A native returns to Lakeview.

MySA.com: Commentary

"It is an area perhaps seven miles by three to four miles. Thousands upon thousands of homes are destroyed; not a living thing is left there. There are no grass or trees living; they are black with death. No people. (Where could they all have gone?) No cats, no dogs, no birds and, believe it or not, no mosquitoes.

The only thing left was dried mud, mold and debris, people's lifetimes and memories — my memories — and the stink. I will never forget the stink. I keep washing my nostrils trying to get rid of the stink, but it remains. I guess it's in my brain more than my nose. I never smelled anything so bad."