Having stayed behind for work, Russell was still in the family’s eastern New Orleans apartment, a three story building, when the storm hit. The shelters were all so crowded there was barely room to sit, let alone sleep, so the family stayed with other relatives or in hotels along the way. They finally ended up in Houston where Russell was able to meet up with them.
She and her family stopped first in Alexandria, Louisiana, and then moved on to College Station, Texas. Even leaving the day before the storm, they were stuck in traffic for so long they were still in New Orleans when the rains started to hit. Russell’s wife, Renetta, had already evacuated the city with two of their daughters and other family members. “Look,” he said, “ Bob Breck (a longtime TV weathercaster in the New Orleans market) is saying, ‘Leave or die.’ It’s time to go!” He encouraged other employees to do the same. With only one guest left, Chef Russell Green decided it was time for him to leave. The manager wanted to stay open for a few more hours.
The hurricane was little more than a day off shore, and the casino’s buffet style restaurant was still open for business.
I have got to go!” Chef Green told the manager at Harrah’s Casino in New Orleans as Hurricane Katrina closed in on the city.
