Upper 9th Ward

Sunday, 6:54 pm

By Kate

Jul

16

2006

10 months after Katrina:

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A couple of houses show signs of activity on this street. The brown tape markers on the telephone pole show the high water mark and various depths as the flood waters receded. Attached by search and rescue people in boats, the markers helped the searchers know which areas needed to be rechecked as waters fell. The water levels greatly varied from area to area.

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The SPCA also left marks on houses indicating where animals had been found or rescued. This one says a dog had been found outside. In case returning residents want to reclaim their pets. I doubt if that’s possible now, though.

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A neighborhood where people have come back to reclaim their homes. Lots of activity on this street. Hurricane wind damage evident here as well as flood damage. All of the houses in these pictures are labeled TFW (Toxic Flood Water) and are not habitable until they’ve been gutted, power washed, and disinfected.

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Corner gas/service station still in the same condition it was 10 months ago. So much clean-up left to do that isn’t getting done.

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Another view of the gas/service station and house next door, showing clear signs of hurricane and flood damage. This is not a busy, thriving service station, obviously.

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One house already undergoing rebuilding. The pile of rubble is what’s left of a house that stood on this lot. It was too damaged to be repaired and was bulldozed before it further collapsed and hurt someone. Habitat for Humanity is helping to rebuild homes on many lots like these if the former inhabitants meet the requirements. Mainly, ownership, a willingness to work hard with Habitat and an agreement to live in it.