As if Hurricane Katrina wasn't enough to devastate this beautiful city, the state of Louisiana is gearing up to face an equally deadly menace: looting. Tired of waiting for food and supplies, desperate people have begun breaking through stores, grabbing food, water and anything else they can find.

Scarier still, according to New Orleans' Homeland Security Chief Terry Ebbert, looters have been stealing guns. Gangs of armed men are now moving around the city, and a police officer has reportedly been shot.

Also read: Explosions blur New Orleans skyline
In the picture: Don Taylor uses a sword to keep looters away from the pawn shop he was hired to guard after it was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

Text: Preetee Brahmbhatt

Photograph: Joe Raedle/Getty Images