A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster

The chapter opens with a first-person description of one woman’s experience hiding in her closet as Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. She waited to be rescued on the roof of her house, watching the destruction around her until a boat came by and rescued her. Another story from 24-year-old Cory Delaney tells of being stranded on the roof with his family, being rescued by a boat, and then making his way slowly to the interstate. Along the way, cops threatened them with guns.

Many survivors of Katrina faced guns, and elite panic was rampant as victims of the hurricane were viewed as criminals largely because of racism and contempt for the poor, who were the main victims of Katrina. Many were even prevented from evacuating. Thousands of victims took shelter in the Superdome, a large sports arena, which was inadequately stocked with food and water. It was hot, overcrowded, and unsanitary, and people were not allowed to leave because of the elites’ fears of an unruly mob forming. Vicious rumors circulated on national television about rampant murder, rape, and theft inside. Eventually the national guard and police forces were called in to quell the rumored violence at the Superdome. Inside, people in fact were helping each other.