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DESCRIPTION: The community of Grand Bayou is one of the many places hit hard by Hurricane Katrina. Located in Lower Plaquemines Parish, Grand Bayou is a community of Native American shrimp fishers who lost both houses and boats after the storm. In addition, severe erosion has hurt the bayou itself, further affecting the community.

Numbering about 25 families, the community has struggled to rebuild, seeking aid from numerous sources, including the government, but has received little help. While the government response in New Orleans has been poor at best, areas like Lower Plaquemines Parish have been almost entirely ignored. The community has been forced to rebuild itself, with very little outside help. It is still struggling to do so.

With help from UUSC, the Grand Bayou community was able to fix three of their most damaged boats before the spring 2007 shrimping season began. Reconstructing their livelihoods will help the families of Grand Bayou rebuild their post-Katrina lives. No one in the community has been able to return home since the storm.