Little Common ex-pat tells of hurricane trauma

Peter Knight, 40, now working in Dallas told the Observer how the Texas city has absorbed 25,000 displaced residents from New Orleans.

"It is estimated that 90,000 square miles has been impacted by Hurricane Katrina," says Peter. "To give you some comparison this is roughly the size of the UK with an estimated four to seven million residents without power."

"On a very sad note it is also estimated from 5-15 per cent are now no longer living."

Peter is currently working as a senior project director for American company Avion Systems, specialising in projects involving hi-tech and telecommunications.

"Please take some time to have some thought for the New Orleans," appeals Peter.

"From my experience they are warm and friendly and would go to some extent to help strangers.

"The whole city has some special magic that made the inner city special. The food and night life has its own special character that needs to be experience and I hope it will return to the same way."

In his email giving his thoughts on the hurricane and its effects, Peter remembers his school days.

"I attended the Down and during my third year it changed to Bexhill High. Mr Evans was the headmaster and Mr Fox was the deputy at that time. Miss Pawsey was the first and second year class teacher.

"I can remember Mr Liversage and Mr Cockings for PE, Mr Turner for RE, Mr Rye for library studies, Mr Kesper who was the year head teacher, Mr Slater and Mr Higgins who I would consider the best English teacher that I ever came across."

Peter later went on to play tennis for Bexhill College and remembers Mrs Ruis who still asks his parents how he is doing.

Peter's parents are toastmaster and former Bexhill fire officer Jim Knight and his wife Eila who ran her own travel business until semi-retirement. He has twin sisters who are both in the nursing profession in this country.

He has been in Dallas for the past two and half years having spent some time back at home following the events of 9/11..