Katrina

lr1811

For those of you that don't know, I am a Special Agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). On Thursday, every Agent in my office was mobilized to New Orleans. That night, I slept in Baton Rouge. Beginning Friday morning, I was in New Orleans working. We assisted Search & Rescue teams (who were unable to do their jobs because people were shooting at them), and we worked with the Jefferson Parish Sherrif's Office. We returned to Arkansas today. I am not really sure what to say about what happened, but the destruction and loss of life is insurmountable. The numbers WILL shock you.

I took a lot of photos but many didn't turn out well. I was unable to take my camera into some places because of all my work gear (machine gun, etc.) and the risk of water was to great to risk losing my camera. Let's put it this way, we were advised by FEMA/EPA officials to destory any clothing that was wet. Not wash or decontainate, but destroy! Between the bodies, sewage and waste, and fuel, you can only imagine what everything smelled like.

Anyway, over time I'd like to post a few photos. I'm not trying to get anyone excited with these photos - you'll see better qualitity in newspapers or other print media! But my team saw a lot - and maybe I can savage a few photos and share a few stories.

I can tell you the people in Louisiana really appreciate your efforts. Thank you to those of you that made donations (I just read Andy's post) - the people will need it.

Brian

Angelo

Brian:

I can't imagine what this experience has been like for you. I guess I can only say thank you and wish you well. Be safe!

Nikolai

Brian,
It's hard to imagine what you have experienced..
I just wanted to thank you for what you did (and keep doing)!
Spasibo!

Andy

Nikolai wrote:

It's hard to imagine what you have experienced..
I just wanted to thank you for what you did (and keep doing)!
Spasibo!

ditto, brian. thanks for the update and news - and for being there!

pathfinder

I am looking forward to hearing more of your experiences and seeing any pictures you may have.

lr1811

Looting
Thanks for the kind words! Although I wish this diaster never happened, I'm glad I had the opportunity to help out.


Unfortunately, some people in this country like to take advantage of these times, and we saw a lot of looting. I understand the need for food and water, but people would go into stores for alcohol, cigarettes and money. Here are a few photos in a gas station store in New Orleans. Although it may not look like it, looters left some food but attacked the phone booth, cash register, ATM machine, all cigarettes, and any alcohol.

lr1811

cash register
cash register and parts of the ATM machine to the left...

lr1811

across the street...
the shell station across the street...

lr1811

another
There was an older gentleman laying near the pumps. He was there Friday and again Monday. The rescue team I was with was unable to talk him into evacuaing. He was giving a lot of water, which remarkably, noone appeared to steal after we left the first time.

A lot of people didn't want to leave. They were told that electricity and water would be weeks/months away, and that it was very unsafe to stay. The hardest were the households with kids.

gus

Interesting shots lr1811.

Is the power grid completely off or have they managed to sectionalise it ?

I can see a lot of wire on the ground in that last shot with some HV towers away in the distance.

Are you left handed ?

ginger_55

I suppose a bunch of people drunk on stolen alcohol (with guns, probably) would be a scary thing. Other than that the looting seemed like such a minor thing to me. It is, as I said, what came out of the looting.

I have never known a "special agent" before, cool. And glad you were there, too.

Probably many agencies, interested people, so to speak were sent there to handle problems that I would never have guessed at.

Thanks for the photos. Were you carrying your regular camera? It would seem that w the job and all that situation would have only worked with a small compact camera.

Terrible situation. Thanks for sharing,

ginger

dragon300zx

Humungus wrote:

Interesting shots lr1811.

Is the power grid completely off or have they managed to sectionalise it ?

I can see a lot of wire on the ground in that last shot with some HV towers away in the distance.

Are you left handed ?

Power was starting to be restored to sections yesterday. It would appear they managed to sectionalise it at least in the process of restoring power. It was nice to see the pictures of the lighted signs of the hotels last night. A long way to go still but it's started.

gluwater

Thanks for sharing. It's good to see a point of view besides the media. Those are great shots and mean more with your story behind them. My friend is being deployed there on Friday, is there real reason for us to worry about his safety there? Or is a lot of the violence being overplayed by the media? I don't want to start any debates here about this, but I would like to know because of my friend.

Thanks
Nick

lr1811

power

Humungus wrote:

Interesting shots lr1811.

Is the power grid completely off or have they managed to sectionalise it ?

I can see a lot of wire on the ground in that last shot with some HV towers away in the distance.

Are you left handed ?

While I was there (I returned yesterday), there wasn't power anywhere in New Orleans. There were sections outside (like very small parts of Jefferson Parish) that were beginning to have power. I'd be very surprised if they restored power in much of NO anytime soon. Probably 80+ % of the city is under water. You're seeing my dry shots. I'll try to post some others soon.

We left the Superdome area on Friday around 9:15 pm. Looking back at a city and seeing no lights was eerie.

I am not left handed (???!!!)

lr1811

ginger_55 wrote:

I suppose a bunch of people drunk on stolen alcohol (with guns, probably) would be a scary thing. Other than that the looting seemed like such a minor thing to me. It is, as I said, what came out of the looting.

I have never known a "special agent" before, cool. And glad you were there, too.

Probably many agencies, interested people, so to speak were sent there to handle problems that I would never have guessed at.

Thanks for the photos. Were you carrying your regular camera? It would seem that w the job and all that situation would have only worked with a small compact camera.

Terrible situation. Thanks for sharing,

ginger

Looting was a problem. There is absolutely no reason to steal TV's or wrist watches. No one (that I saw or knew of) that stole food or water was bothered.

Most of the people are good people who really needed help. Unfortunately, a few made it VERY bad for many.

On Wednesday, rescue workers pulled about 2,400 people from the neighborhoods off the highway I took those photos in. It is a bad neighborhood, plagued by heroin. On Thursday, because thugs (I have other words for these animals as well) were shooting at rescue boats and helicopters, they had to suspend rescue efforts pretty much all day Thursday until Law Enforcement could accompany them into these areas. How many people died because rescue workers were not able to do their job? They were preventing rescue workers from entering elderly homes to evaculate people. I know of one were when they were able to return (with Law Enforcement), every resident was dead. This is sick.

So I say again, there is no place for the anarchy.

But I'll say again - in times of need (and I wish at all times) - you have to help your neighbors. I saw a lot of that and it made me so proud to be an American.

lr1811

gluwater wrote:

Thanks for sharing. It's good to see a point of view besides the media. Those are great shots and mean more with your story behind them. My friend is being deployed there on Friday, is there real reason for us to worry about his safety there? Or is a lot of the violence being overplayed by the media? I don't want to start any debates here about this, but I would like to know because of my friend.

Thanks
Nick

Although I woouldn't say it can't be dangerous, I can tell you that when the military came in and tooks posts at many street corners, things got safer. I'd say the danger in many parts is the water. The threat of disease is high. Those people in the water will get sick.

The biggest thing right now (in my opionion) is to get the rescue workers in and let them do their job.

lr1811

Camera

ginger_55 wrote:

I suppose a bunch of people drunk on stolen alcohol (with guns, probably) would be a scary thing. Other than that the looting seemed like such a minor thing to me. It is, as I said, what came out of the looting.

I have never known a "special agent" before, cool. And glad you were there, too.

Probably many agencies, interested people, so to speak were sent there to handle problems that I would never have guessed at.

Thanks for the photos. Were you carrying your regular camera? It would seem that w the job and all that situation would have only worked with a small compact camera.

Terrible situation. Thanks for sharing,

ginger

Yes, I was caryying my Nikon D70 - and I think my sensor needs cleaning badly! A campact camera would have been great. I wear a ballistic vest, machine gun, and gear around my waist including another gun, magazines, radio, etc. My mission there wa not to take photos so it was at times very difficult to do so.

lr1811

lines
a few more down lines...

lr1811

one more
one more...

lr1811

"this is how I ride"
I like this photo, as it shows the way we rode around the dry areas in our minivan! Side doors open, machine guns ready.

That is the Superdome in the background - or what anyone that was there would call hell. I won't talk politics, but this was a city f up. God forbid they EVER use this to host ANY event. If they don't destroy this and rebuild, I'd be shocked and disgusted. It was bad.

lr1811

Levy
I am jumping around these photos - showing no sequence. Sorry!


This was a Levy that broke in Jefferson Parish. The only time I saw saw it was at night. I had no tripod and my shutter had to stay open for about 2.5", so I hope it's not to blurry.

First helicpoters dropped what I assumed were sand bags. Then a long line of trucks carrying gravel waited for their turn to drop their load. After the pile was dropped, the truck would back up and a bulldozer would push the gravel forward. This was a round the clock operation. I believe this was the second Levy that was reparied. Behind this and to the right was an affluent neighborhood totally flooded.

lr1811

another
Sandbags (I assume)

lr1811

helicopters
Another very familiar site was all of the helicopters. Everywhere. At FEMA HQ (which they set up at the NO Saints training ground in Jefferson Parish), one landed what seemed every 2 minutes.

lr1811

flooding
I believe (not 100% still) this was Canal Street. I took this from our moving van. The water got deeper as you went in - but I think you can see some cars in this one.

I heard on the news tonight what Howard Dean said about race taking a role in Katrina deaths. HOWARD DEAN SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF HIMSELF. I have tried to avoid talking politics but what I am hearing is absolutely disgusting. And now the Governor and mayor of NO can't agree on mandatory evacuation?

Unbelievable.

lr1811

fish
As the water receded in some areas, I saw more and more fish. Or pieces of fish from what dogs would leave.

lr1811

boat launching
one of many boat launching areas (off a highway!)

lr1811

John & Kelly
I met a few celebs while in New Orleans. John Travolta & wife Kelly Preston were really nice, and his "Scientology" volunteers (yellow T-shirts) gave us Tetanue shots. I may not agree with his religion, but I can say the volunteers did (and continue to do) a wonderful job down there.

I also met Katie Couric, who I discovered was really really small! She was very nice as well.

happytogether

Thanks for the pictures. We live about an hour from New Orleans and we have been seeing helicopters flying over head several times a day.

gluwater

Some more great shots, and for not having a tripod those night pics are awsome. Thanks for keeping us informed.

Nick

lr1811

helicopters
a blackhawk about to land at FEMA base, which is the N.O. Saints training camp...

lr1811

more helis..
a chinok (spelling?)