And to the loss of human life the two events share, Katrina heaps on the loss of jobs, of pets, of homes, of old photos and neighbors and beloved landmarks and basic possessions. Even personal identification is a gargantuan problem, she said. One evacuee told her he has places to go and the money to get there — if he could access his bank account.

She expects that about one-third of those now at Camp Williams will be reunited with family elsewhere. The population left behind will face different challenges.

The gratitude to be alive and cared for will wear off, she said, as long-term realities set in. "I'm safe, but I've got nothing. How do I build my life back? I think we'll see a lot of post-traumatic stress."

Counselors at Camp Williams are meeting folks who are having trouble sleeping, who feel agitated and frustrated and sad. Chilton said so far perhaps 5 percent of the evacuees are demonstrating signs of acute distress, even mild dementia. A couple of people were hospitalized with psychiatric issues.

One thing everyone seems to have in common, Delheimer said, is a need to talk. And that is the form most "counseling" takes right now.

"If you put up a sign that says 'counseling,' people don't want to go," she said. "Right now it's more a matter of just starting a conversation. Our work is very informal."

A brief initial screening helped those who take medications replace them. Before long, Delheimer predicted, there will be some support groups set up, both at the camp and in the community. In the meantime, people are being encouraged to talk about what they've endured and seen and anything else they want to discuss.

The evacuees are also helping each other over the emotional hurdles, instinctively following the advice Delheimer also offers for those who didn't endure the storm but are nonetheless traumatized.

"If you're losing sleep and worry is interfering with day-to-day functioning, find somebody and talk to them. A bishop or priest or minister or local mental health person or just a friend." She also recommends that someone who has become obsessed or can't sleep see a doctor.

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E-mail: lois@desnews.com