On Sunday evening, Aug. 28, 2005 , I was looking out of the upper window of the Hyatt Regency New Orleans , looking down as crowds were scurrying to enter the Superdome. I had just checked into the hotel with my family, including my daughter and my new grandson, Jordan, who was 6 days old. I was thinking about the approach of Hurricane Katrina, predicted to arrive the next day. Would I be able to go home?

Earlier in the day, I left the Zulu Club on Broad Street, making sure everything was boarded up and sandbags were in place. I was elected Zulu president in June 2004. I had family responsibilities. Now I had club responsibilities.

That night, as a precautionary measure, Hyatt personnel instructed hotel guests to grab blankets and pillows and move to the ballrooms downstairs. The

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