Let me start by saying I rewrote the headline about 5 times and I still don’t like it. Kevin wrote earlier today, New Orleans Avoids Total Destruction. That was sort of a reverse Mark Twain moment. Late news (midnight EDT) tells us a different tale.
Mayor Nagin sat down with WWL television and gave them a sobering report tonight. I’ve watched it twice and since it is about 30 minutes long, I’ll try to hit the highlights.
Let’s start with the biggie. 80% of the city is underwater – in some places it is 20 feet deep. People are spending the night on their roofs waiting to be rescued. (New Orleans proper has a population of about 500,000)
Both Airports are underwater.
An oil tanker is aground and leaking oil – 3 more “big boats” are aground.
MAJOR levee break on the 17th street canal flooding both NO and Metairie.
The Southern Yacht Club burned and is completely destroyed.
The High-rise bridge got hit by a barge and they don’t know if it is safe.
All of Slidell under water (population ~110,000)
Most of Metairie is under water. (population ~200,000)
About 50% of the “lower Northshore” (Mandeville etc) is under water (population ~150,000)
Gas leaks all over the city, many burning.
and one of the biggest…
The Twin Span bridges are completely destroyed.
as an added bonus they don’t know about the safety of the Causeway.
Basically the dooms days scenario was 20 feet of water across the whole city… Instead it looks like 5 feet of water (on avg) across 80% of the city. Not a whole lot of difference.
Go watch the video on http://www.wwltv.com/ this is all data given to Nagin from FEMA officials who had flown over the city.
Was “New Orleans Nearly Completely Destroyed” by Katrina? It was in my book.
As a native of New Orleans, it pains me to say this, but the City should not be rebuilt…I am also a geologist, and the scientific facts weigh so heavily against this location that it is just frightening. Yes, N.O. is a great port, but you know what?? The Mississippi River has been trying to change course to take a shorter route to the Gulf. Only heroic efforts by the Corps of Engineers have prevented the course change, and they won’t be able to do that forever. Even if re-built, N.O. will not be a great port for long. The River will change course. The combination of greater and more frequent storms (as a result of global warming) and the drowning of the La. shoreline doom this location even more. And more bad news…Have you read that Katrina blew away the main barrier island that was between N.O. and the Gulf.
It isn’t good logic to say that N.O. survived 350 years in this location, and will survive 350 more years after being re-built. The climate and the geology have changed. A rebuilt N.O. in the same location probably wouldn’t last 50 years.
We can argue all day about the reason for global warming, but there is no doubt it is happening. Whether you believe it is caused by human activity or not, there is no doubt that the ice caps are melting, and there has been a measurable rise in sea level. The geologic record shows this has happened many times in earth history…In fact, there were prolonged periods in earth history when there were NO polar ice caps at all, and sea level was 300 feet higher than today. Obviously, those warm periods were not caused by greenhouse gases as a result of human activity, but those events did happen (and quickly too!). Most earth scientists believe it is happening again.
New Orleans was a great city, and it can be great again. The people will keep the great music, food, and culture alive, no matter where it is rebuilt. My question is, what do we call it? New New Orleans?
New Orleans was my first USA destination when I moved to this country in 1994 from Venezuela. 4 years in Loyola were enough to make me proud of calling New Orleans, home. I love what I learned and lived. I suffer with the images and would like to go and volunteer.
IF you know how to, let me know and also if you know where I can find images of Loyola and Tulane and Audubon Park and the Zoo..I greatly appreciate it.
GRACIAS !
I watch tv and see a storm heading for land , not knowing what city lies in its path . Later that night i learn thats its heading for New orleans. The next day i see the aftermath of the storm i see people on top of roofs asking for help . There so lucky to be alive after seeing what went on there . Thinking well help should be there soon . Well another day goes by i still see people on top of roofs as hilicopters flying bye as these people asking for help . I,am thinking hang in there people, We won’t let you down .third day comes and i turn on the news and i still see people on top of roofs . I am sorta confused thinking wheres the help at,People screaming yelling for water and food please help us. I know just bye watching the news theres alot of people in distress, watching the news seeing people coming together to help them . But nothing has happen .Forth day i still see people crying and yelling for food and water , asking for help as the old and young die near their loved ones .Wow and i live in united states makes me wonder if my city has a bad disater will there be help for my family sooner than later
Is there any further update on the Metarie area? Specically around Alexander Drive? My in laws have a house there?
I don’t about the rest of you, but I find these song lyrics especialy poignant and hopeful. Can we *please* rebuild New Orleans and restore it to the glory it was?
http://www.asklyrics.com/display/Gambino_Family/New_Orleans_Threats_Lyrics/131772.htm