CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - Lucius Johnson may have his hands full expanding his restaurant, but his mind is on his family in New Orleans.
"They're thinking that it's not going to be as bad as Katrina was," said Johnson.
With Hurricane Isaac looming towards the Gulf Coast, Johnson and his wife Martine are glued to the news coverage.
The New Orleans natives say their family and friends back home plan to ride out the storm.
"A lot of my family and friends have decided to stay home, we tried to get them to come this way, but they won't drive 11 hours," said Martine.
The Johnson's and their two children evacuated to Charlotte with a friend the day before Hurricane Katrina.
They thought they'd return home after the storm.
"It really opened our eyes, we were like wow, there's nothing to go back to," said Johnson.
"Once you see your city underwater it changes everything," said Martine.
So they stayed and opened the Cajun inspired restaurant "Bite Your Tongue".
Earlier this month, they moved to a bigger location.
Business is booming.
But the couple says they won't feel at peace until they know everyone back home is safe.
"The city is in our prayers, we're lifting everybody up and we're just praying for God to do a miracle and let this thing pass by," said Johnson.
