Reflecting on Hurricane Katrina: New Orleans 20 Years Later

Two decades have passed since Hurricane Katrina unleashed its fury on southeast Louisiana, making landfall specifically in Plaquemines Parish, roughly 50 miles from New Orleans. The terrible storm forced thousands to flee, yet many remained. Before it hit, the city's levees began to crumble under the intense rainfall and towering storm surges, leading to catastrophic flooding. The memories of this devastation, which claimed around 1,400 lives across the Gulf Coast, linger today.

As the most financially devastating hurricane in history, Katrina's aftermath witnessed a staggered recovery. Entire districts in New Orleans were obliterated.

In the Lower Ninth Ward, a historically significant predominantly African-American neighborhood, countless homes fell victim to the storm's destruction. Before Katrina, this area was known for its high rate of multi-generational homeownership. Now, only about one-third of its original population resides there.

This disaster questioned the government's obligations to its citizens as well as the responsibilities citizens have toward one another.

Stories of Resilience and Rebuilding

Within the Ninth Ward, situated in New Orleans' eastern edge, locals shared that they couldn’t see themselves living anywhere else. Here are some of their narratives:

Eugene Green Jr., now a member of the New Orleans City Council, recalls his flooding ordeal in Gentilly. He and his family relocated temporarily to Houston, yet he returned weekly to aid in the city's recovery. Within six months, his family came back to their renewed home.

Green reflects on the challenges faced, as residents were barred from returning home for an extended period. Those who lost jobs had to seek employment elsewhere. Green pointed out the discrepancies in funding from a federal housing program, which based assistance on property value, leaving many low-income residents unable to afford their return.

In the Desire neighborhood, Marguerite Doyle-Johnston became a beacon of support for her neighbors during crises. Her ties to the area span generations, and despite repeated flooding, she remains rooted there.

Doyle-Johnston vividly remembers the many efforts she made to safeguard her neighbors and her determination to rebuild her home, a legacy from her grandfather.

Walton Bynum, once at the helm of a beloved pharmacy in the Desire region, provided various services that catered to the community’s needs. While his home stayed dry, the pharmacy didn’t survive. Bynum later transitioned to restoring historic homes post-Katrina.

Kristen, who was just a teenager when Katrina struck, now operates a thriving hair salon and rental property business in the neighborhood. Her dedication to rejuvenating Desire Street is fueled by her own experience in reconstructing her family's home.

Andrew Avery, having spent his early years in a housing project in Desire, also endured repeated hurricanes. Though his home flooded, he rebuilt it using his insurance payout. However, the site was later declared hazardous, forcing him to relocate to Gentilly.