Thankfully for New Orleans, the punishing winds, as usual, seemed to jump to the right just before lashing onto this historic sacred ground known as the Big Easy, unfortunately dumping it's furry onto the lowlands of the bayous, waterways through to the beachfronts of the Mississippi Gulf Coast beaches. I drove highway 10 from Florida to New Orleans following Hurricane Andrew and can attest for the physical devastation!

Katrina introduced a frightful result that few had anticipated. A breach in the levee in Metairie, introduced a two foot gap through which Lake Pontchartrain continues to drain. This will inevitably flood the French Quarter, one of the nations true living museums. I shudder the think of the potential outcome and resulting loss to the nation.

If you have never been to New Orleans, you may have missed a chance to see this fascinating city. The French Quarter is like nowhere else I've ever been. As a photographer, I cherish my days spent there. I feel fortunate to have created my own tour of New Orleans' historic buildings (as I have in Toronto).

There is an old song that goes: "do you know what it means to miss New Orleans and think about her every day". This is certainly the case with me. I had the unique pleasure to reside in the French Quarter for a long while and developed some very special friendships there.

The potential loss of one of America's most precious jewels is sobering. My hope is that the breached levee is only the two foot wide gap reported and the Army Corp of Engineers can react quickly enough to plug it. Timing is obviously the issue.

The French Quarter houses some of the most impressive Antique businesses such as Manheim Galleries and M. S. Rau Antiques on Royal Street. Both operate out of historic quarters and both house inventories (massive) of some of the most rare and exotic antiques that you can fine. My thoughts go out to Ida Manheim and Billy Rau.

The floods spell out a frightful short term future for many, many of the Quata's residents (as they are fondly referred to by locals) many of whom frequently called "Yat's" (as in "where y'at). New Orleanians have a lingo all their own.

Over the years I've come to know a great deal about New Orleans. I've amassed a great deal on the history of New Orleans and produced a great deal of digital mapping, much like my interactive maps in Toronto and Florida. When I was in New Orleans, residential condos were just being introduced over in the CBD ("Central Business District").

It's "wait and see time" but I would like to reach out to everyone visiting my site (30,000 "Hits" Per Day!) to tune back in as the situation evolves to see how we all can pitch in and help this fantastic city in its time of need.

After 911 I traveled to Manhattan just to go there and support the people by simply visiting there. Let's look at mobilizing ourselves and being ready to just visit New Orleans as soon as she gets back on her feet. My heart goes out to all of the people of New Orleans.

Hopefully, there are better days ahead.

I'm Charles Hanes