later.
The retired couple from Metairie, La., and formerly of El Dorado, recognize the blessings that surround them. After all, no one in their family was harmed or killed by Katrina, but they are acutely aware that, for better and for worse, Katrina has permanently altered their outlook on life.
The couple moved back to Louisiana in March 2005 after 13 years in Arkansas, but when the hurricane hit they rented an apartment in El Dorado for a month. Former members of Holy Redeemer Church in El Dorado, they have stayed in contact with former pastor Father Pius Iwuchukwu and parishioners.
Annette Centanni described her life in the one-year aftermath of the storm as anything but routine.
“It’s like having post-traumatic stress syndrome. We’re edgy, we’re jumpy,” she said. “Our concentration has gone down. I have so many friends and neighbors who say, ’Gee I’m so glad you said that,’ because they feel the same way and were wondering if they were just going crazy.”
She said the inability to focus has driven a wedge between her and the hobbies she once loved, but she strives to find other things to maintain perspective.
“I’ve done very little novel reading, but I read the newspaper and have my crossword puzzle. That keeps me sane, but to keep my mind focused on a plot, I just can’t do it,” she explained. “My neighbors say the same thing — that they have very little patience enjoying the hobbies we used to enjoy. I’ve just gotten back to quilting and I’ve gotten back to walking. That’s been a salvation … but people are not the same, we’re totally changed.”
The Centannis returned to their Metairie home in January after living in their son’s house in Kenner, La., following the storm. (Their son’s company relocated him to Houston where he has been since Katrina. His home has since been sold to a couple who lost everything in the storm.)
The bottom level of the Centanni’s home had to be completely gutted and all the furniture thrown away when six inches of water finally began to recede in the weeks after the flooding. It was especially difficult since they had spent so much time and money before the storm remodeling their home and buying furniture.
Annette Centanni said carpeting finally came in February and the last bit of replacement furniture arrived in July.
Anthony Centanni, who once served as director of music for Holy Redeemer Parish in El Dorado, was particularly distraught that his beloved organ was destroyed in his New Orleans church. It was replaced with a new one in March.
“There was a FEMA man who came and when he found out Anthony played the organ he said, ’Me and you are soul brothers,” said Annette Centanni. “I think he was an angel … He got the entire amount for the organ back and they delivered it on Ash Wednesday this year.”
For months the Centannis lived in the upstairs portion of their house but still maintained semi-primitive conditions because they had no kitchen and very little in the way of available services. They meticulously worked with various contractors and painters to get their home in order, even performing much of the work on their own. Anthony Centanni dropped down to an alarming 146 pounds in the process.
“The biggest thing was the delays, waiting for the countertops, the tile, the plumber,” Annette Centanni said. “Everybody was waiting for the same services … over 6,000 homes were flooded right in our area (Jefferson Parish). There were shortages, there was no Wal-Mart, it was only open four hours a day. … There was only canned goods and no fresh produce, no McDonald’s, no Wendy’s, no place to get fast food, you had to eat what you could find on the shelves of the grocery store and, of course, we had no kitchen to cook it in.”
Recognizing the huge gamble they have taken by staying in the area, they have determined not to start over should another powerful hurricane slam ashore.
“Everybody you meet says they rebuilt once, but they won’t do it again,” said Annette Centanni. “If this section floods again, we’re not going to rebuild again. We still wonder if we should sell our house now while it’s still good or sit around and wait.”
The Centannis find comfort in the things that don’t change, such as Mass, which also re-energizes their faith.
“One thing my daughter said that was very enlightening. She said she finally realized we’re not in charge, we’re dependent on a higher power,” said Annette Centani. “We’re absolutely not in charge. It’s a sobering realization to realize how much power we don’t have.”