Disaster can happen with little warning. Natchez has seen its share in recent decades, including an ice storm in the 1950s, a chlorine-laden barge sinking nearby in the Mississippi River in the 1960s and

many fires destroying landmark buildings.

However, the storm that struck the city on Feb. 26, 1998, stands out as the worst disaster most residents of the Natchez area recall. Tornado or straight-line wind &045;&045; the weather experts perplexed locals with their terminology. But for those who were in the path of the storm, the images remain vivid.

It was just after 10 a.m., and Brenda Zerby was at home on North Pearl Street. She remembers the moment.

&uot;I was in the front part of the house and started hearing things crash against the house,&uot; said Zerby, co-owner of Moreton’s Flowerland with her husband, Blair.

&uot;Then I started hearing windows breaking, first in the front and then in the back. I said, ‘what is happening?’ And I looked out the window and saw things flying down the street,&uot; she said.

Because employees were at the shop, the Zerbys left to make their way through the debris to the shop on Franklin Street a few blocks away. &uot;We saw trees down, people running, bricks down. We made our way to the shop because we were concerned about the people there,&uot; she said.

The employees were fine. A large plate glass window was broken and the front awning was down. Damage was manageable.

The Zerbys’ two sons were at Cathedral School, where one group of young students was huddled against a wall when it collapsed and fell outward.

&uot;Those children who were at Cathedral that day probably look at storms in an entirely different way now,&uot; Brenda Zerby said.

The storm took the community by surprise. At Red Cross headquarters on North Union Street, then-director Norma Geisenberger was alone.

&uot;We were without power. I left a note saying where I was and went to the Civil Defense office,&uot; she said. &uot;They had power. I used the phone there to make contacts.&uot;

The Civil Defense office plays an important role in partnering with agencies like the Red Cross, Geisenberger said. &uot;They always were helpful. We did drills with them for disaster, both weather and hazardous materials drills.&uot;

Red Cross volunteers came from Jackson to assist local volunteers. &uot;We set up an office to interview anyone who had damage or had lost their home,&uot; she said.

Because she had excellent Natchez volunteers, such as Ann Thornhill, Bill Hancock, Harry Staggs and others, the work went smoothly, Geisenberger said.

&uot;We had about 20 to 25 who had taken all the disaster training,&uot; she said. &uot;Because of that, I think we did very well.&uot;

Disasters such as that one show the need for a strong local chapter, Geisenberger said.

&uot;We don’t know when there’s going to be a disaster. We need trained people.&uot;