Local woman safely evacuated from New Orleans
Ann and Ronald Pavlick of Georges Township have learned their daughter, Rhonda Oros, has been evacuated from New Orleans and is now safe with friends in Houston. Oros, 38, is a registered respiratory therapist who worked in the neo-natal and pediatric units at Tulane Hospital in New Orleans. She was called into work as Hurricane Katrina approached and was stranded at the hospital until she could be evacuated last Friday.
The Pavlicks contacted the Red Cross last Thursday after they had not heard from their daughter for two days. They were finally able to make contact with her last Friday night.
“I’m doing better but my oldest sister passed away yesterday,’ said Mrs. Pavlick. “It just seems to be a combination of things. I feel better but I will feel much better when I see her in person. I want to thank people for their prayers and support.’
Oros, who is single, is the only child of Ann, a retired nurse who worked at Minor Family Practice in Sabraton, W.Va., and Ronald, a retired woodshop teacher from the Albert Gallatin School District.
A 1985 graduate of Albert Gallatin High School and 1987 graduate of St. Francis Respiratory School from the former St. Francis Hospital in Pittsburgh, Oros previously worked at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown and then in Virginia and Kansas before moving to New Orleans five years ago. Mrs. Pavlick said her daughter lives on Burgundy Street in New Orleans, two blocks from Bourbon Street.
Although an evacuation of the city was ordered as Hurricane Katrina approached, Oros was not allowed to leave New Orleans and was on the work list for first duty at Tulane Hospital. She was ordered into work on Saturday, Aug. 27.
Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans on Monday, Aug. 29 and the last the Pavlicks had heard from their daughter was Tuesday, Aug. 30. Mrs. Pavlick said the hospital had gone on generator power and the generators were going out.
“When I talked to her Tuesday, the conditions were deteriorating,’ Mrs. Pavlick said in an interview with the Herald-Standard last week. “They were not able to flush the commodes. There was no air conditioning and the heat was 110 degrees. When they were not on duty, they were not able to take a bath. The conditions have become deplorable.’
Mrs. Pavlick said her daughter was tired and having difficulty sleeping and knew little about what was going on in the areas affected by the hurricane.
Speaking Tuesday afternoon, Mrs. Pavlick said she finally heard from her daughter Friday night after she had been taken to Houston.
Oros told them her story.
“They were trying to take patients out and they had snipers shooting at the helicopter,’ said Mrs. Pavlick. “I couldn’t find out which hospitals they were shooting out. Eventually, they were able to get all the patients evacuated. They had been in darkness since Tuesday. On Thursday, for her safety and her group (13 hospital employees), they took them out of the hospital and to the sixth floor of the parking garage and they stayed there all night into Friday morning.
“After the President was there, they were taken out with a Schinook helicopter with an armed National Guardsman,’ Mrs. Pavlick continued. “They picked them up and took them to Lafayette, Louisiana, where they had a refuge area set up for them. They had to get rid of all the clothing they had and provided them with hygiene kits, let them shower and gave them a new pair of scrubs. They had to have tetanus shots, and she’s not on antibiotics.’
Mrs. Pavlick said her daughter has friends in Houston who were in touch with people in Lafayette. Officials drove Oros to Port Charles, Texas, where she was met by her friends who took her to Houston. She is there now.
“She really had a traumatic time. I can’t even begin to imagine,’ said Mrs. Pavlick. “When she went to bed Saturday night, she went into a deep sleep and woke up, not knowing where she was. That scared her. Thank God for friends and the wonderful people who were able to communicate with one another. She called yesterday and said she had a bad day Sunday, but that Monday was a little better.’
Mrs. Pavlick said Oros is talking with her insurance company to see what she can do about her house and car.
“She’s going to relocate – probably to Houston,’ said Mrs. Pavlick, “but she will be coming home after she talks to her insurance company.’
Mrs. Pavlick said the ordeal has been traumatic for her daughter.
“She did say at one point, she didn’t think they would make it out alive,’ Mrs. Pavlick said.
But the strength of family and friends is pulling Oros through.
Mrs. Pavlick noted that one of Oros’ friends from New Orleans called Mrs. Pavlick to make certain Oros was OK and find out where she was.
Again she spoke about the support and all the calls she and her husband received while waiting to hear from Oros.
Mrs. Pavlick said, “The calls and all the comfort they’ve given to my husband and me is overwhelming.’