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Scenes from an evacuated city

Posted: Sunday, August 31, 2008 1:00 PM
Filed Under:

photos by Contessa Brewer, MSNBC correspondent and anchor

New Orleans is a ghost town. Normally, the French Quarter is bustling with tourist activity. Today, ahead of the storm, Canal Street is empty, save for a large police presence, journalists from around the world and National Guard troops in Humvees. I've been here as a tourist and as a journalist. After Katrina, the place bustled with reconstruction activity. It seems so strange to see this city emptied out, to be so quiet it verges on desolate.

 

In the Garden District of New Orleans, a misspelled "Thank You" sign on a boarded up restaurant, meant for the National Guard.


Below is a photo of the National Guard from New Iberia. They're in New Orleans to establish a security presence for the local street evacuations and to help move the local traffic.

 

Last minute boarding up on St. Charles Avenue.

 

A bus convoy traveling through Kenner

 

Click here for Contessa's report on MSNBC cable on the status of the evacuation efforts.

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Comments

Mayor Nagin certainly learned from his experience with Katrina.  This time, he is doing exactly what is best for New Orleans.  

Bonnie Kidd, Ocean Springs, MS (Sent Sunday, August 31, 2008 3:46 PM)

Hoping the people of New Orleans will be OK after this new storm. Hope and well being from the UK.

Colin Greenfield, North Yorkshire, England (Sent Sunday, August 31, 2008 4:19 PM)

You can bet to see a good operation this time to take care of the people that will be affected by this hurricane. I guarantee it. The republicans need no bad press over this. It's too bad that the last election wasn't happening around the time the area was struck with the last hurricane. Otherwise they would have received better care from this administration.

I applaud Bushy on doing something this time (sarcastic tone), instead of him being more concerned about his vacation. Like he did the last time this happened. And does anyone remember the lukewarm reaction he had when he found out about the tragedy on 9/11?? I haven't. And neither should you.

But sorry to say, any sincere act that is brought about is very thin veiled, and easily to see through. I just comes down to the fact that you don't want to have bad press to make the republican party look bad this close to an election... right?

Counting down to Obama taking over....

Dave T., Fort Worth, Texas (Sent Sunday, August 31, 2008 4:22 PM)

I am praying for the people of  New Orleans and Mississippi, that "Gustave" will be minimal, and you all can return to your homes, and hopefully they will be intact.
Please Lord look after these people, and  help them in their time of need.  Amen

Stella Kreyger (Sent Sunday, August 31, 2008 4:29 PM)

We will be praying for all who are involved and struggling with the storm

Theresa (Sent Sunday, August 31, 2008 4:46 PM)

My thoughts, prayers, and tears are for the Gulf coast again this time of year.  I just moved to Florida before Katrina, Rita, and WILMA!  I hope for a swift recovery with no loss of life!

Sue Moffitt, Hollywood, Florda (Sent Sunday, August 31, 2008 6:02 PM)

maybe it is time for a new federal public works to employ millions to tear down what is destroyed, bring in quarried rock by rail to dump in the low areas and bring the entire city of new orleans to at least 75 feet above sea level,use the city plans to rebuild the city the way americans want it,not 18th century frenchmen wanted it

dan smith,huntington beach,ca (Sent Sunday, August 31, 2008 6:28 PM)

Looters should be shot on the spot. The good folks have to leave their homes and property, they should be able to relax about their property from the human predators. Shoot to kill.

Carol, St Pete,Fl (Sent Sunday, August 31, 2008 6:29 PM)

When necessary, people CAN work together for the common good of all...it is good to see this, three years later when life is threatened to such an extent.  My prayers go out to everyone affected...I find myself tearing up through the day just thinking of their plight and WHAT are they going to return to...God help everyone, for sure.  Maybe prayer is the most powerful source we have now.  Then there is Hanna and who knows "who" else is spinning on the way.  Scary...really scary.   God bless us all and keep us safe.  What a crazy day we live in, but we are very capable of being our brother's keeper, so to speak, and can see each other through, no matter what!  My prayers to all in the Gulf coast, and my love.    Patricia Owens ~ NJ

Patricia Owens (Sent Sunday, August 31, 2008 6:32 PM)

At least the goverment is doing something this time. My prayers are with everyone there. God Be with you all

Cindy, D.B., Ca. (Sent Sunday, August 31, 2008 6:39 PM)

Where is America going to find the money to fix the damage that keeps being done by mother nature? $80bn for Katrina and $30bn for Gustav. I sincerely hope no one is hurt or killed!!!

Robert Wooller Bradford, England, UK (Sent Sunday, August 31, 2008 6:42 PM)

We are all praying for the city and the people who did not leave New Orleans. God be with you.

Rick James, Omaha (Sent Sunday, August 31, 2008 10:15 PM)

my pray go out to the family who had to leave home again but god is with you .YOU HAD MY PRAY GOD IS GOOD

LOUELLAPICKETT PATERSON N'J. (Sent Sunday, August 31, 2008 11:56 PM)

The only reason that something is being done as well as it is now, is because the republican party doesn't need any bad press. Any other time, not around an election, it would be a repeat when the last hurricane.

Go Obama!

Dave T., Fort Worth, Texas (Sent Monday, September 01, 2008 5:21 PM)



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