Magyar News, 2005. szeptember-december (16. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
2005-12-01 / 4. szám
It was my fourth visit to New Orleans. This time we drove from Connecticut through New Jersey, Virginia, and down Interstate 55. The first sign of hurricane Katrina became evident in Mississippi where large trees fell during the storm, and were pushed out of the way by dozens of clearing crews. As we arrived at New Orleans one section of Interstate 10 was reopened just a day before by taking concrete slabs of the other span of the bridge, patching up the damaged part. What received us was a different city, an incredible site, never to forget. The optimist and pessimist argue about the dangers of lightning. It never struck here before - said the optimist - so we do not have to worry about it now. Not so - said the pessimist - if it did not strike before, it must be our turn. In the case of New Orleans the Federal Government proved to be the optimist, just about everybody else was on the pessimist side. Reports of impending doom in case of a hurricane were around for some time. Newspapers, magazines wrote warning articles. The National Geographic Magazine had two major reports how the city may be wiped off the face of the Earth in case of flood or hurricane. Most of the triangle land forming the city of New Orleans lays below the surrounding waters of the Mississippi river, the Gulf of Mexico and the Lake Pontchartrain. The original highland, known as the French Quarter,- was slowly expanded during the city’s 300 year history. The marshes that protected the land were filled up, canals dug to let the water away and levees, seawalls built to hold back the tide. These newly created areas are below the level of all three surrounding The top two photos show the inside of the house, one of the rooms and the kitchen. The bottom is the old Hungarian school in Arpádhon, the roof torn up and the rain didd the rest of the damage. They were making a museum in this building. Page 3
