Hurricane Katrina left thousands of people like Julie Diaz with nothing.

Her home in Mississippi was completely destroyed. And that's how she ended up in Apex.

"It was just very difficult and it was just a very difficult time and almost surreal," Diaz said

Diaz said she moved to Apex to begin the healing process but she got more than just a peace of mind. She recently opened the Common Grounds Coffee Shop on Salem Street. She says the name says it all.

"We want everybody to come in and feel like a family, like they have somewhere to go," Diaz said.

It is a new place to call home and friends, like her partner at the shop, are what Diaz said she found in Apex. Still she said the memories of her loss are with her every day. All of her wedding pictures and keepsakes were destroyed. What she has left are photos of the damage.

Diaz found out through pictures on the Internet that their home had been destroyed by a 30-foot wall of water.

Diaz and her husband almost stayed in their apartment to ride out the storm but a last minute decision to leave saved their lives. It is a life she now shares with the Apex community.

"The sun shines the next day. Even when it seems like it's not OK it will be OK. It takes time to heal certain wounds," Diaz said.

Diaz said although her story had a happy ending, not everyone was that lucky. She encourages everyone to be ready for emergencies with some simple preparations.

Here are some suggestions:

Keep all of your important papers and keepsakes in one box, ready to leave in a hurry.
If you rent an apartment, always buy renters insurance.
Have a plan of communication with family and friends.
Most importantly, heed the warnings. If authorities say to evacuate, get out immediately.