In the immediate days after Hurricane Katrina, Ben Rongey’s father gave him a special pass which gave him full access to Jefferson Parish. At the time he was a high school senior and acted accordingly: he called his friend Wyatt Higgins so they could explore the city together.
They smooth-talked a National Guardsman, crossed into Orleans Parish, and headed for Wyatt’s house. Flood waters prevented them from driving into the Gentilly neighborhood, so they parked the car and walked the final trek.
Ben and Wyatt both graduated from Brother Martin High School in the spring of 2006. After respective stints in the Air Force and LSU, they each returned to New Orleans. This interview was recorded at StoryCorps’ mobile studio in New Orleans.
