NEW ORLEANS TODAY IT'S WORSE THAN YOU THINK.

The article focuses on the ongoing Hurricane Katrina cleanup effort in New Orleans, Louisiana. The author describes how the atmosphere on Bourbon Street has become somewhat normal while the hurricane-ravaged housing subdivisions off Lake Pontchartrain are still disaster areas. Mayor Ray Nagin has opened New Orleans up to returning evacuees, but only an estimated 60,000 people are living in the city. Economic aspects of the hurricane damage and clean up effort are reviewed. The article includes comments on the clean up efforts from various New Orleans residents.