Hurricanes Gustav and Ike delivered back-to-back blows to Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes, first by wind, then by water.

Before, during and after the storms, The Courier and Daily Comet served as a vital link to residents concerned about what was happening back home. It wasn’t easy. As Gustav headed their way, 11 members of the news team volunteered to stay behind, despite the risk to their own safety and concern some had for family members who had heeded mandatory evacuations and fled to safety far away. What you see here, in “Wind and Water,” is some of their best work, highlighted by pictures taken by Courier and Daily Comet staff photographers Emily Schwarze, Matt Stamey and Abby Tabor.