Notes from Post Katrina

Notes from Post Katrina

Deeper Into the 9th Ward

I went directly to the lower 9th ward the next day in New Orleans. Deacon Griffin and I were less than 1/2 mile from one of the levies that broke. I had never seen a levy. They are basically dirt surrounded by a cement walls. I don't understand construction so I couldn't begin to tell you how these things worked.

I was fortunate to run into a woman who was was willing to talk with me on camera. She was living out of her car along with her two children, her husband and her sister. Her house was standing but everything inside had been destroyed. Her walls were covered in black mold. The furniture was unusable.

However she was smiling a little because the roof had been repaired. Everyday she does a little bit more to get her house in order. She's sees the progress but knows that it is a long way from being done.

When I asked her why she was living out her car she told me that she was waiting on her FEMA trailer (I will post tomorrow and describe what those trailer homes are like.) She had no flood insurance and is receiving little assistance but she is going to be rebuild because in her eyes New Orleans is home.