The Superdome went from a shelter to an emotional refuge for so many South Louisianians in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
NOPD Deputy Supt. Nicholas Gernon reflects on first working at the dome during Saints games and events before the storm.
“I worked garage six and we would, you know, flag people in and we would direct traffic out there to try and get everybody in. And when the game was over, we would direct traffic and get them out,” said Gernon.
It was a similar relationship in the aftermath of the disaster. Gernon was working to get survivors into the dome who would eventually be taken out of the city.
“We knew that it wasn’t ever supposed to be a shelter of the last resort,” said Gernon. “But we also knew that the National Guard was there, that there were other police officers being stationed there.”
During an uncertain time, the superdome also faced an uncertain future.
“There were people were talking about did New Orleans deserve to exist,” said Gernon. “I mean, I get goosebumps thinking about that, as a person who’s lived here my whole life. Like, of course we deserve to exist. We deserve to exist as much as any other American city.”
When the dome did reopen, the results proved that to the nation and the world. Gernon said it was a message to South Louisianians that the disaster was over, and the recovery could officially begin.
“People had been dealing with so many horrendous things, you know, burying loved ones, gutting out houses, fighting with the Road Home program,” said Gernon. “It did truly give people a few hours, but it also gave people like a bit of a a support system.”
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