Hurricane survivors cleaning up again
UNITED STATES: Hundreds of New Orleans area residents sifted through debris yesterday as recovery efforts ramped up after a ferocious tornado with winds up to 270kmh tore through the same area Hurricane Katrina ravaged 12 years ago.
Four tornadoes struck parts of southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday, injuring more than 30 people. New Orleans East, home to the Katrina-devastated 9th Ward, suffered the greatest damage when the violent winds swept through, destroying homes and businesses, flipping cars and trucks and leaving thousands without power.
Amazingly, no deaths were reported, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said.
Broken wood, downed power lines and nails lay outside Charron Carmouche’s house as a grim reminder of what happened. ‘‘My sister and my little nephew were in the house, in the tub,’’ Carmouche said. ‘‘Somebody had to kick in the door to rescue them.’’
Kim Le said her backyard was ‘‘completely demolished’’. At her parents’ house, a neighbour’s roof now sits on the top of their home. ‘‘My mom’s bathroom is caved in because of the damage,’’ she said.
Le’s father, Francis, lived through Katrina but said he had never seen anything like this. Despite the damage to his home and lack of electricity, he planned on lighting candles and staying put.
‘‘I’ve been living here about 20 years,’’ Le said. ‘‘I’ve never seen a tornado over here.’’
Edwards issued a disaster declaration for the affected area, saying he was heartbroken to see those who endured suffering again.
The destruction reminded many not only of Katrina’s devastation but also the determination to overcome the storm.
‘‘We all went through Katrina, so you just get on it and clean up and move forward,’’ said New Orleans East resident Tara Fischer.
‘‘Next step is to rebuild, that’s what we do in New Orleans,’’ said Gregory Brooks. ‘‘We encounter disasters and we come back.’’
- USA Today Katrina