I don’t mean to be sensational with a video like this.  I post it for 2 reasons.

First, just to show that the post-storm clean up is just beginning.  In some areas, it hasn’t even started.  It has been too dangerous to go back yet.  East bank of Plaquemines Parish, areas of lower Jefferson Parish, neighborhoods in St. John Parish and others, all still too flooded to return.  So people are in limbo, can’t start recovery.  Some never will.

Secondly,  because of what this gentleman says about the community being so important.  We say it’s that way in south Louisiana, but really, it’s that way everywhere.  People’s most important, most gut wrenching loss is their people.  I felt that way after Katrina, when my best friends were somewhere in north Texas and some in other states – some I didn’t even know.  Everyone scatters and tries to keep in touch but it’s never the same.  Daily doses of the folks you live to love plucked away.  When you need your “posse” the most, they’re all spread out hither and yon, wherever they landed. Stability, gone.  Routine gone.  Traditions, gone. It’s more than a bunch of houses.  People lived there because they grew up there, where their parents grew up, and their parents.  And because it’s where their people are.  Now the people are not only gone, the place is too ruined to come back.

Community, gone.  Start over.  Again.

http://www.wdsu.com/news/local-news/new-orleans/Eastbank-of-Plaquemines-devastated-in-Hurricane-Isaac/-/9853400/16468838/-/15uqdwf/-/index.html

A comparison of the satellite views of Hurricanes Katrina 8/29/2005 and Isaac 8/29/2012, from WVUE Fox 8 News.

Gramercy Welcome Center Thursday 093012

Home of the famous Mittendorf’s Restaurant

I-55 between LaPlace and Hammond, where Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas meet.

photo via LaGOHSEP

CPRA – Manchac | Flickr – Photo Sharing!.

Joe Duhe and Cindy Haydel at Rotolo’s in LaPlace Sept 2, 12

I am so choked up right now. After all the glowing reviews of Rotolo’s we decided to get a pizza before leaving Laplace. We walked in and saw a table of army soldiers and a table of Samaritan’s purse relief workers. We talked to both then sat at the only table available (yay Rotolo’s !)

The folks at the table next to us struck up a conversation and told us all about his rescue adventures last week, helping get people out of flooded areas starting with River Forest. He’s not a fireman or police officer, but a brave citizen with a big heart and a boat. And an ax. He even helped a woman go back to her daughter’s house to rescue her dog. What a great guy! They were so sweet. Thanks Joe Duhe & Cindy Haydel for helping your neighbors & being so nice!

Oh, and just for icing, we saw that when they left, they paid the bill for the soldiers!
Man, Louisianans are awesome!

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