Quarterback Brett Favre's Childhood Home Destroyed

Sept. 1, 2005 — -- The childhood home of Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre in Kiln, Miss., was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, but his mother and brothers who rode out the storm in the house are safe.

Favre spoke to "Good Morning America" about the effects of the hurricane on his family and encouraged others to donate whatever they can to the relief effort.

"It's just a tragedy, it's terrible," Favre said. "One of the downsides, if there is one, of living on the Gulf Coast is you always face this type of tragedy."

Favre's wife, Deanna, and their two daughters are at their Hattiesburg home, 60 miles north of Kiln. Deanna, 16-year-old Brittany and 6-year-old Breleigh are safe, although the property was damaged and there is no power. About 50 people are staying there with him.

Favre's mother, Bonita, and brothers Jeff and Scott, decided against evacuating and instead gathered at his childhood home in Hancock County, one of the areas hit hardest by the hurricane in Mississippi. Favre's grandmother, aunt and other family members were also there.

"They rode out [Hurricane] Camille in that house and felt if they could ride out Camille, they would be fine," Favre said.

Favre's mother was seven months pregnant with him when Hurricane Camille stuck in 1969, killing 256 people in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Water did not come come close to the family home in 1969, but during Katrina the water flowed rapidly into the house.

"Within a matter of minutes they said the water was two, three, up to eight feet high," Favre said. "Trying to find humor in the situation, my mom said there were actually fish in the house and in the yard the next day."

Favre said his brothers swam through the house as his mother and grandmother waited out the storm in the attic.

The home is so badly damaged it will most likely be bulldozed.

"I think the most important thing is people down there right now have nothing," Favre said. "My family has only the clothes they had on during the hurricane."

Favre said he could have gotten permission from the Packers to skip tonight's final preseason game against Tennessee, but decided against it because the roads to his home are impassible.