New Prague native escaped New Orleans before Katrina hit

Patrick Fisher, Staff Writer

Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath from it has changed many lives. One of those people affected by the storm was Dr. Carl (Barney) Burkland, formerly of New Prague.

The son of Dr. Carl and Kathie Burkland of New Prague, he moved to New Orleans in June, after graduating from medical school, and was a resident physician at Charity Hospital in that city.

Burkland was not on duty that weekend, and he and others not on duty were told to evacuate and then get back as soon as possible. He was able to get out before the worst of the storm and has been home with his parents since Wednesday, Aug. 31. He was scheduled to leave the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 6, for Baton Rouge.

I lived right in the downtown in the warehouse district that’s been on TV