By KATE MAGANDY
The (Biloxi) Sun Herald

(on behalf of Associated Press Photo Managers)

Hurricane Katrina turned south Mississippi into one of the largest debris piles ever caused by natural disaster.

Sun Herald staffers waded through broken homes, businesses and streets to document how neighbors, friends and family were affected. All the while, our staffers were dealing with their own losses — family, homes, damage and, of course, the debris.

But after the initial damage reports were assessed and some of the human stories were told, it was time to pull back and get a handle on the bigger picture of recovery, rebuilding and renewal.

Below are some suggestions for keeping an eye on the bigger picture while you're mired in the middle:

• Read other publications: People on the outside can sometimes tell a story or give you an idea of how to approach a bigger story.

• Go global on local stories: For instance, a story from a staffer about a family member, or even themselves, on an insurance matter may be compelling, but what's the bigger story? Expand from there to get the bigger picture, but don't be afraid to use the single example as a way to humanize the story.

• Ask for help: Some stories, especially in the initial going, were tough to tell objectively. We were fortunate to have help from Knight-Ridder sister papers and from the corporate offices to help cover the stories we were close to and to give the story an objective edit. And outsider's perspective really helps.

• Stay connected: Community leaders have to think "big picture" in order to get their communities back on their feet. Keeping in touch with state, local and national contacts helps to pull back and look at the story from 30,000 feet, as we like to say.

• Don't forget the people at ground level: We've just mentioned the importance of delivering the "big picture." But don't become so focused on the big stuff that you forget the smaller stories that are part of that "big picture." Finding that balance in your coverage can help keep things in focus.