How has a disater of any kind affected your life?

I also am from New Orleans (9th ward) but I am living in Lafayette for college so I was not caught in the storm. Most of my family lost all their possesions one of my aunts lived directly across the street from the levee. My great-great aunt was stuck on her roof for 4 days without food or water before she was rescued and was sick for months after. My grandmother was so depressed by what happend she said she gives up and told the family she is not going to fight her cancer and she passed in April. We lost so much that we had to get a picture off one of my cousin's phone to use for her obituary. My family is now all over the US and I don't think we will ever be back to how we used to be.

I know it is hard, I had people in tha N.O. also, I had a similar situation, my cuz passed away about 2 months after the storm, even though she moved closer to use 5 years before, she felt a sense of emptiness and depression and her sickness got worse, she was only in her 30's.
I dont know what I would have done if it were me or my family, the materialistic, you can get over, it's just the spiritual/mental part. I say Pray because just think about those who have it worse.