Tuesday, August 30, 2005
ALMOST MIRACULOUS
The French Quarter in New Orleans prides itself in its historic buildings--buildings, one would think, which had not been built to withstand Katrina's assault. Yet the Quarter not only survived, it came through the storm in better shape than other areas, due partially to the fact it has been built on the highest ground in the city.
In the courtyard behind the 278-year-old Cathedral St. Louis, two massive oaks toppled, their roots pulling up a 30-foot section of iron fence.
Carrie Hanselman marveled at how the branches straddled a marble statue of Jesus Christ but, miraculously, knocked off only the thumb and forefinger on its outstretched left hand.
"He was right in the middle of it," the 47-year-old pastry chef said. "Jesus and his mother were watching out for us. I had that candle burning all night."
Terry Ebbert, chief of homeland security for New Orleans, said the French Quarter appeared to survive Katrina better than any of the city's neighborhoods.
