There’s plenty of frustration to go around at the slow pace of rebuilding, Peter Henderson has discovered. He’s reporting for Reuters from the city, interviewing people like Sigma Frazier. The 76-year-old is convinced neither the city nor the federal government has been helping enough. (Read more here). 
He’s also met some newcomers, like Guatemalan Antonio Santos, 31, who moved from Houston since jobs were plentiful and wages were up to 50 percent higher. (Read more here)
Do you have a question or comment for Henderson about the state of life in New Orleans? Post to the comment link below and he’ll respond here. (Update on pictures: Top picture, New Orleans, August 2005, and Spike Lee at the premiere for “When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts”, Aug. 18)
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17 comments so far
Can reporters enter and report from the FEMA trailer parks? How are things there?
- Posted by Juan-CarlosDon’t rely on the government. Get your own rear end in gear and do for yourself.
- Posted by CATRYNA WHITEIs New Orleans still sinking?
- Posted by LucRemind me of the name of the individual who decided that a ride in a boxcar is a fate worse than death.
- Posted by Shawn HendricksWhat has the City of New Orleans been doing for the last Year? What has the State of La. been doing for the Last Year?
- Posted by c reimerWhen Katrina hit, the US Army Corps of Engineers had almost completed Hurricane Protection Project, intended to secure the levees and shield the city (1-20 feet below sea level) from Cat. 3 storms. 80% of the city was flooded by Katrina’s Cat. 3 Surge. What’s the story? Is this “just going to take time” to get right? How’s the debris clean-up looking?
- Posted by Jan from HoustonC-SPAN has been running “live” the stories of what has been done about the reconstruction of New Orleans, this week.
To understand what I’m talking about and what the possibilities could be with just alittle imagination, vision and leadership. This site will open up your mind.
http://www.km-properties.com/about_dubai .htm
Since there is so much confusion and indecisiveness on what to do about the flood prone areas of New Orleans, with the proper leadership, the city could become the 9th wonder of the world. Building back in the flood areas is not going to be approved unless the houses are raised three feet above the 100 year flood height. It will be just another good engineering project, but it should be possible if the business world/people have a desire for making those areas livable and safer again.
After watching the report on C-Span, this week about New Orleans and what is going on there or should I say, “what is not going on there”. There appears not to be any imagination or leadership on changing the landscape in the lower level areas, other than building the “levies” better and higher.
What if the city/Federal Government were to take over all of the properties in the lower levels that are not going to be revived by the owners, by using the famous “imminent domain” so the rebuilding plans can go ahead without the “red tape”?
Due to the insurance problems and other codes, New Orleans will never be rebuilt in the “old way.” So, what’s the hold up in coming up with a new way? Right now the whole picture is ugly.
- Posted by CarlBcarlB
In the past, the “ole man river” has given trouble of flooding by having too much water flowing downstream, either from rain or melting snow. The mouth of the river is too narrow because of the levees and the system does not allow any other distribution of the water, other than when the levees break, then the water flows to the lowest point. Where, in this case, there were many houses located below sea level. What we have is a system which is fighting with the river instead of working with it.
- Posted by CarlBGood leadership is an issue….
If there were good leadership then some serious Urban Planning Competitions would be done and then decisions and processes can move forward.
How do people expect to move forward when they have no plans? People who fail to plan obviously plan to fail.
As Carl B says - work with not against Nature then they might not be so disappointed with the results….
- Posted by SuzyQWhy is MS rebounding so quickly when compared to LA.? If I am not mistaken MS received the full impact of Katrina. Could it be that Mississippians are not waiting on a hand out? And what happened to all of the money that the Federal Government gave to LA to fix the levees over the last 20 years?
- Posted by NickAInteresting themes contrasted– those who are complaining expect the government to solve their problems. Others see exciting and profitable opportunities in the rebuilding of the city. Of course, the latter see opportunity in hard work, whether from starting businesses or manual labor. New Orleans residents should be shamed by the illegal immigrants who are willing to do the work that the complainers want the government to do for them.
Here’s a question for the interviewer: What has the mayor of N.O. or the governor of Louisiana learned from the experience? Not much it seems, they are back to the same political games and accusations rather than challenging their citizens to make a difference.
- Posted by PhilBI have been back to New Orleans 4 times, the most recent this past august 12-14th, i miss the city i grew up in so much but from what i see on each and every visit is a sad miserable lost overgrown still destoryed city i hardly recognize and it kills a piece of my heart each time we go back . i had wanted to go back right after katrina passed , but then i watched on cnn as the water filled the city and the exodus began , lake charles … jennings la …. then on a wild road trip that eventually landed me in jacksonville florida . this isnt home and its a far cry from the loving carefree city ive know most of my adult life, but its slowly becoming very special to me.. im angry at the gov. im angry at local officials im angry at all the politicians who promised new orleans everything and delivered hardly anything … New Orleans will always be a part of my heart , and im hoping to return oneday, not this year , maybe next …. but i will return …. I MISS MY CITY …..
- Posted by DaphinyI have visited the great city of New Orleans many times. I love that place!! On a recent trip, however, I was shocked at the complete devistation caused by hurricane Katrina. Mile after mile after mile of total destruction! I am beyond blaming the government or any person for the incredibly slow recovery process. I pray that the citizens of the Gulf Coast region have the fortitude and strength to try and rebuild their lives.
- Posted by grandmaReply to NickA:
What part of “below sea level” don’t you understand?
It depends on whom you talk to as to how wonderful the other states have progressed. Are the “authorities” allowing the rebuilding of houses on the beeches? Are the authorities going to allow the rebuilding of houses in the areas of
New Orleans, that are below sea level?
what are the causes of the delay in clean-up and coming up with with workable plans?
NickA says:
- Posted by Carl BAugust 24th, 2006 at 12:53 am GMT
Why is MS rebounding so quickly when compared to LA.? If I am not mistaken MS received the full impact of Katrina. Could it be that Mississippians are not waiting on a hand out? And what happened to all of the money that the Federal Government gave to LA to fix the levees over the last 20 years?
ENOUGH ALREADY! Hurricane Katrina was a natural disaster that showed why New Orleans should be left as is and no more money spent on rebuilding it. It is under sea level and no amount of engineering anywhere can be certain to withstand a Category 4, much less 5 hurricane. Further, outside of lewd behavior and drunkeness what does this city offer? Nothing. The Mayor of New Orleans failed miserably and irrespective of what the Governor and/or President should have done that Mayor flat out failed as a leader and then the citizens there go and vote him in again as Mayor. I am disgusted that any further federal tax dollars will be spent on anything in New Orleans. Finally, in light of so many displaced citizens NOT RETURNING that is only additional proof that we should let New Orleans as is and leave it a mess.
- Posted by Joey Bailey[...] You asked Peter Henderson, reporting from New Orleans for Reuters, how the debris clean-up is going in the city and along the coast. “There are still massive debris piles and twisted houses all over the worst hit areas, including Lakeview and the Lower Ninth Ward,” Henderson writes back. Mayor Ray Nagin on Sunday told Lower Ninth Ward residents “it would be a hard three to five years. Water in the Lower Ninth is still not potable,” he added. [...]
- Posted by New Orleans facing ‘hard three to five years’ - Reuters NewsblogsLuc, I recognize that ‘Tragically Hip” song comment you wrote earlier….an excellent tune!
- Posted by rob