just to the east of new orleans rests the small crabbing community of irish bayou. the approach along interstate 10 towards irish bayou from new orleans was largely flooded and this deserted town was now mostly forgotten. one local, back to check on his property wondered what lay next for this community. "no more crabs" he said flatly. he told me that almost everyone in town had evacuated before katrina had hit land. two families had stayed on and they had not survived.

as i surveyed the remains of this coastal town rita was making her approach with a grey swirling sky and sustained winds.i pushed through the wind photographing the damage and i felt afraid of what was coming.