Seven years ago to this day, Hurricane Katrina made landfall in southern Louisiana, causing billions of dollars in damage and killing hundreds.


Many did survive including the Larntz family who now live in the Valley. They moved from Waveland, Miss., to Wellsburg, where they now call home.


Rick and Kathy Larntz and her son, Cody, were there seven years ago when Katrina slammed on shore.


"[It was] total devastation where we lived. They said it was a town that no longer existed," Kathy Larntz said.


The family was forced to ride out the storm in their restaurant, less than a mile from the beach.


"We are going to die. It's that simple," said Rick Larntz . "The windows were an inch and a half thick and when they blew out, the roof tore off and water started coming in. We had about 4 foot of water in our restaurant," Rick Larntz recalled.


While they are out of harm's way now, Rick Larntz's parents are still down on the Mississippi coast braving Isaac.


"My mother, father and brother [are there]. They are staying in a hotel on the beach. I talked to them a little while ago. They are doing alright," Rick Larntz said.


And even though Katrina's winds were much stronger than Isaac's, Rick Larntz said the most dangerous part of a hurricane is the storm surge, not the wind speed.


Flooding has already been reported in many spots along the Gulf and once the focus turns to clean up, Kathy Larntz said you can help.


"Anyone who has any things they don't use, call the Red Cross and have them donate so it helps people out down there," she said.