A small Mardis Gras parade in the Gentilly district of New Orleans, Feb. 25, 2006.
Gentilly
Neighborhood Description: Gentilly is a section of Orleans Parish bounded on the north by Lake Ponchartrain and to the south by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. The first residential section of this area, called "Gentilly Terraces," was built from earth piled onto swampland at the beginning of the 20th century. With improved drainage in later years, further development spread. The neighborhood, pre-Katrina, was racially mixed and predominantly middle class.
Damage After Katrina: Gentilly, like Mid-City, Lakeview and Old Metairie, saw major flooding after the breach of the 17th Street Canal.
State of Reconstruction: A small number of residents are determined to rebuild in Gentilly, and have returned to their homes or are living in FEMA trailers. In the aftermath of Katrina, flooding reached 8 feet in some areas and left the area uninhabitable for weeks. The residents face a daunting challenge in repopulating the hard-hit area.
