GULFPORT, Miss. -- Neighbors say they've learned to live by the motto "expect the worst and prepare for the best." And this time, that's what they did.
One block inland from the mighty Gulf's surging waters, homeowner Harry Meier finally stepped into the rain to survey the scene Wednesday afternoon. Up and down his street, downed trees and limbs line the road, and stop signs flap in the wind like pieces of cardboard.
"It's more than everybody expected for sure," Meier said.
He isn't alone in thinking -- or maybe hoping -- Hurricane Isaac wouldn't pack a strong punch. But the important question is how does this stack up to its predecessor, Hurricane Katrina?
"Oh, get real!" Meier said. "Seven years ago, the debris was higher than me and you the day after. It was unbelievable."
Without question, Isaac isn't as strong, isn't as damaging, and isn't leaving behind the same life-shattering mess.
Meier had seven feet of water in his home that time. He just rebuilt after that disaster. Luckily today, his home is standing tall. But that fear in the back of his mind will probably never go away.
"Biggest fear with getting it rebuilt is I always thought as soon as I get it rebuilt here comes another one." He said maybe it wasn't this time, but the next one that will take another toll.
