We don’t stare at old maps of snowstorms or minor floods. But this one has sticking power. It’s because the story isn’t over—New Orleans is still rebuilding its physical and emotional levees.
Every time you look at the map of Katrina, you’re looking at a warning and a miracle of survival. It’s a reminder that cities are just homes stacked together, and water doesn’t care about your plans.
So next time you pull up a map online, think about the invisible one: the one that shows where the water wanted to be. It’s a little creepy, a little sad, but totally fascinating. Would you know where to run if your street turned into a map?
