Lower Ninth Ward

Neighborhood Description: The Lower Ninth Ward is the largest of the 17 wards of New Orleans. The term "Lower" refers to its location farther toward the mouth of the Mississippi River. It was among the last of New Orleans' neighborhoods to be developed. Early residents included Irish, German, and Italian immigrants, but most of the recent pre-Katrina population were working-class African Americans.

Damage After Katrina: The Lower Ninth Ward was massively flooded and nearly destroyed afer a levee failure on the Industrial Canal, which separates the Lower and Upper Ninth Ward (more commonly called the Bywater). Many homes were quickly destroyed, nearly all were affected, and flooding reached 17 feet in some areas.

State of Reconstruction: Though electricity is available in some areas, other utilities, in particular sewer and water service, are slow in coming. Despite the devastation, FEMA trailers dot the neighborhood, and a small number of residents have returned to gut houses and begin rebuilding.