Hurricane Katrina swept through the Miss-Lou and left much in the way of downed trees and power outages – but very few injuries, and for that we are thankful.

But addition to the area’s relative good luck, there’s another story that we’d be likely to miss because, for the most part, it seemed to go smoothly and seamlessly.

It’s the way the people that stay largely behind the scenes worked together to make sure we were safe, and evacuees were sheltered and fed, during and after Katrina-related storms.

First, the unpaid heroes, the volunteers that helped feed, shelter and otherwise care for evacuees and a few locals at Natchez shelters. Some went through three-hour crash courses at the Red Cross office and immediately went to work, answering a last-minute call for anyone who would be willing volunteer. They spent long hours on their feet taking care of as many needs as possible. For that, we join the public in thanking them.

Next, public works crews worked as a team to make sure trees and other debris were out of streets and off houses to help keep the public safe. When they weren’t sure what damage the storm would do Sunday night, two workers even stayed at the city’s Public Works Division office all night to field any calls they might get. Monday morning, before the storms hit, public works crews were already checking and cleaning out any clogged-up drainage systems to help prevent flash flooding when the rains did come. During and after the storms, crews went into action to clear trees and other debris. Employees working two phones at the central office dispatched workers to the places from which they had received reports, getting to each location as soon as possible.

Sure, they’re paid for what they do. But we could learn much from that type of cooperation – in or out of storm season.