In both areas it seemed like there were not enough resources to deal with the damage. In New Iberia, neglect was the main problem. In New Orleans, it was disorganization. |
In New Orleans, we often came across houses that had only been opened once or twice since the flooding in late August. Some had had the furniture removed, but in others nothing had been touched and everything had to be removed. In five days we managed to demolish five houses, mostly one level with five or six rooms, down to the studs, which we then sprayed with bleach. The piles of debris were amazing. |
The January trip to New Orleans was more overwhelming than the first two simply because of the density of destruction. In the New Iberia area, houses were destroyed but they were spread out over a larger area. In New Orleans, however, there was block after block of homes that had been completely gutted and other areas where it was clear the houses had been totally destroyed. |