The wind bellowed its rage at the frail humans in its midst. With it came the sea, which since the dawn of time, has insulted and murdered men. The earth yielded to the waters and the works of men intended to reinforce the earth quickly failed. Homes vanished, whole neighborhoods shattered, lives changed forever before the terrible onslaught.

This was the fury of Hurricane Katrina in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, witnessed by Tony Ragas. Not a storm chaser looking for a thrill. He is a native of the small town of Buras, in the direct path of Katrina's eye, and hurricanes are a part of his...