Rebuilding Together: A Photo Essay of the Grassroots Response to the 2022 New Orleans Tornado
On March 22, 2022 a tornado tore through the Arabi neighborhood of New Orleans. Within a few minutes dozens of homes were completely destroyed along the two mile path of destruction of the EF3 tornado.
Communities in New Orleans know that official natural disaster relief can be slow and unreliable. Within hours of the tornado a grassroots effort of volunteers and local organizations sprang into action to help their neighbors impacted by the tragedy. This photo essay shows the grassroots organizations and volunteers who quickly mobilized to assess the damage and get people immediate help. Some of the organizations featured are Together NoLa, Imagine Water Works, the Cajun Navy and faith groups.
It was inspiring to witness so many people jump into action and help each other out. This level of love and care is what we need to build resilience and strength for the disasters of tomorrow.
The Cajun Navy is a grassroots emergency response organization that helps people impacted by natural disasters in America. In this photo a Cajun Navy volunteer is standing on the roof of a house damaged by the New Orleans tornado.
The tornado completely destroyed this home and many others. Only the foundation and a fridge still stands. The family's personal belongings are scattered about the area including this broken Christmas ornament.
A child's bedsheet among the rubble from the tornado.
The day after the tornado Imagine Water Works organized a fundraiser for the Arabi neighborhood including free meals from Southern's Chicken.
Free supplies for the Arabi neighborhood distributed at the fundraiser.
Déja Jones, a lead organizer with Imagine Water Works, gives out supplies to Arabi neighbors.
Together New Orleans quickly mobilized volunteers and community groups to assess the damage and get people help. Here LaKenya Roberson directs volunteers in the response.
Solar power charging stations were set up for the Arabi neighborhood. The whole area lost power for several days after the tornado.
LaKenya Roberson was one of the lead organizers with Together NoLa who mobilized volunteers, faith groups, mutual aid groups and other community groups to respond to the disaster.
Cajun Navy team members pass each other supplies to repair the roof of a home damaged by the tornado. The home was damaged when a boat flew into the side of the house.
The Cajun Navy team repairing the roof of a damaged house. The impact of the tornado's path of destruction is visible in the distance.
Volunteers with Celebration Church distribute supplies.
Faith groups and mutual aid organizations distributed massive amounts of supplies to the Arabi neighborhood. Here volunteers with Celebration Church help unload a pallet of supplies for distribution.
Volunteers chat and laugh as they distribute food. Household of Faith Family Worship Church members were distributing hot meals to people in the neighborhood.