Hurricane Katrina

The numbers will begin to surface within the next 24 hours and there will be thousands of lost lives in those figures.

With all the knowledge we have nowadays and the experience of Katrina and other Hurricanes... Why constructing NO again - there - ? Isn´t it better for people´s safety to leave and start somewhere else, where the land is above sea level?
Of course, it is supposed that no other Hurricane cat. 4 or 5 should hit NO again for many years... but, who knows? It can happen again in say 30 or 50 years... Maybe we won´t see it, but others will suffer it.

Superdome refugees will be moved to the Houston Astrodome per FOX

I will repost what I tried to post last night when my internet connection went out again............

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WOW!!!! I just got power back and my internet up. I was hoping to get on ATS sooner and post about Katrina.

To start, I was amazed out how powerful Katrina was a Cat 1 storm. I am in Coconut Grove and there were large trees down everywhere. I couldn't help but be thankful that Miami got lucky once again. Had Katrina been larger than a tropical storm when it hit the Bahamas, Miami could have been hit again by an enormous storm.

As Katrina continued moving into the Gulf, radio stations were stating the sentiments and fear that this storm would grow and again strike Florida. After the path started tracking towards New Orleans, we could only listen for updates, and start praying. Most people are aware that Louisiana is the state that is the least capable of surviving a large Cat 3+ storm. A major series of cities, at, and below sealevel.

As I watched the news late tonight, I can't help but pray for these people that are suffering and dying in many cities in multiple states. I hope those of you that do pray are doing so with me, often.

Originally posted by worldwatcher
Superdome refugees will be moved to the Houston Astrodome per FOX

You have got to be kidding me? This is not a solution.

Early yesterday I metioned that conditions would worsen as more water flowed from all the tributariies
adding to the flooding.

Looking at the photos I've seen and hearing all these new reports make me wish that I was wrong

If you just got power back, and haven't seen other news, New Orleans is basically nearly completely flooded (and rising), and in total chaos....

WW, some confirmation now from CNN about the Astrodome:

An emergency management official in Houston, Texas, said plans are in the works to take at least 25,000 refugees -- mostly from the Superdome -- and shelter them in the Astrodome.

Looks really really bad for NO.

www.nytimes.com...

The mayor of New Orleans, Ray Nagin, told reporters late on Tuesday that it would be three to four months before residents would be able to return to their homes

Originally posted by Relentless
You have got to be kidding me? This is not a solution.

It certainly is not a long-term solution, but it will work for the short-term...

They're being evacuated to someplace that has an operational sewage system, air-conditioning, and a safer environment in respects to security and weather...

I'm sure these people are feeling a bit like cattle by now though....And god only knows how many mechanical/strategically problems one could encounter with near 500 buses filled to capacity hitting the roads...

glad your okay infinite8 wow...I heard that many were still without power down here, I believe there's still a few thousands in Broward without power too, if it took that long to get you in Coconut Grove back online, I can't begin to imagine how long it will take NO to get back on the grid. I was out of power for about 48 hours and I am near high priority locations like senior living facilities, fire station, police station and city hall.

The devastation in the Gulf totally overshadows what South Florida experienced with Katrina, we had 9 deaths and I was felt that number was high, we really really got lucky and spared...and if I only hear any more South Floridians complain about not getting enough warning, I will personally knock them upside their heads.

They're reporting 3 levee breaks now.. one of them is over 2 blocks long

The engineers don't know how to stop/plug them.. They've tried sand bags but they're not working. They discussed moving a barge into the canal to slow the flow..

The also talked about that big oil rig that ran into the bridge.. it was carried 66 miles by the hurricane!

Some were complaining about not enough warning???

We can't help it if they aren't aware of their surroundings....hell any news channel within days of it hitting South FL pretty much warned everyone. Bottom line, if you're IN or NEAR the projected cone, be prepared and have your plans in place. If you don't, nobody to blame but yourself.

Gaz, you wouldn't believe some of the people here, they didn't think a Tropical storm borderline Cat 1 would be anything more than "bit of rain and wind". Makes me want to just get violent Tropical Depression 12/tropical storm Katrina was well covered in the local news, but people didn't take it seriously, just like how some didn't take a cat 5 Katrina seriously, no one there to blame but themselves.

and now for updates:

www.wwltv.com...
10:58 A.M. - (AP) The New Orleans International Airport has reopened to allow humanitarian flights in and out, officials said Wednesday.

10:55 A.M. - (AP) The Dallas school district says it'll enroll in district schools the children of any Hurricane Katrina refugees that ask for it.

10:52 A.M. - (AP) Every branch of the U.S. military is involved in the rescue-and-relief mission following Hurricane Katrina. The U.S. Northern Command is coordinating search and rescue, medical help and supplies. The work will support the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

10:14 A.M. - WWL-TV: Governor Blanco confirms plans to move evacuees to the Houston Astrodome. Blanco said she remains in contact with the White House, and has asked for a military presence in New Orleans, adding it was important to stabilize things as soon as possible. Buses are on their way to the Superdome to remove the evacuees.

10:06 A.M. - WWL-TV: Gas prices expected to rise by as much as $1.10 by this weekend.

10:00 A.M. - State Insurance Commissioner Robert Wooley: People interested in checking up on their insurance can contact the Dept. of Insurance at 1-800-259-5300 or online at LDI.state.la.us. Nationwide damage estimates stand at $26 billion, and $17 to $19 billion in Louisiana alone.

[edit on 8-31-2005 by worldwatcher]

Levee break...

Just had an official from jefferson parish, said they're now getting the flooding from east bank now, efforts to stop it have failed and retreating to safer zones, also no food or water. Noone can get out because roads are blocked. This is Mizars neighbourhood right? Hope he's got plenty of supplies.

Why isn't the military in there? On CNN there were talking about the hospitals in New Orleans being looted, and having no electricity and running low on water - how doctors and nurses have locked themselves into the hospitals - one nurse stepped outside and was robbed at gunpoint - people are trying to loot, probably for drugs and such...

WHERE IS THE MILITARY???

How much more crazy does it have to get before someone decides they are in charge and ready to make DECISIONS that need to be made.

I know it's easy to be an 'arm chair general' and spout about what should and shouldn't be done when I'm not there in the midst of it - but bloody hell - someone do something about the looting and criminal activity - people running around with firearms terrorizing people - anarchy for lack of a better word.

~A

Originally posted by QuietSoul
Levee break...

Led Zeppelin: When The Levee Breaks (excerpt)

"If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break, [x2]
When The Levee Breaks I'll have no place to stay

[---]

Cryin' won't help you, prayin' won't do you no good,
Now, cryin' won't help you, prayin' won't do you no good,
When the levee breaks, mama, you got to move."

Originally posted by Fakin Bacon
Why isn't the military in there? On CNN there were talking about the hospitals in New Orleans being looted, and having no electricity and running low on water - how doctors and nurses have locked themselves into the hospitals - one nurse stepped outside and was robbed at gunpoint - people are trying to loot, probably for drugs and such...

WHERE IS THE MILITARY???

How much more crazy does it have to get before someone decides they are in charge and ready to make DECISIONS that need to be made.

I know it's easy to be an 'arm chair general' and spout about what should and shouldn't be done when I'm not there in the midst of it - but bloody hell - someone do something about the looting and criminal activity - people running around with firearms terrorizing people - anarchy for lack of a better word.

~A

Chill out Man...I understand your emotion, but use your logic....The military is already there. Today I saw a flight of 6-8 Blackhawks heading SW from Atlanta. Remember that the destruction is not limited to only NO...this is half of the Gulf coasts. Alabama and Mississippi were hit even worse that NO. This will not be a quick fix....this is going to take a long long time.


In related Atlanta is running out of gas. Prices have gone from $2.24/ gal of reg to $3.00+. Prices expected to hit $4-5/gal by the weekend. Stations are running out of gas.

[edit on 31-8-2005 by Imperium Americana]

Originally posted by valkeryie
The mayor of New Orleans, Ray Nagin, told reporters late on Tuesday that it would be three to four months before residents would be able to return to their homes

Return to what? Everything is ruined. After this much time sitting in water I'm guessing all the homes in New Orleans will be condemed because of water damage. Biggest problem though that has been overlooked by most will be massive mold problems that will require the homes to be destroyed. Who knows when New Orleans will resume operation. How long will it take to rebuild every house in town? How long will it take to haul out that much debris?

It's not so much general looting I'm concerned about, but the fact that stores selling firearms and ammunition have been broken into and that "armed gangs" are roaming the city, threatening people and shooting away...this is what alarms me. If armed criminals are shooting/threatening people for financial gain, and hospitals are having to lock and secure their doors against as of yet uncontrolled violence and street anarchy, then something has to be done, and soon.

This is why, if the military is there, then a section needs to be assigned to deal with the problem at hand in the quickest most efficient way possible. Judicial expediency at its finest - one shot and move on.

~A