Hurricane Katrina Disaster Updates

[T'sNana]

That's sad! I guess it was a no-win situation.

 

[Casshew]

Which brings me to another question: Do the countries we donated to for the Tsunami give back to us? Or any countries at all - Europe, Austrialia, etc? Canada? Or is that just a United States thing? Just curious.

Hi Martha, I don't know the answer to that question... I know individuals send contributions for relief, but I am not certain about official donations from foreign governments.

 

[Marthatex]

One of the most amazing things I saw on TV was the pictures of I-10; it is completely split at intervals for as far as you can see; split in two like the earthquake broke up the road years ago in California. No one can even get to Houston if they wanted to go. Wow, how much we take for granted in the way of our infrastructure.

 

[Shadow205]

Just on CNN, they are ending all efforts to shore up the broken levees......expect another 15 feet of water to come in to the city.

Cinflicting stories once again. As you posted this, Fox had some General on interviewing him about what was being done to try and stop the flow of water from the levey. He said they are bringing in the large bariers like they use on interstates,dropping them and then huge sand bags. I wonder, are they or not?

 

[T'sNana]

One of the most amazing things I saw on TV was the pictures of I-10; it is completely split at intervals for as far as you can see; split in two like the earthquake broke up the road years ago in California. No one can even get to Houston if they wanted to go. Wow, how much we take for granted in the way of our infrastructure.

I saw that....how terrible!! It looked like some Lego's that were built and then destroyed.

 

[T'sNana]

The Red Cross, US Coast Guard, National Guard, individual volunteers and the victims of Katrina. We made our donation to the Red Cross and my husband's company is sending cases of bottled water.

 

[Dark Knight]

CP, you're right, no one listened. Just look at the party atmosphere on Bourbon Street early this morning. Just get that drink and join the party. When they sobered up they were in over a foot of water. "Where did that wet come from?"

They've been in denial forever, and like you said, even this morning it was all about drinking and partying. I think God gave them a warning last year when they were almost hit by one of the big hurricanes (Ivan, I think), but were spared. They could have been preparing for the past year for this, but it doesn't sound like they did. Just went back to partying, rather than learning from that near miss.

 

[concernedperson]

The lump is gone there is nothing but giant tears flowing.I am so glad so many of you recognize the total disaster and from that knowledge we can pull together and move forward. The looting is secondary to the whole lost that is at hand. Despicable as it is the survival mode is enacted.I just don't know where this will end.....but I am pretty sure it isn't going to be pretty.

I was so glad that the storm was just east but I always knew and some of you will note my almost hysterical posts. I had started to panic and I felt so impotent to express it, logically of course. I was afraid that what is happening would happen. I didn't want to be right, I just wanted us all to pray. So, now we are looking at the worst natural disaster to ever hit the United States. In the days ahead we will get a grip and figure out the best way to aid these people and open our hearts and to get them kick started on a new life.

 

[Buzz Mills]

New Orleans Flooding May Last for Days

New Orleans is apt to stay awash for days under oily, filthy water infested with mosquitoes, even if failed levees can be fixed quickly, according to experts assessing the flooding left by Hurricane Katrina.

An initial sense of relief that the city escaped the storm's worst dissolved Tuesday, as an estimated 80 percent of the 180-square-mile city gradually turned into an urban swamp.

"While everyone knew this could happen, I don't think anyone was really prepared for it," said oceanographer Paul Kemp, at Louisiana State University's Hurricane Center. "There are some disasters beyond comprehension, and I think this is one of them."

Murky water, laced with junk and pollutants, coursed through the city, including many downtown streets. Residents and rescuers came across floating bodies, though the city's death toll was still unknown late Tuesday.

Flooding specialists predicted that conditions could worsen as authorities focused first on saving people trapped in buildings.

Some flood-control pumps were broken, choked by excess water or storm debris. Others were lacking power needed to run. Roofs were reported collapsed on at least two major pumping stations. Without the pumps, much of the flood water will have nowhere to drain in this city cradled within a bowl, at an average of six feet below sea level.

In a frustrating catch-22, it will be hard to fix the pumps and restore their power while they are under water, but it's hard to drain the water without the pumps, the flood experts warned.

"It's going to be days before they get all that water out," said marine scientist Ivor van Heerden, also of LSU, who developed flooding models for the city. He was out with a boat inspecting water levels Tuesday.

When the hurricane's eye veered away from the city Monday morning, the fiercest winds and storm surge bashed into the coast east of New Orleans. Though some neighborhoods flooded, most of the city was spared severe flooding in the immediate aftermath. By early Tuesday, however, waters were creeping into large parts of the mostly evacuated city, which is normally home to about 484,000 people.

This flood water apparently came from at least two levee breaks — at the Industrial Canal and the 17th Street Canal, according to the LSU specialists.

Helicopters were dumping 3,000-pound sandbags onto the levees, beginning the task of trying to plug them.

The experts warned of potential dangers ahead. Louisiana's frequent summer rains — or even another hurricane — could add to flooding in coming days or weeks, they said. The sitting water could collect more contaminants from homes and industries, and mosquitoes could amplify the danger of disease.

"Because it doesn't drain, there's a chance for things to concentrate," said Marc Levitan, another flooding expert at LSU.

 

[Buzz Mills]

Just on CNN, they are ending all efforts to shore up the broken levees......expect another 15 feet of water to come in to the city.

That place is going to be like one giant cesspool. Disease City. What a nghtmare.

an estimated 80 percent of the 180-square-mile city gradually turned into an urban swamp.

 

[T'sNana]

That place is going to be like one giant cesspool. Disease City. What a nghtmare.

an estimated 80 percent of the 180-square-mile city gradually turned into an urban swamp.

I cannot imagine how these people feel. They've lost their homes, some have lost their lives or the lives of their loved ones, their jobs, etc. I just cannot imagine how they feel.

 

[Miss Daisey]

They've been in denial forever, and like you said, even this morning it was all about drinking and partying. I think God gave them a warning last year when they were almost hit by one of the big hurricanes (Ivan, I think), but were spared. They could have been preparing for the past year for this, but it doesn't sound like they did. Just went back to partying, rather than learning from that near miss.

DK, I don't think that's very sympathic to say that right now.

The levees were built 30yrs ago in preparation for a Cat 3 storm. That was then. This is now. To imply they had it coming doesn't sound right to me, IMO

 

[Buzz Mills]

I cannot imagine how these people feel. They've lost their homes, some have lost their lives or the lives of their loved ones, their jobs, etc. I just cannot imagine how they feel.

This is going to be a nightmare for a very long time. Such destruction of homes, bridges, all of the infrastructure. Very large areas are uninhabitable. So many people have nothing to go back to, except an empty lot, no electricty, water, or any services of any kind.

 

[amandab]

A morbid thought occurred to me just now....and while I apologize for bring gross, I have to ask.....

In a few days, they will need dental records to identify some of the victims who get pulled from the water.

What do they do if the dentist's office was obliterated, too?

I'm not trying to be sarcastic or tactless, I really wondered this.....

 

[Shadow205]

On Fox now, a spokesman with the LA Corp of Engineers just said that under ideal conditions (no additional rain) and if they can get all of the pumps up and running, they can pump out about 1ft. of water per day. In some areas, there is 20ft. of water. Standing, sewer filled water for 20 days in 95 degrees...OMG, I hate to think about the diseases that could spread in that time.

 

[Casshew]

What do they do if the dentist's office was obliterated, too?

I'm not trying to be sarcastic or tactless, I really wondered this.....

They will do what they did with 9/11 victims where they didn't even have full bodies. They will take DNA samples and compare to family relatives searching for loved ones.

 

[concernedperson]

I cannot imagine how these people feel. They've lost their homes, some have lost their lives or the lives of their loved ones, their jobs, etc. I just cannot imagine how they feel.

They feel empty and are shell shocked. It is survival mode. It is without precedence for that area. We can even see this from the Governor, that is why I suggested other military forces intervene. Too much for the locals, not enough strength to overcome these obstacles. Need harder barriers and harder decision makers....it is what it is. But someone has to take charge. We haven't even heard from the mayor of NO since yesterday.Has he had a nervous breakdown or what?

 

[amandab]

They will do what they did with 9/11 victims where they didn't even have full bodies. They will take DNA samples and compare to family relatives searching for loved ones.

Thanks Cass - I had completely forgotten about that. Makes me feel better that there won't be a glut of unclaimed, unidentified bodies...

 

[Ntegrity]

New Orleans Flooding May Last for Days

I think it's optimistic to think this will only last for DAYS. I suspect it will be WEEKS.

 

[Shadow205]

These people do not seem to realize how dangerous the water is. They are just splashing through it. Do you think they don't know how contaminated it is? If they have even a small cut or scrape on their body it is going to get into it. If they touch their mouth with their wet hand they could get sick.