WAVELAND, Miss. (WLOX) - On Wednesday morning in Waveland, a sunrise service organized by Steps Coalition was held at Gulfside Assembly.

“You know, hearing in my soul, in my spirit, the knocking on the roof to get out... it was horrendous,” said Alicia Johnson-Perry.

That’s how she remembers the day 20 years ago when Hurricane Katrina tore through the Coast.

“I was in my 30s — young 30s — and I just purchased a house being a single woman. I was so excited. I just painted it up and all the things, you know. It hadn’t even been a year before Katrina hit and wiped it out."

Johnson-Perry joined dozens of others at the Gulfside Assembly Retreat Center for a sunrise service honoring the lives lost and recognizing the strength it took to rebuild.

“We’re recognizing the people, the victims, t

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