Reznet

Flood Damage From Hurricane Ike

By Victor Merina and Jamie Billiot

 

These photos show damage from Hurricane Ike after its massive storm surge swamped Louisiana's coastline and flooded the bayou communities where much of the state's Native American population lives.

Tens of thousands were forced from their homes as dangerous water levels submerged neighborhoods and closed off highways, forcing people — still reeling from Hurricane Gustav less than two weeks earlier — to flee their homes and businesses yet again.

"We're very tired of these hurricanes. It's just like a repeat of the mud, the water and rebuild and rebuild," said Dena Foret, 41, of Dulac, La., who has spent the last three nights at Houma Junior High School along with nearly two dozen of her friends and family members in the school gymnasium. They were among many Natives struck by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. They include members of the United Houma Nation, the Pointe-au-Chien tribe, the Isle de Jean Charles Band and the Lafourche Band of the Biloxi-Chitimacha Confederation.