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A Long Recovery Begins

The floodwaters that had lapped at rooftops in New Orleans, Louisiana, began to creep lower last week. Each hour, pumps removed enough water to fill 432 Olympic-size swimming pools. Even at that rate, cleaning up Hurricane Katrina's mess could take the Army Corps of Engineers months.

The water is loaded with germs, dangerous chemicals and debris. Such hazards led New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin to order all survivors to either evacuate or be forcibly removed by police. President George W. Bush declared September 16 a national day to remember those who did not survive the storm. Congress rushed to approve $51.8 billion for more aid to the Gulf Coast.

Tales of loss were everywhere, but there were also many examples of generosity. Families took in strangers. Charity groups donated millions.

Kimberly Lowe signed up on the Internet to accommodate an evacuee to her spare bedroom in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. "They just probably want to talk to regular folks and be in a real home," Lowe said of the displaced people. "There's nothing like being home."

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