Pumping out New Orleans

New Orleans, U.S.A. - September 18, 2005

The rebuilding of New Orleans is well underway. It was evident as we drove into the city today that its citizens are resilient.
One of the many empty streets in the city.Massive generators, dehumidifiers, dump trucks and Port-o-lets were at nearly every corner throughout downtown. Hotels seemed to be housing the wide array of law enforcement, contractors, press and insurance appraisers. Military presence is without question, very visible. The constant rotor noise from the passing helicopters, endless trucks and humvees driving through the streets and large naval ships on the river shows a small window of the magnitude of the military deployment. Emergency Operation Centers have overtaken schools and churches. One would think, from their enormity, that one of these command centers alone would suffice for the city but there are many, scattered throughout the city, a clear indicator of the magnitude and scope of the recovery efforts.