When anarchy reignsJude Falgoat is armed and prepared to shoot the dangerous.
"It they want trouble, they'll get it," the 19-year-old said of looters and criminals who are making their way out of New Orleans.
People in this community 74 km southwest of the Big Easy are concerned about all the talk of lawlessness, murders, police shootings and suicides.
"I have been to many of my friend's houses and they have their guns locked and loaded in their living rooms," he said.
LOOKING OUT FOR NO. 1
He said the locals are hoping anarchy won't reach their area but they will protect their property should someone want to take it.
In his case he's got several shotguns, including a .270 semi-automatic Winchester with a scope.
"I can't wait until I am 21 so I can get a pistol," he said.
Meanwhile, Gisele Gray walked for two days to get out of the horror that has created nightmarish memories she will never forget. It was either that or stay with the rising water and floating bodies.
"I seen a child about two years old fall out of a window and drown," she said, fighting tears.
Gray said it was the toughest thing she's ever faced in her 47 years. With the looting and violence it was mayhem.
"We saw everything. They broke into stores and were taking gas and I saw a gas station on fire," she said. For her safety, "one night we slept out behind a dumpster."
The walk out was also treacherous. "The water was up to my chest," said Gray. "We had to walk in it to the 90 west highway. It was burning my skin."
And the sights of bodies and devastation was hard to witness.
'HE SAVED LIVES'
"My brother threw down three ice coolers in the water so that people could float on them," she said. "He left the tops open and people put three babies into them and pushed them along. He saved lives."
Although the media has talked a lot of some of the bad people in this crisis, Vivian Lupe said there are a lot of good stories, too. "People want to help," she said.
In her case, she is feeding people who come into her store and providing free ice for anybody who needs it.
As thousands of people were trying to get out of New Orleans, there was a giant traffic jam on the highway going in -- with people being permitted to check out their property in Jefferson Parish.
In the lower gulf coast area of Grand Isle, families have gone back into find their homes either levelled or severely damaged. Mike Grimmer, his wife Janet and daughter Samantha found not much left of their belongings but were philosophical about it.
"We are lucky, it's a lot worse in New Orleans."
http://ottsun.canoe.ca/News/National/2005/09/06/1203576-sun.html.
