The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina

[Olivia77]

Assuming New Orleans will be rebuilt, when do you think it will be inhabitable again? 16 weeks, a year, longer?

My personal guess is a year, of course that is based on the fact that I know zero about what's involved in rebuilding a city. I'm curious at to when you all think that it will be back in business.

That leads me to how? Pretty much all homes are flooded, does this mean that they are ruined forever? Or can water be pumped out? I'm so unfamiliar with how it works. If anyone can share, I would appreciate it.

 

[concernedperson]

Assuming New Orleans will be rebuilt, when do you think it will be inhabitable again? 16 weeks, a year, longer?

My personal guess is a year, of course that is based on the fact that I know zero about what's involved in rebuilding a city. I'm curious at to when you all think that it will be back in business.

That leads me to how? Pretty much all homes are flooded, does this mean that they are ruined forever? Or can water be pumped out? I'm so unfamiliar with how it works. If anyone can share, I would appreciate it.

Standing water is doom even if you aren't in a high humidity area. Mold will be most formidable and mold in these quantities are toxic. These homes will have to be bulldozed and then you have to evaulate whether it should be rebuilt.

 

[TisHerself]

Oh OK Got Ya!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Gabby]

I always wanted to live in Texas. This gives me even more reason to want to! God Bless Texas.

Daisy I would not want to live anywhere else... we show people what the term "Southern Hospitality" is all about.....

 

[Gabby]

While this is an entirely different scenario, lots of Southern Cities had to rebuild completely after Sherman's Army came through in the South during the Civil War... New Orleans will rebuild, mark my words....and they will be back before you realise it...

 

[Casshew]

Just a guess but 3 months to repair the levees... 3-6 months to pump out the standing water. One year ++ to strengthen the levees to with stand another cat 5 hurricane.

3-5 years access to bulldoze & remove entire city blocks & repair & rebuild schools, hospitals, & all other buildings effected

Then there is the matter of disease & chemical treatment & revamping the sewage treatment centre and fresh water source to the city.

This is assuming they actually rebuild.

 

[kgeaux]

This may be incredibly naive on my part, but don't you think that surely now the levee system and pumps will be improved/replaced? I can't imagine bothering to rebuild if those flood preventions aren't in place.

I think the levees will be brought up to a standard to withstand a 5 strength hurricane. In the midst of all of this tragedy, there has been something kinda miraculous take place: MOST of the levees held. The percentage of failure was very small. Had those levees had catastrophic failure, we'd be counting the dead in the tens of thousands. The water would have risen so fast.

 

[lostfaith]

This one is cute, it might be something the kids can help with:

It's called "we've got your back" , they are organizing backpacks filled with school supplies for displaced children.

We've got your back

I'm going to do this one! I have 3 boys, I have always oogled the barbie and Disney princesses stuff, including backpacks and school supplies. I am going to pack up a real girly one!! This will be fun!

Thanks for posting this one Birdie!

 

[bulletgirl2002]

Gabby, I wanted you to know that a friend of mine who transports emergency generators for FEMA is in Hattisburg, MS. He called today and said that it was a mess. He, of course, cannot find a hotel and is sleeping on a blowup matress at a Bell South office. They are providing him with food too. He is washing his clothes out in a sink there and letting them dry on a rail. He says it is unbelievable and no one could have possibly gotten through initially. The exit ramps on the interstate had even been displaced, the storm and storm surge was so violent. His co worker is north of NO. I dont know what is happening with him. He feels that he has it pretty good though with shelter and hot food. He doesn't expect to be back home for over a month. He is working 7 days a week as long as he can as are many.

 

[bulletgirl2002]

I saw that on the news...so sweet and beautiful.

 

[Gabby]

My friends had a generator, and have had water and food.. they are cooking on propane camp stoves, but now they have running water.. they were hauling water from a pond to flush toilets... their yard was a mess with uprooted trees, but they didn't suffer any major damage where they were. Having been from around there they knew what to do before Katrina hit. Boardedup the windows, had supplies and had gas stored for the generators. I heard from him a few days after all this ...strangely enough his satellite internet was not affected...so with a generator he was sending updates on the family... I thank God they are all ok..

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

Just bumping up, as I'm surprised no one posted about the telephone call with General H. on Fox this morning. I thought what he said was quite good. He tried to explain, not defend, why there were so many tactical problems at the local level at the beginning. Basically saying, if ya aren't there, you have no idea the obstacles emergency workers were facing. He may have own feelings as far as why it was/is such a mess, but said now is not the time to spend the energy on that. Bravo. Just go get 'er done, General!

 

[concernedperson]

Heard on the radio... Apparently General Honore put out orders to shoot any alligator that gets in the way of rescuers. Some reporter pointed out that the alligators are on the endangered list. The general said if the alligators get between his men and their jobs they aren't endangered, they're dead!

One of my favorite quotes of all time.

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

One of my favorite quotes of all time.

I hadn't heard it until I read it here, and I love it!

 

[bulletgirl2002]

Just bumping up, as I'm surprised no one posted about the telephone call with General H. on Fox this morning. I thought what he said was quite good. He tried to explain, not defend, why there were so many tactical problems at the local level at the beginning. Basically saying, if ya aren't there, you have no idea the obstacles emergency workers were facing. He may have own feelings as far as why it was/is such a mess, but said now is not the time to spend the energy on that. Bravo. Just go get 'er done, General!

They had to chain saw their way in from what I understand from people who are going down there and even the roads have been displaced from the violence of the storm.

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

How do you think the media is doing covering this disaster?


Just wondering what you think....


I find myself riveted to this (way too much time watching it, neglecting the housework, LOL)...and liking the ability to see live shots on TV of what's going on there. Hope MS and AL aren't forgotten in all of this, although the more dire events seemed to unfold in N.O. Many of the interviews are interesting!!! I am sick (already) of the political posturing going on, on BOTH sides. Neither side of the political spectrum is free from criticism on this mess, and I hope most people realize that and can admit it. Sorry, it's quite obvious, IMO.

Also, I do not necessarily believe everything I see, read or hear. We have to realize that these are just snippets being communicated, and facts are not always fully known right after they happen. I will be interested in reading/researching/reviewing much of this ordeal in the next months and years. More will unfold....

Geraldo's coverage of his rescue of the lady with the dog, fascinating, and she was just a cutie on the phone prior to the rescue, and then seeing her afterwards. But did y'all notice the police officer leading her 15 year old dog, Dusty, on the leash, and then was literally dragging him when Dusty dropped to the ground...and the officer wasn't looking back and had no idea! I wanted to scream out to him to tell him to look at the poor doggie! And of course, then the cameraman cut off the tape....

 

[lostfaith]

I, too, have been glued to the t.v. when able too. I do get frustrated sometimes when the reporters are standing there saying "they have no transportation to leave, have not ate in days, no water" I want to yell at the t.v. and say "well, how did YOU get there, why dont YOU drive them out of there, YOU must have ate today, YOU must have water in your van, GIVE them some, DRIVE them out of there!" I know there are soooooooooooooo many people that the reporters could not possibly put a dent in the troubles these people are experiencing, but I think I would, one person at a time!

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

Okay, just saw tonight's interview, Geraldo and Gen. Honore.

Where do I vote for him for some political office? I like him. Wait, he may be too good for political office!

ETA: I mean the General, not Geraldo

 

[Linda7NJ]

Geraldo saved a 76 yr old woman and her little 16 yr old dog today, of course he MILKED it for all it was worth....but at least he wasn't stuffing a mic in someones face asking them how they feel.


All in all, I would have to admit they are all doing a terrific job!

 

[Share-in]

We have friends in Biloxi. I have heard that they are fine, but without power for another two weeks. There is a leak in their roof, also.

BUT, some cousins and uncles have lost everything...hopuse, car, belongings, etc. So, as of today, they have 17 people living in their home. They all are using their neighbors swimming pool as their bathtub!