Two men paddle in high water after Hurricane Katrina devastated the area August 31, 2005 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Devastation is widespread throughout the city with water approximately 12 feet high in some areas. Hundreds are feared dead and thousands were left homeless in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida by the storm.
Mario Tama / Getty Images
Stranded victims of Hurricane Katrina rest inside the Superdome September 2, 2005 in New Orleans. Thousands of troops poured into the city September 2 to help with security and delivery of supplies in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Mario Tama / Getty Images
A resident walks past a burning house fire in the 7th ward September 6, 2005 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Fire companies are struggling to combat fires in the city with no water pressure and difficult communications.
Mario Tama / Getty Images
Water floods an above ground cemetery outside Saint Patrick's Church in Plaquemines Parish September 11, 2005 in Port Sulphur, Louisiana. Residents were allowed to return to certain parts of Plaquemines Parish for the first time today.
Mario Tama / Getty Images
Annie Richburg (R) gestures as she and others pray during the funeral for her husband, Hurricane Katrina drowning victim Lejohn Richburg Jr., at St. Francis DeSales Catholic Church November 23, 2005 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Richburg and his wife, Annie, attempted to evacuate New Orleans prior to the storm, but Lejohn Richburg's weak leg prevented them from doing so, according to the family. As the flood waters rose on August 29th, they fled to their attic, where Lejohn Richburg drowned after falling from his wife's arms into the water in the stairwell. Annie was later rescued by helicopter.
Mario Tama / Getty Images
Onlookers wait for a float in front of graffitti written during the Hurricane Katrina aftermath while watching the Tucks parade during Mardi Gras festivities February 25, 2006 in New Orleans, Louisiana. New Orleans is celebrating its first Mardi Gras since Hurricane Katrina.
Mario Tama / Getty Images
Members of the Ninth Ward Marching Band march during an unofficial parade during Mardi Gras festivities February 25, 2006 in New Orleans, Louisiana. New Orleans is celebrating its first Mardi Gras since Hurricane Katrina.
Mario Tama / Getty Images
A kindergartner plays hopscotch on his first day of school at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Charter School for Science and Technology in the Lower 9th Ward August 20, 2007 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The school, closed since Katrina swept through in 2005 leaving it under 14 feet of water, finally re-opened August 13 to older students. Today was the first day for kindergarten and pre-K.
Mario Tama / Getty Images
Young boys participate in the Valley of the Silent Men Social Aid and Pleasure Club second line parade August 26, 2007 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The second line parade is a New Orleans African-American tradition whose numbers have dwindled following Hurricane Katrina. The second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina is August 29.
Mario Tama / Getty Images
Students of the first, and last, graduating class of Livingston High School prepare for their commencement June 3, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The school opened this past fall primarily for students displaced by Hurricane Katrina with modular classrooms on the grounds of a flooded school. The graduation was held in Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in the Ninth Ward which was also flooded with nine feet of water and only re-opened in April. The school will close this summer with plans for a new elementary school to be built on the grounds.
Mario Tama / Getty Images
Members of the Original Big 7 Social and Pleasure Club hold a traditional 'Second Line' parade in the Seventh Ward May 10, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The tradition sprang from when African Americans formed brass marching bands and fraternal groups to perform elaborate 'jazz funerals' for their associates. The city has so far dodged many of the effects of the recession with an unemployment rate of just 5.3% compared with 8.9% nationwide. $19 billion in federal rebuilding money has yet to be spent along with $3.8 billion in federal stimulus funds in the pipeline. Housing prices dropped just 2.1% in the fourth quarter of 2008, while nationwide prices fell 12.9%. The construction industry is strong in the city, however, New Orleans still has more than 68,000 vacant homes, most of which were damaged by Hurricane Katrina in August, 2005.
Mario Tama / Getty Images
Revelers participate in the Original New Orleans Ladies, Kids & Men Buckjumpers traditional 'Second Line' parade November 29, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The tradition sprang from when African-Americans formed brass marching bands and fraternal groups to perform elaborate 'jazz funerals' for their associates.
Mario Tama / Getty Images
