In July 2006, accompanied by my friend Cliff who grew up in New Orleans, I embarked on a photographic expedition to cover the city a year after the devastating storms of 2005. Hurricane Katrina and the resulting catastrophic levee failures resulted in countless deaths and destruction totally more than $100,000,000,000 (that’s $100 billion) in damage. Whole neighborhoods were wiped away as the city’s poorest residents were left to fend for themselves.
A year later the devastation was still visible. At times I was overwhelmed by the scope. There wasn’t a parish not touched by the storm. While my overall experience was positive, I am still struck by how much has yet to be done.
Song: “Hide and Seek” by Imogen Heap
To learn more about how you can help the city of New Orleans and its residents, visit the following websites:
“Mama D” Dyan French on MSNBC – Watch the video! You’ll recognize her from mine.
Common Ground Relief – Solidarity, not charity
New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund
Unity of Greater New Orleans – formerly Unity for the Homeless
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