What was clear then, and has become even more evident in the time since, is that the Gulf Coast of the United Sates suffered extraordinary human and economic losses. The news reports have graphically displayed the tragic dislocations of millions of people, loss of life, and destruction of property.
As well, we have seen moving examples of the efforts directed toward the rescue of and care for the victims of the storms. More recently, the massive cleanup operations have gained  1/5  momentum, and it has been awesome to witness the determination of people beginning to rebuild their lives.