Hurricane Katrina - was a powerful and devastating tropical cyclone that caused 1,392 fatalities and damages estimated at $125 billion in late August 2005, particularly in the city of New Orleans and its surrounding area. It was also the fourth-most intense Atlantic hurricane to make landfall in the contiguous United States, gauged by barometric pressure.
The largest loss of life in Hurricane Katrina was due to flooding caused by engineering flaws in the flood protection system, particularly the levees around the city of New Orleans. 80% of the city, as well as large areas in neighboring parishes, were flooded for weeks. The flooding destroyed most of New Orleans's transportation and communication facilities, leaving tens of thousands of people who did or could not evacuate the city before landfall with little access to food, shelter, and other necessities. The disaster in New Orleans prompted a massive national and international response effort, including federal, local, and private rescue operations to evacuate those displaced from the city in the following weeks. After the storm, multiple investigations concluded that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which had designed and built the region's levees decades earlier, was responsible for the failure of the flood-control systems. However, federal courts later ruled that the Corps could not be held financially liable due to sovereign immunity in the Flood Control Act of 1928.
source: Wikipedia
Photobook

Katrina Aftermath
Hope, Longing and Prayer
On December 10, 2025, while sitting in my unremarkable work cubicle, I found myself absorbed in the latest news about Katrina. The images and stories of devastation struck a chord deep within me. In that moment, I knew I couldn’t just observe from a distance—I had to see it for myself. Without hesitation, I put everything on hold and set out on a journey with my childhood best friend to witness the aftermath firsthand.

St. Roch's Cemetery
Patron Saint of the sick and the invalid
St. Roch's Cemetery was initially established in 1874 by Rev. Peter Leonard Thevis (1837-1893), pastor of Holy Trinity Church to serve his predominately German congregation.

Katrina Watermark
branded by nature
After spending only a few hours immersed in the aftermath of Katrina, I couldn’t help but notice the haunting watermark that lingered everywhere. This series of images offers an abstract lens on the harrowing reality that followed Hurricane Katrina’s destruction.

Resiliance
"Let me off in New Orleans"
The people and communities surrounding New Orleans understand hurricane season, yet they remain in the bowl and ride out the storm. The resilience and creativity of this community inspire all who visit.
Gallery Examples



Watermark #1
30x40 on Masonite
Watermark #1
30x40 on Masonite
Watermark #3
30x40 on Masonite
About this project
Katrina Aftermath - While taking these photographs I felt guilty and voyeuristic as I walked through and over the remains of these communities. I would consider the image composition, take some shots , and then conveniently reenter my car. Later in the day I would go back to my comfortable accommodations and reflect. The people who had lived in these places I photographed no longer had that luxury and, in some cases, no longer even had the luxury of life.
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It doesn't take much effort for me to recall the first house that I stopped to photograph. Initially, it was almost completely overwhelming. I glanced past the shrine near the front door to look through the window frame and quickly turned as if I had seen an animal shot in the head. My friend wept instantaneously and at that point I realized how important photographing these images would be to me.
As a relatively successful person living in the Bay Area revisiting his home state, I needed to see and capture these images. I needed to capture these images to share with my family and friends. I needed to remind anyone who would listen to me that Katrina's aftermath is, and will remain, a stain in the carpet of our nation for many reasons.
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It's hard for me to elegantly sum up the feelings that drove me to visit New Orleans in December 2005. From the moment that I left DFW I could see things were going to be different than anything that I had originally considered. I could see it in the faces of the people waiting to fly to New Orleans. Most of them seemed to have a long, hollow kind of stare as if they had looked into the sun's blazing light for a few seconds too long. Their minds were clearly so far off in thought and worry that it was very troubling to fresh-eyed onlookers like myself. I knew that New Orleans would be different, but I had no idea how ever-present the emotional and physical scars would be.
I hope that you will take the time to consider a trip to New Orleans. This community, our muddy jewel in the South, the home of our first national art form - Jazz, this community still needs our help. Make a reservation and travel to New Orleans. Enjoy the music, food and Southern hospitality and do your best to give something back to New Orleans and its people. They would do the same for you if they could.
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Skip Roncal
2005
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I compiled this photobook and a series of museum prints to raise money for the non-profit Instruments A Comin'.
If you are interested in purchasing a print I will donate a percentage of the proceeds to your favorite New Orleans charity.
The caveat, the charity organization must be focused on supporting and fostering the community of New Orleans artists.