When the Water Came, People Answered
August 29, 2005.
The levees failed. The water surged in and swallowed whole neighborhoods. Phones went dead. Power grids collapsed. Families were stranded, cut off, and waiting for help that wasn’t coming fast enough.
But when systems failed, people stepped forward.
From the Coast Guard pulling families off rooftops, to police and fire, to the National Guard, to neighbors with boats, to families helping each other survive — and yes, to groups of amateur radio operators who worked in the shadows to keep the lines of communication alive.
It took everyone, from every walk of life, answering the call.
Carl’s Story in Bossier Parish
One of those voices belonged to Carl.
Carl volunteered for shifts at the Bossier Parish 911 center in the days after Katrina. He and his local group of amateur radio volunteers weren’t on the front page of the news, but they carried their share of the load. When phones went down and dispatch was stretched thin, they passed messages, relayed calls, and gave people a fighting chance at connection.
Later, Carl told me about the calls that got through — the ones that brought relief. He also shared about the calls he couldn’t help, the ones that haunted him. That kind of weight doesn’t fade quickly. *see bonus material below
A Silent Key, Still Speaking
Carl is now what we in amateur radio call a Silent Key. He passed away a few years ago, but his service and his story remain. In Bossier Parish, he and his local group of radio volunteers carried a piece of the load when the phones went down and the 911 center was overwhelmed. Carl didn’t just share the victories — he spoke honestly about the trauma, the calls he could answer, and the ones he couldn’t. His willingness to carry that weight, and later to share it with the rest of us, is why we honor him today. He reminds us that service often comes with scars, but it also saves lives.
Why It Still Matters
It’s been twenty years since Katrina. For some, it’s history now. For others, the scars are still fresh. But the lesson hasn’t changed.
Infrastructure can fail. Power grids can collapse. Phones can go silent.
And when they do, it’s people who step forward — whether in a uniform, in a boat, or behind a radio.
Carl’s story reminds us that amateur radio isn’t just a hobby. It’s one of many tools that keep people connected when the grid goes down. His group in Bossier Parish played their part, just like so many others did across Louisiana and the Gulf.
The Call Today
Carl showed up. His group showed up. So did the Coast Guard, the Guard units, the first responders, the neighbors, and the families. Katrina proved that in the worst moments, people are still willing to step in and serve.
And that’s the challenge for us today.
Storms will come. Outages will happen. Emergencies will cut people off again. We don’t get to pick the moment, but we can decide if we’re ready for it.
The best way to honor Carl — and all who served during Katrina — is to carry their example forward: be prepared, stay connected, and be willing to stand in the gap when others need you.
Because when the next storm comes — and it will — connection might be the one thing that keeps hope alive.
*Bonus: Carl’s Full Story
To close, I want to share something special. Just below, you’ll find a 60-minute recording from Carl, originally captured in 2015.
It’s a deep, behind-the-scenes look at the recovery efforts after Katrina — the part most people never heard about. Carl's recording shows how local amateur radio operators hundreds of miles away helped shoulder the load as 911 calls were rerouted to any system that could still take them.
It’s not easy listening at times, but it’s honest, raw, and worth your time.
Original Post: HamRadio 360- Hurricane Katrina with Carl KB5WMY (SK)
BONUS Video Links
A fellow ham sent me these links from his local news station featuring Ham Radio during the storm:
KOLR-Katrina Part 1
KOLR- Katrina Part 2
About the Author
Caleb Nelson (K4CDN) is a husband, father of five, and the founder of the Family Connect System—a practical, family-first approach to emergency communication. A veteran of FM radio and a licensed Amateur Radio Operator, Caleb draws on decades of real-world experience, including nearly ten years in the professional fire service as an Engineer and EMT.
He and his wife of over 25 years, Carla, homeschool their children and run a small business together—often with the help of their two loyal Goldendoodles. Whether he's writing, teaching, or talking on the airwaves, Caleb’s heart to serve and protect families is at the center of everything he does.
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