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3 miles out of Bayou La Batre

We had a second crew go there this morning to divide up the workload. They report a lot of flooding in homes due to 18-20 foot storm surge. FEMA trailers sit in almost every driveway near the Gulf. The fishing and shrimping industries, already in dire straits pre-Katrina, are now really hurting. Fishermen say these days their nets catch more of people's homes than they do fish or shrimp.

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Foley's mayor: "We've eaten MREs"

Timothy Russell is the mayor of Foley. Been the mayor for 9 years. He says the city's still caring for about 400 evacuees. Echoes residents who say they help because of what they suffered with Ivan. "We've eaten MREs," he quips.

The local electric utility sent workers into Katrina's aftermath to help get the lights on. Foley lost 100 percent of its power in Ivan so they know what turning on the lights can mean. Foley also sent volunteers to feed victims. "We helped after Katrina," the mayor told me. "We're still helping now."

Starting the drive for Bayou La Batre, Ala. We're thinking it's about 50 miles or so. It's going to be tight, time-wise, getting everything done for Nightly.

Track our progress via GPS here.

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Update: What price gouging?

So as we fill up the "9" is coming down at Dodge's.... it's now $2.37/gallon. $25.70 for nearly 11 gallons in our Toyota Camry.

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What price gouging?

How's this for news... new prices just went up at Dodge's gas station here in Foley. Gas is down to $2.39/gallon.

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At the Foley Super 8

Just finishing up in Foley, Ala. Talking to the assistant manager of the Super 8, Laura Palmer. They have evacuees in 30 rooms, down from 66. She says it's like having family they've become so close. Palmer also says the reason Foley's been so giving is because folks here have stood in FEMA lines and have lost everything. They just stand and listen to Katrina evacuees and shake their heads in  understanding. Last year hurricane Ivan hit here, causing a lot of damage. Katrina just grazed them this year.

Also at this hotel is Melanie Mitchell. She's been here since Sept 4. Says she's had a hard time overcoming her pride and accepting help. She's used to giving, not taking she says: "It's like I've died and gone to heaven and we're living with angels."

Got to go... we're moving to find the mayor.

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"After the Storm: The Long Road Back"

Hurricane Katrina was born on August 23 and lived for 9 days… but in just one of those days, August 29, the fourth hurricane of the 2005 season triggered the greatest humanitarian disaster in America’s history… Eventually displacing more than a million people.

You have to go back to the Great Depression to see that kind of population on the move. Now two months later we’re moving to see what has and hasn’t happened in her wake.

To get to our starting point, Foley, Ala., we first had to drive east out of New Orleans. Normally the drive would be about 180 miles and take three hours. We took nine hours and covered 241 miles.

For the most part highways, I-10 in our case, are open and in only a very few places impacted by the storm. The same can’t be said for coastal highway 90. It’s a mess, most of its bridges damaged and closed. Gas is plentiful along the way and sells on average for $2.75 a gallon. The fast food spots are open and busy but don’t look for a hotel. If their open, they’re full.

We wandered on and off of I-10, dipping in and out of disaster, scouting ahead for the journey back that will make up our reports every night this week in a series we're calling "After the Storm: The Long Road Back."

CONTINUED »

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