File this under "More stuff we thought had survived Katrina...."

But we were wrong.

Lesson learned: Oxidation is an ongoing process - not a one-time event.

The outdoor firebox didn't look too bad immediately following Katrina... As a matter of fact, I recall saying a little rust lended some charm. A lot of rust, however, makes the legs fall off and the bottom fall out. (Also featured in this photo - our backyard slowly returning to native swamp. Apparently, the sinking of our property is also an ongoing process....)

This is a rusty gear on the verge of snapping and falling on the ground. The rusty gear belongs to our backyard composter which also looked pretty good immediately following Katrina.

For the curious or the potentionally helpful - you should know that in the months following Katrina I did sand both of these items and then coat with a generous helping of Rust-o-leum.
Katrina's floodwater was much more corrosive than your average salt-water bath....

Also on the list but not featured here -- both double-french doors leading from our living room to the back porch have rusted shut and are slowly being eaten completely away from the bottom up.