Family Displaced By Hurricane Katrina Received Rent-Free Home, Car, and Support in Minneapolis

[ad_1] by Jeroslyn JoVonn September 3, 2025

A household displaced by Hurricane Katrina remembers the Minneapolis group’s generosity throughout the harrowing ordeal.

A New Orleans household displaced by Hurricane Katrina 20 years in the past is reflecting on the generosity of Minneapolis locals who helped get them by way of the harrowing ordeal.

Stacey and Harold Bruno, together with their two kids, Tiara, 8, and Harold Jr., 6, on the time, recall fleeing New Orleans for Minneapolis after Hurricane Katrina devastated their metropolis. Initially hoping to journey out the storm, the household’s rising unease led them to pack a couple of suitcases and head north, with Stacey’s sister and her kids, in addition to her in-laws, who adopted in one other automobile.

“We didn’t know if we have been gonna be coming again, however we didn’t convey a lot in any respect,” Stacey informed Individuals, reflecting on the twentieth anniversary of the pure catastrophe.

Stacey’s in-laws have been dropped off in Mississippi with family, whereas Stacey and the remainder of the household drove over 20 hours to Minneapolis. Upon arrival, they turned on the TV and noticed the total scale of the devastation again in New Orleans.

“We discovered that the levees broke and our metropolis was flooded,” Stacey remembers. “We couldn’t get again.”

In Minneapolis, the area people rallied across the Brunos. Businessman Greg Lawrence and his spouse, Janet, provided the household a rent-free residence for a 12 months after listening to about their state of affairs.

“They’re charming individuals,” Stacey stated. “They pulled out all of the stops. They made positive that we had bedding, garments, and meals. They have been actually, actually hospitable to us.”

Different locals pitched in, donating the whole lot from a bunk mattress and a 27-inch TV to a automobile for Stacey and her household.

“We actually received the whole lot that we wanted,” Stacey shared.

The household briefly returned to New Orleans to salvage any property they might. Regardless of widespread looting and the marking of properties, the Brunos recovered heirlooms and mementos, together with household images, the youngsters’ report playing cards, and an vintage china cupboard that Stacy’s father had introduced from Korea.

Again in Minneapolis, they stayed till their kids completed the 2006 faculty 12 months earlier than returning to New Orleans, the place they lived in a small trailer park for months till securing an house and later everlasting housing. Since Katrina, Stacey and Harold, now 51, have welcomed two extra kids—Antonio, 16, and Autumn, 11—and a granddaughter, A’Myri, 1, by way of their now-adult son, Harold Jr.

Although the household misplaced contact with Greg and Janet Lawrence, they continue to be ceaselessly grateful for the couple’s generosity throughout that tough time.

“I haven’t talked to the Lawrences a lot since,” Stacey stated. “I at all times surprise how his household is doing, and I at all times wish to let him know, ‘Hey, my household’s doing tremendous.’ “