10 years ago today I was scared for my life watching tornadoes break through the trees a few acres away. My best friend, along with her family and I, huddled around a radio transmitter praying that we, and our hometown of New Orleans, would survive Hurricane Katrina. New Orleans was beaten down, raped, and left for death. But it did survive, barely.
Today I planned on writing out and sharing my story of Hurricane Katrina, as I’ve really only shared it verbally and through pictures. But I find it not only hard and depressing to transcribe to text, but almost impossible as I have so many stories I could tell. Stories of heartbreak and discovering true love. Stories of destruction and resurrection. Stories of depression and humor. So for now these photos will have to be my stories, be sure to read the captions for further details. Or ask me about my experiences next time we talk, as some stories are just better left passed on from my heart and my words, then through my writing.
In honor of the fascinating resilient New Orleans, the strangely unique city that will always be my first home, I wanted to share my collection of New Orleans fine art prints. So do me a favor. Don’t just look at these sad stories below of New Orleans, as I only share these to remember our history. But also look at the uplifting and beautiful pictures of New Orleans showcased in my New Orleans photography collection. This online gallery also has many photographs of Mardi Gras, the French Quarter, some fun Saints pictures, and for those that want it- Hurricane Katrina.
Anything ordered now and through Monday will be 25% off along with another 25% of the sale will be donated to the Gulf Restoration Network, a non-profit whose mission is “committed to uniting and empowering people to protect and restore the natural resources of the Gulf Region.”
As much as I love my new home of Denver, it always broke my heart to no longer be in New Orleans following the storm, and to have not been a part of the ground troop of locals rebuilding the city. So the best way I always found to help from afar was through my photography and my stories. Please feel free to also leave your story or just a simple comment below, and thank you for remembering Hurricane Katrina.
Water to Rooftops, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans
Entering my home for the first time after the storm- one month later when the water finally drained from the city- check out the watermark around the house that shows how high the water was. And yes the face mask was necessary, the whole city stunk like sewage, rotten bodies, and mold.
The bottom floor of our house in New Orleans
The sky had come crumbling down…the top floor of our home, covered in mold and stench.
Our friends in Gulfport, MS had it the worse, nothing left but their concrete steps and a teddy bear.
Normally bustling with artists and tourists, Jackson Square pedestrian mall had never looked so empty and desolate, 4 months after the storm
For months after the storm refrigerators lined the streets, tied up to keep the stench or rotten food from escaping, just waiting to be picked up and carried away
Trash piled up the streets as residents returned home and began the process of clearing out their destroyed belongings
For more pictures from Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath around New Orleans and other parts of the Gulf Coast, watch the slideshow below, or check out my New Orleans photography collection.
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