Contraflow: From New Orleans to Houston

WINNER OF THE 2017 IPPY BRONZE MEDAL FOR BEST REGIONAL NONFICTION (SOUTH U.S.)

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.