Contraflow: From New Orleans to Houston

WINNER OF THE 2017 IPPY BRONZE MEDAL FOR BEST REGIONAL NONFICTION FINALIST FOR THE 2017 NEXT GENERATION INDIE REGIONAL NONFICTION AWARD A story of leadership and compassion witnessed following Hurricane Katrina. In this eyewitness perspective, Bill Herrington weaves gripping details of the lives of people, businesses, and entire cities that were temporarily reversed and permanently altered by one of the most catastrophic storms in U.S. history, Hurricane Katrina. But from the destruction emerged a humanitarian response on a scale that few people will ever experience, including the efforts of Father Daniel K. Lahart at Strake Jesuit in Houston, Texas. On September 6, 2005, Father Lahart addressed the student body of Strake Jesuit about the decision to take in students from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. "We don't take in these students because it is easy, or fun, or good PR, or even because they'd do it for us," he said. "We do it because it is the right thing to do. You will be faced with similar situations often in your own lives. Often. Doing the right thing, even when it is difficult: This is being a 'Man for Others.'" Contraflow is a tribute to the civic, corporate, and educational leaders who stepped up to show leadership and compassion and to provide critical resources and hope in the aftermath of a devastating storm.

About the Author :
As a corporate banker in New Orleans for 20 years, Bill Herrington actively supported community education alongside his wife Frances, a teacher. He uses his unique perspective of the extraordinary leadership witnessed after Katrina to raise funds to support education of youth impacted by natural disasters or family tragedies.

Review :
Bill Herrington has written a gripping and well-informed account of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. He shares inspiring stories of everyday heroes who overcame adversity, helped others do so, and who turned individual tragedies into a community triumph. - Bill White, former Houston mayor, chairman of Lazard Houston, author of America's Fiscal Constitution Contraflow is about the lessons we all learned from Hurricane Katrina so we can better prepare future generations for crisis situations. - Russel L. Honoré, Lieutenant General of the United States Army (retired), commander of Joint Task Force Katrina, author of Survival: How a Culture of Preparedness Can Save You & Your Family from Disasters Bill Herrington's moving account of Katrina reminded me of those challenging days when so many responded so generously to the needs of friends they had yet to meet. - Daniel K. Lahart, SJ, President, Strake Jesuit College Preparatory Contraflow tells accurately how New Orleanians were impacted after Hurricane Katrina. - Newell Normand, Sheriff of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, leaders were beginning to collaborate in new and exciting ways. Bill Herrington describes how the storm affected the region-and how New Orleanians regained their hope. - Mary Landrieu, former senator of Louisiana The book is an authentic story of one family's recovery in the aftermath of Katrina. It is filled with adventure, compassion, community service, humor and love. It is a book that every New Orleanian and Houstonian who struggled through Katrina will certainly enjoy. - James Meza, Jr., former superintendent of Jefferson Parish public schools Bill Herrington offers an engaging and honest first-person account of how Hurricane Katrina impacted New Orleanians of all types in all walks of life and how Houstonians, seeing people in need, stepped up to help them. - Debbie Harwell, Ph.D., Managing Editor, Houston History, Center for Public History, University of Houston Katrina was more than incessant battering wind, driving rain, and rising water. Contraflow weaves in the horrendous with the tears of joy and accomplishments that no one could have foreseen or yearned for. Years from now, many will research and detail events and relevant facts of those dreadful days, weeks, and months. This chronicle includes facts as well as insight into the souls and minds of some real people that actually lived and endured and, in many ways, beat Katrina. - Randy Howard, former board member and commercial head of Hibernia National Bank