Yes, most of the New Orleans area looks like this. These cars and trucks were abandoned when the flood waters rose. And, I am on my soapbox.
It has been four and one half weeks since Hurricane Katrina struck our area. After one week President Bush ordered National Guard troops in. About 15,000 arrived and did a great job of rescue and recovery. Now, there is no one left alive to rescue. And, the debris from our flooded out houses is mounting higher everyday. The troops are riding around in Humvees and trucks-six and 12 to a vehicle. The Corps of Engineers is in charge of clean-up. Wouldn't common sense say "put the troops to work cleaning up"?
My once manicured neighborhood where everyone took pride in their homes and gardens will probably look like this until well after Christmas we are told.
Not if I can help it. We will get trucks and forklifts and haul out our own trash. We are free Americans, or so we believe. We do not depend on the government to take care of us; we never have and we never will.
I am more fortunate than many. At least I have Perilloux Place to retreat to and I count my blessings each evening as I get to that spot where I take the River shots. Perilloux Place received minor damages in Hurricane Katrina, most being tree damage. http://www.pbase.com/image/50052277.
P. S. on September 30, 2006--The neighborhood is not a whole lot improved from this photo of 2005. There are FEMA trailers in many of the yards while people reconstruct their houses. It seems like the debris never ends as people tear out walls and floors and furniture. Will it ever end. A few houses have still not even been cleaned out and I can only imagine the mold and mildew and stench. It is just overwhelming and some of the elderly simply cannot handle it.
P.S. on September 30, 2007 - The neighborhood got rid of its last FEMA trailer this week, but people are still tearing out sheetrock and floors and putting their house back together. It has taken this long for insurance companies to settle or for people to find enough money to restore their homes. Many companies did not give anything because they said the damage was caused by water and many were told through the years that they did not need flood insurance. The federal government has made one grand mess of things and there are so many loopholes that many people have given up and have moved away. We lost many friends during this time, some from stress, some from death brought on by stress and others who have moved to other States. It is indeed sad. My camera has helped me through the difficult times; my camera and my faith in human life.