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Hurricane Katrina: New Orleans marks 10 years since disaster | Hurricane Katrina: New Orleans marks 10 years since disaster |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Commemorations are taking place in the US city of New Orleans to mark the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. | Commemorations are taking place in the US city of New Orleans to mark the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. |
At a memorial service, Mayor Mitch Landrieu recalled how residents had turned to each other for support. | At a memorial service, Mayor Mitch Landrieu recalled how residents had turned to each other for support. |
Former President Bill Clinton is attending a concert in the city. | |
Hurricane Katrina killed nearly 2,000 people and displaced one million. It was the most expensive natural disaster in US history and caused destruction along the Gulf coast. | Hurricane Katrina killed nearly 2,000 people and displaced one million. It was the most expensive natural disaster in US history and caused destruction along the Gulf coast. |
In New Orleans, the failure of the levee system left about 80% of the city under water. | In New Orleans, the failure of the levee system left about 80% of the city under water. |
Mayor Landrieu led a sombre tribute to the 83 unidentified victims whose bodies lie in mausoleums at the city's Hurricane Katrina Memorial. | Mayor Landrieu led a sombre tribute to the 83 unidentified victims whose bodies lie in mausoleums at the city's Hurricane Katrina Memorial. |
"Though they are unnamed, they are not unclaimed because we claim them," he said. | "Though they are unnamed, they are not unclaimed because we claim them," he said. |
"We saved each other," the mayor added. "New Orleans will be unbowed and unbroken." | "We saved each other," the mayor added. "New Orleans will be unbowed and unbroken." |
Residents and community activists also gathered at the levee in the Lower Ninth Ward, where storm waters broke through and flooded the district. | Residents and community activists also gathered at the levee in the Lower Ninth Ward, where storm waters broke through and flooded the district. |
After speeches, a parade took place through the neighbourhood, with some participants in colourful Mardi Gras dress. | After speeches, a parade took place through the neighbourhood, with some participants in colourful Mardi Gras dress. |
"It is kind of bittersweet. We want to celebrate because we are still here, but a lot of people are not," said Lower Ninth Ward resident Natasha Green, 36. | "It is kind of bittersweet. We want to celebrate because we are still here, but a lot of people are not," said Lower Ninth Ward resident Natasha Green, 36. |
"It is important to remember what we went through here." | "It is important to remember what we went through here." |
Throughout the day, thousands were expected to take part in traditional musical parades through the city's streets. | |
Former President Clinton is now attending a free concert at the city's Smoothie King Center. | |
A hand-holding ceremony was also due to be held at the Superdome arena that housed thousands of displaced people after the storm. | |
President Barack Obama visited the Lower Ninth Ward on Thursday, praising "the extraordinary resilience of this city and its people". | President Barack Obama visited the Lower Ninth Ward on Thursday, praising "the extraordinary resilience of this city and its people". |
But although the city has largely recovered from the disaster, some - particularly from the African-American community - feel left behind. | But although the city has largely recovered from the disaster, some - particularly from the African-American community - feel left behind. |
Dwight McKenna, publisher of African-American newspaper the New Orleans Tribune, told the BBC that rebuilt public housing projects were now too expensive for many poor black people to move back to. | Dwight McKenna, publisher of African-American newspaper the New Orleans Tribune, told the BBC that rebuilt public housing projects were now too expensive for many poor black people to move back to. |
"The population of New Orleans... is 100,000 less black people than prior to Katrina. Black people have been left out of the recovery altogether," he said. | "The population of New Orleans... is 100,000 less black people than prior to Katrina. Black people have been left out of the recovery altogether," he said. |
On Friday, another former President, George W Bush, visited New Orleans. | On Friday, another former President, George W Bush, visited New Orleans. |
His administration was criticised at the time over its slow response and the issue remains a source of deep resentment in the city. | His administration was criticised at the time over its slow response and the issue remains a source of deep resentment in the city. |
In a speech, he said he would never forget the images of "misery and ruin". | In a speech, he said he would never forget the images of "misery and ruin". |
Neighbouring Mississippi was also marking the anniversary and on Saturday morning church bells rang out across coastal Hancock County. | Neighbouring Mississippi was also marking the anniversary and on Saturday morning church bells rang out across coastal Hancock County. |
In Biloxi, a memorial to Katrina's victims was held at a newly built Minor League Baseball park which will later host a concert. | In Biloxi, a memorial to Katrina's victims was held at a newly built Minor League Baseball park which will later host a concert. |