Neighbourhoods reopen as residents brave disease risk in New Orleans

SOME of New Orleans’ most popular neighbourhoods officially reopened to residents yesterday, a move that could bring back about a third of the city’s half a million inhabitants.

The newly-reopened areas, including the French Quarter and Garden District, all escaped major flooding when the city was devastated by Hurricane Katrina a month ago, before receiving a second blow from Hurricane Rita last week.

“This is my home. I will never leave New Orleans,” said Virginia Darmstadter, 75, who has lived in the Garden District since 1984.