By Bryan Kay

A BROUGHTY Ferry man caught up in the Hurricane Katrina disaster in New Orleans has finally been contacted safe and well, his wife said last night.

Norrie Culross (49), who escaped uninjured amid total devastation, was in a hotel when deadly winds topping 140 mph struck, smashing hundreds of windows around him in the multi-storey building.

His family had not heard from him for four days—until he managed to track down a working phone to call home.

His wife Elena said her husband, despite being rundown by a lack of washing facilities, food and sleep, described in some detail the deteriorating conditions.

Mr Culross had related to her the real threat of disease from the decaying bodies floating around in the massive floodwaters.

“He finally managed to get to a phone and called me for a short time to let me know he was okay,” said Mrs Culross.

“It’s a relief to know that he is safe so far but he said it was unbelievable. The hurricane went right over the hotel and smashed most of the windows.

“With all the floods and all, he said he has never seen anything like it. I know part of the area he described to me and he said it is totally devastated where all the casinos were—there’s nothing left of it.

“He said he hasn’t been able to wash for four days and that he has hardly eaten or slept. The flooding is what is causing the problem. There is a scare now of diseases because of the dead bodies.”

It is now believed that Mr Culross is attempting to make his way to an operational airport after the one in New Orleans became part of the destruction. His destination is thought to be Houston, Texas.