New Year’s Tragedy Shadows New Orleans – Yet the ‘Big Easy’ Has Endured Hardships Before | US News
In many aspects, New Orleans continues to exude a festive atmosphere – a glimpse of certain areas reveals a New Year that mirrors those of the past.
Crowds have gathered for the Sugar Bowl college football game, hotels are fully booked, and bars and restaurants are bustling, catering to the holiday crowd.
Life in the “Big Easy” persists. However, the reality is starkly different – at the core of the city, the aftermath of tragedy lingers heavily.
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The iconic Bourbon Street, a must-visit spot, remains off-limits – quiet except for the hum of police generators, serving as a backdrop to an ongoing criminal investigation.
The renowned French Quarter, once the heart of New Year celebrations, now starkly contrasts celebration with the shocking reality, as hotels with holiday guests put sheets over windows to obscure the view of the scene below.
“Yesterday was all about celebration, everyone was in high spirits. Today feels surreal, everything has changed,” shared Jane Foster, visiting from Nashville, Tennessee, with Sky News.
The truck involved in the incident. Pic via NBC News
She had come to New Orleans to cheer on the Georgia Bulldogs during the Sugar Bowl against Notre-Dame. While the mood isn’t exactly celebratory, there exists a sense of defiance and determination in a city accustomed to overcoming hardships.
“New Orleans will come back stronger than ever,” Ms. Foster stated. “This city is resilient and built to recover from disasters.”
“Even prior to Hurricane Katrina, think of their history with all the fires. It’s a robust southern town, a supportive community that won’t easily be swayed.”
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Brad Daugherty came from Atlanta, Georgia, specifically for the football game.
He stated, “As long as there are people this deranged, there’s little we can do,” he told Sky News.
“This situation is nobody’s fault but his. We won’t allow them to win, that’s their intention. We are not leaving.”
The spirit of New Year in New Orleans endures – a resilience in a city that has faced suffering and mourns its losses. They will persevere, without a doubt, but it won’t be easy.
