Sharing my work of today - Katrina damage

[Carters Mom]

I went to Grand Isle, Louisiana . . . located at the southernmost tip of Jefferson Parish. I was accompanied by a newspaper reporter that is doing a story on how the 1500 residents of that community are coping with the tradegy and how they are handling the recovery.

Only 5 residents remained on the island for the storm and they were safely rescued. This is nearby the mouth of the Mississippi River and is Louisiana's only beach.

We got as close as we could to Grand Isle -- they were limiting access.

The images can be seen at http://lisanealphotography.com/comet/lowres.

My favorite is the structure that came to rest on a bridge. I have no idea where it came from because so many foundations were without homes on them.

From what we were told, there was at least 10 feet of water at these locations from tidal surge/waves/etc. No one knows for sure. Also we were told that a wind gauge broke when the winds reached 187 mph during the storm. This information was given to us from a deputy with the island police department.

This community is about 75 miles from me - give or take a little. Its at the end of Hwy 1 in Louisiana. I live on Hwy 1 but in northern Lafourche Parish.

Lisa

[Francie]

Originally Posted by Carters Mom

I went to Grand Isle, Louisiana . . . located at the southernmost tip of Jefferson Parish. I was accompanied by a newspaper reporter that is doing a story on how the 1500 residents of that community are coping with the tradegy and how they are handling the recovery.

Only 5 residents remained on the island for the storm and they were safely rescued. This is nearby the mouth of the Mississippi River and is Louisiana's only beach.

We got as close as we could to Grand Isle -- they were limiting access.

The images can be seen at http://lisanealphotography.com/comet/lowres.

My favorite is the structure that came to rest on a bridge. I have no idea where it came from because so many foundations were without homes on them.

From what we were told, there was at least 10 feet of water at these locations from tidal surge/waves/etc. No one knows for sure. Also we were told that a wind gauge broke when the winds reached 187 mph during the storm. This information was given to us from a deputy with the island police department.

This community is about 75 miles from me - give or take a little. Its at the end of Hwy 1 in Louisiana. I live on Hwy 1 but in northern Lafourche Parish.

Lisa

Lisa...those are just Amazing photos! I can't even comprehend the loss down there...its overwhelming....


Francie

[iheartyorkies]

Those images are just heartbreaking. And to think there are hundreds more homes just like those. I can't believe the cars all piled up like that. It looks like the place is a junk yard! How sad! What a horrible mess!

[Carters Mom]

My husband is going back to work on Sunday. Had he been home longer than that, we would have gone to Waveland, Mississippi to bring is brother more supplies (canned goods, gas, ice, etc). I would have wanted to photograph some of the damage in that area. In that area, it looks like a wrecking ball simply bashed in every structure you could imagine. Its just a debris field of lumber, roofing materials, personal belongings thrown all over the place.

What I witnessed at the base of Grand Isle was unbelievable to me since just 70 miles "up the bayou" (as us cajunfolk say) there was only limited damage.

Lisa

[iheartyorkies]

It is just unbelieveable! I haven't been able to watch much of the news reports cause I just start to cry! And the flooding! How on earth will they ever get it cleaned up. I suspect that most of those flooded houses won't be livable. I heard on the radio today that a women who studied mold after the flooding in Missouri a few years ago said that when mold starts to grow in a house it is virtually impossible to get rid of it. She said even treating it with the strongest bleach and stripping the house to the timbers sometimes doesn't help. The health consequences of living there are not worth the risk. I have pretty bad asthma and I'd have to just raze my house and start all over.

[luvyorksforever]

That just rips my heart out seeing all that . Makes you appreciate what you have.My heart goes out to all those affected by this.

[rrosenberry]

Watching it on tv,, just doesnt seem real,,, real photos like that makes it a little easier to imagine,,, Im sure in person is surreal.... I cant imagine, Great shots!

[Kaluiah]

Those photo's brings tears to my eye's my thoughts and prayers go out to all of them!

[Carters Mom]

Different areas on the gulf coast have different types of damage. Wind damage was paramount for this community moreso than flooding. These homes are all a good 10-12 feet off the ground because they are on the coast.

In the New Orleans metropolitan area, there is plenty wind damage however . . . the flooding caused more damage and has the longest lasting effects.

I watched MSNBC during the night and during a one hour program they aired, the reporter was riding with two police officers through parts of the city that were still flooded. He said the smell was unbelievable. I can only imagine what it is like.

[yorkieusa]

Lisa,

I wanted to thank you for posting those photos. I sat down late last night and looked at all of them thoroughly. Heartbreaking...

[Carters Mom]

I felt like I needed to share with the forum what I witnessed. I hurt some feelings in another thread and in sharing what my eyes saw yesterday, I am hoping that members can try to understand what its been like for the last week and a half when this kind of tragedy hits close to home.

Thanks!
Lisa

[Kelz]

wow..that's all that really ever comes to mind when i look at pictures of the damage.. I can't imagine what those people are going through that lost everything.

[fasteddie]

Those are some very telling pictures, I can't imagine witnessing that in person. You are doing some very honorable work.

[red98vett]

I agree Lisa....that has to be just unreal to be seeing in person....way to go and please keep us posted as to how it's going