WIMBORNE'S Mayoress is desperately waiting to hear if her elderly mother will join the thousands being made homeless in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Pam Perry's widowed mother Sheila Weilbaecher, aged 84, flew back to Louisiana this week having been visiting relatives in England when the disaster struck.

Mrs Weilbaecher, who lives on her own in the New Orleans suburb of Gentilly, was unable to find out before she left whether her home was still standing.

She had been on a 10-day trip to Britain with another daughter, Sarah, and son-in-law Herb, who live in Lafayette, around 140 miles west of New Orleans.

Mrs Perry, wife of Wimborne's Mayor John, said she was anxious for news.

"I'm hoping I can speak to them to find out what's happening but all the power is down so it's virtually impossible to get through," she told the Daily Echo.

"It could be months before we hear anything about her house but I'm hoping it's far enough back not to have been affected. I'm sure Mum will be okay as she is in safe hands and will stay with my sister for the time being."

Mrs Weilbaecher, a GI bride, watched the shocking scenes from New Orleans unfold on television.

The family was also relieved to hear from Mrs Perry's other sister Deborah, whose family fled their home 40 miles from New Orleans as the hurricane approached and took shelter in a school in Covington.

"They are back home now. There was minimal damage to their home and they are without power but at least they are alive," she said.

Mrs Perry, who was brought up in New Orleans and moved to England after meeting her husband-to-be in 1968, said she was shocked at the length of time it took essential aid to reach the victims of the disaster.

"A lot of questions need answering. People were stranded on roads for several for days without even water. It's absolutely appalling," she added.

First published: September 6