How Katrina evacuees found love

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The seventh anniversary of Hurricane Katrina striking the Gulf Coast is also a special anniversary for one Central Texas couple.

It was then that they found light and love at the end of the tunnel.

Aug. 29, 2005: the day Hurricane Katrina made landfall on New Orleans. For Nelson Lanehart it was a day he said he will never forget.

"Within a matter of about five minutes, we had about 4- to 5 feet of water in the house," said Lanehart.
In desperate need of shelter, his survival mode kicked in to keep him safe -- but where would he go? He packed his belongings and walked to the Super Dome.

Lanehart stayed there for several days before getting on a Red Cross bus and left the town he called home.

"I had a little fear because I didn't know where we would end up," said Lanehart. "Once you get on the bus you have no idea where you are going."

His bus ended up in Princeton, Texas, at a Red Cross facility being used to house Katrina evacuees.

"Around ten o'clock these two big coach busses pulled up and people started getting off," said Angie Lanehart, a manager at the Red Cross shelter.

Angie met Nelson through his sister and the couple connected from there through their favorite game, chess.

"In the process of getting to know each other -- I play chess -- so I started talking to her and got her into playing chess," said Nelson. "And eventually [chess] we would play longer and longer."

The couple ended up getting married and starting their lives over together in Central Texas. Now seven years later, they watch as Hurricane Isaac brews in New Orleans, as memories come flooding back.

The Laneharts still volunteer for the Red Cross and share their story of inspiration.

"He is able to give them hope because of his story and where he had been and where he is now," said Angie Lanehart.

The American Red Cross said they have learned from Hurricane Katrina as well, a lesson they are now using to help with Hurricane Isaac.

"The Red Cross has already sent 2,500 Red Cross workers assigned to Isaac response," said Sara Kennedy, a representative of the Red Cross.

For the Laneharts it was a response that led to love and a storm that had a cloud with a silver lining.

"Nelson is a blessing to me and I'm thankful that God did what he did and brought us together," said Angie Lanehart.

The Red Cross Central Texas chapter has sent out a crew of 10 people to help in Hurricane Isaac relief so far.

The nonprofit organization is always looking for volunteers to help in disaster situations. To find out more information on how to become a volunteer, visit this website.