10 Years Post Hurricane Katrina: Has New Orleans Evolved?
HURRICANE KATRINA - still hunts the lives of millions of people to this day. Whether you were there while the
tragedy took place or you were watching from the television screen, everyone was impacted by this powerful
storm that hit the levees with great force on the day of August 28, 2005. The aftermath of the hurricane left the
city in pain, despair, and without hope. Thousands of people lost their lives, families, jobs, and state of
mind. Louisiana resident Brien Barnes reflects on tragedy,
“I will never forget hurricane Katrina! I remember waking up one early morning to the news in New Orleans
and just sitting there in disbelief on how the entire city was going to be under water in just 2 days. Being from
Louisiana, I even thought this was just going to be a regular hurricane that was going to just pass with slight
damage. I was totally wrong. It went from a category 3 to 5 real quick. The reason I'm here in Albuquerque
today 10 years later believe it or not is because of Hurricane Katrina. I believe it made my family closer in
that time of need and showed me how precious life is. I’m feeling optimistic and thankful even when faced with
such a hardship.
The city took a lot from the people of New Orleans, LA, leaving them displaced in a number of cities all across
America. Detached from family, friends and heartbroken. Many New Orleans Natives were a bit hesitant to
return to the city.
“It’s not the same. I see no positive change for the city I once called home. I pray that the rebuilding efforts are
a success. But as of now I see no change”, says 45 year old Cathy Miller, a New Orleans Native who was
displaced from New Orleans to Albuquerque, New Mexico.
However, there were some positive changes for the city. The city’s murder rate reportedly dropped four percent
post Katrina and Mayor Mitch Landrieu followed by other community leaders says that things are getting better
for the “crescent” city. Although there are many who have disagreed, the people of New Orleans are positive in
the triumphant return of their city.
During the 10th Annual Commemoration of Post Hurricane Katrina hosted by former mayor Marc H. Morial,
gathered together community leaders, New Orleans residents and President Barrack Obama at the Hyatt Hotel
in New Orleans to reflect and speak on the positive changes the city has undergone and the future changes
that are in the making.
The President spoke and filled the hearts of thousands to reflect upon, “The project of rebuilding here wasn’t
just to rebuild the city as it had been, but to rebuild the city as it should be” says President Obama. It has been
10 years since the devastation, but the community of New Orleans is striving hard to rebuild to even greater
heights in hopes of creating a better city, life, and home.