A homeless victim of Hurricane Katrina, which ravaged New Orleans, shelled out $4.25 in quarters and won a $1.6 million jackpot at a Louisiana casino.

Jacquelyn Sherman, a 57-year-old retired librarian told The Associated Press, that she evacuated to her sister's home in Opelousas, La. in late August, just after Hurricane Katrina destroyed her house and since that time she's been sleeping on her sister´s floor.

Sherman said she told her niece Tuesday night that she had become depressed, so the two decided to hit the casino before going to Wal-Mart. She said before she knew it, her fortune changed; she went from having almost nothing to being a millionaire.

"I am a casino fanatic, it relaxes my nerves," she told AP. "I like winning but I never expected to win like this."

She said with her winnings, she is determined to find a new, comfortable home back in the Big Easy and that she and her niece never got to Wal-Mart.

The casino where she got lucky with the slot machine was Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino in Opelousas, near Lafayette where many victims of Katrina and later Hurricane Rita sought shelter.