Photography —
Katrina

It’s almost 3 years since hurricane Katrina struck Ward 9, and the area is is in a worse state than ever. A few residents stubbornly remain, but they are sparsely scattered amongst the dereliction. In the distance the sounds of car tyres squaling and shots are commonplace, but here it is eerily quiet. Having originally flattened everything, nature is now rampantly taking over, entwining itself amongst whatever remains standing. Many of the houses are shells used for dealing and taking drugs and there is a feeling of lawlessness. One woman tells us that she is still trying to restore her Father’s house — where he has lived since 1968 and still calls home.

There is a three year time limit on her insurance, which is nearly up. If she cannot complete the work within the next month or so, she won’t receive a cent. The problem is everytime she rewires the house or refits the plumbing, kids break in and rip it all out to sell for scrap. The scrap merchants and authorities know this is going on, but turn a blind eye. She knows the culprits by name — the offspring of neighbours and former friends. The house is far more ravaged than it was after the disaster. She is fighting a losing battle, and sits alone in the darkness at night with a shotgun in an attempt to protect her Father’s home.

AW — Feb, 2010