PRESS RELEASE:

Filmed over a year-long investigation into the New Orleans Police Department, FRONTLINE uncovers the stories behind the police officers who responded to the chaos of Hurricane Katrina and the charges they face today. The special program will air on KUED Wednesday, August 25 at 8:00 p.m., just before the fifth anniversary of one of the deadliest hurricanes in U.S. history

Although five years have passed since the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita, Louisiana's recovery is far from over. "Washing Away: After the Storms" tells the shocking personal stories of six storm survivors through the setbacks, successes and today's daily threats as they struggle to get life back on track. Emmy award-winning and Academy Award-nominee Patricia Clarkson, a native of New Orleans, narrates the film. "Washing Away: After the Storms" airs on KUED Sunday, August 29 at 9:30 p.m.

After losing many homes and jobs, residence of Louisiana now face devastating new threats as their culture and livelihood continues to be crippled by an eroding coastline, as many inland areas are below sea level. For many residents and business owners the story only gets worse as the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, the largest oil spill in the world, despoils Louisiana's fragile wetlands, coastline and waters.

Interviewed is long-time, generation shrimper Preston Doré. In a desperate place and looking for restitution, Doré is facing the fact that his business is slipping between his fingers as a result of the oil spill. Marlon Horton, who narrowly escaped Katrina's floodwaters by climbing onto his roof, is trying to restart his music career. Here their stories among others as the filmmakers explore the reality behind Louisiana.

"After Rita we started cleaning up and we started making repairs. And along came Ike and that put another four feet of water back in the place. I could only take so much. And now we got the oil spill," Doré said. "You just want to put your head down and I don't know - just give up. It's hard."

Associated files: