Hurricane Katrina packs winds (175mph)

True it is not the worst in world history at all.. However note the whole city of New Orleans is going to be abandoned for quite a while. When in modern times in the US did a whole city have to shut down totally???

Plus oil has hit ridiculous amounts around. 1.19 Cents Canadian which is way more expensive then the US. So this will impact us all.

Interesting this was the first time the news made the story less serious then it actually was. Right after it they said it was no to bad. Then Tuesday morning they say it was an epic disaster.

Well if you want to know the current death toll it is 146. New Orleans is still under water so it will take a lot of time before we know what happens.
Also it is very sad how many people die indirectly from storms by doing very stupid things. Such as looting, shooting, suicide trying to fix houses and do something very stupid. Look at Hurricane Andrew. 23 dead actually from the storm but 65 died indirectly from the storm.

Yeah this must be the most costliest disaster in the US for sure. Billions of damages to Casino's, Bridges, oil refineries and one actually washed ashore!!! One hitting a bridge. Whole city under water and many more things.

The worst fears have happened in New Orleans and the mayor said some very disturbing things.
This is what he said.
"We know there is a significant number of dead bodies in the water," and other people dead in attics, Mayor Ray Nagin said. Asked how many, he said: "Minimum, hundreds. Most likely, thousands."
I hope he is flat out wrong however it is likely sadly.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050831/ap_on_re_us/hurricane_katrina;_ylt=ApMhY5kvMrRttTFTtbs8nGwDW7oF;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl

I just read this on another board and got the lady's permission to repost it here.. it gives some perspective on whats going on there:

I'm not normally one to post e-mail on the board, but my mom just forwarded this to me from a member of their credit union community:

Hello everyone,

I wanted to take a moment to let the CU community know what is transpiring here in New Orleans. I am emailing you from a hotel in Dallas where I have evacuated safely from the storm. As you know, it is total devastation in the city. I believe my home has been completely destroyed. At this time, I am not certain, but reports are not looking good. My personal home is situated directly on the water on the westbank of the river. Some areas have 20 feet of water, I am assuming my home is no different. I've only been in it for 3 weeks. Boxes still unpacked.

I am calling on the CU community to help spread awareness of the storm. The entire NO area and Miss gulf coast has been destroyed. We are being blocked from returning to the city - the mayor says for at least a month. We have no idea what we will do - for jobs, money, or shelter. We may locate friends in the area or travel to family's homes if it will truly be that long. The reports you see on CNN or not as bad as what the local feed is showing. I am able to watch local newscasts through a high speed connection in the hotel. People are trapped on their roof tops. Reporters have been shown crying as they tell of people they hear as darkness falls sreaming from their homes, but you can't see them or find them. They say bodies are floating in the streets. Many are dead. Over 20,000 (some reports are conflicting saying 60,000) are in the superdome with no food, water, or sewage. They have declared martial law. People are looting - even one officer was shot in the head by a looter when he attempted to stop him. The reports are that he will survive. It is unspeakable.

NO is like a bowl - the city is below sea level. With other storms like Andrew in FL, the land dried out once the storm passed. In NO, the water is stagnant. It has no where to go. Alligators, snakes, and the like are fighting for the same survival as the people. It is truly catestophic.

Come next week, this tragedy may be a passing story. But this horrible scenario will not be gone. The city needs help. The people need the help of the rest of the nation. Please encourage your leagues and CUs to arrange support efforts, fund raisers, and the like for the citizens of these areas. Call the Red Cross to see what ways your CUs can help. Please post this on any discussion boards that you are a part of. International CU Week is a great opportunity to collect for the storm victims. Matt, as you know, I'm sure you all are preparing for an alternate location for the conference. They say it will be months before power is even restored.

I'm not sure when I'll be able to post again. Take care, please spread the word, and pray for us.

My apologies for this choppy and probably piece mealed message.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

This thing is BAD.. my cousin is there, well evacuatred to Dallas.. but is assuming she has lost EVERYTHING

School, Friday, is raising money for those hit by the hurricane ✅

My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone. This is devastating time for many people and we they need to constantly be in our thoughts and prayers

I know it may not be much, but Friday when they take up money, I have $10.12 to give to them in change. 🙂

Today the real scope has come. Its a disaster of epic proportions and a national disaster.

One thing gets me mad is that our PM in Canada said "we will send anything you ask for". Most people will say come on in, however the US govt has gave no reply. So don't think we up here don't care whats going on. Its top news covering the majority of the news.

PLus chaos and gang wars are goin on in New Orleans. There been reports of shootings resulting in a few deaths and widespread looting.

Ap reports this...
Storm may be deadliest natural disaster in U.S. since 1906 quake.

Originally posted by DanieLs_4_Ever
I know it may not be much, but Friday when they take up money, I have $10.12 to give to them in change. 🙂

Thats awesome.. seriously .. good for you

Originally posted by bilb
Thats awesome.. seriously .. good for you

This is getting worse. 3 levees are now broken up from 2 and the deaths toll are just shocking at the least.
1,012 (Estimate by FEMA; not verified); 187-237 known direct, 23 indirect

I hope that number by Fema is wrong and it is not from a good source however it looks like it is very possible and thats very concerning.

Supposedly Alligators, Snakes, and Fire Ants are Eating all the dead bodies and killing People.

True any people traped especially in rural areas can face a probles like that.
The confirmed death toll is 192-242 known direct, 22 indirect. Note hardly any reports from Some places in Mississipi and LA so sadly but likley it will rise much further. That in itself makes it one of the worst hurricanes in 40+ years. However as the situation becomes more clear in the City Of New Orleans it apears very grim.

after watching all the news footage i was almost ashamed to be a black american...nay i say an american period! of course lawlessnes and looting are to be expected in times like these but im wtaching the tv and instead of these idiots looting for stuff like food, medicine, toiletires, diapers and feminine products these dumb asses are running thru the streets with TVs and VCR's and shit....i even saw a teenage girl with like 12 pairs of sneakers around her neck wading thru that nasty ass water.. i was yelling at the screen like WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO WITH ALL THAT YOU F ****ING DUMB ASSES!!

speaking of which where is all the white people? is NO predominatly black or something cuz the only white ppl i see in the tv are the ones in the uniforms helping ppl out. also did anyone hear about that guy who when the storm was still raging he allowed himself and his family to die becuse some black person who lived on the same street had a boat and he was like we rather die than accept help from a black person?,,,,is this true or is it the stuff of urban legends, like that guy who supposedly surfed on debris to saftey on 9/11

Majority of the people in New Orleans are black. I think 60% or so...

Also according to local media of New Orleans that city like a third world country. Some guy Yelled "its 2005 i thought we were ahead of this" Looting i so rampant that it is being compared to the looting in Baghdad after Saddam fell. Local news is showing disturbing pictures of dead bodies which CNN and other have not shown for some reason.

other than new orleans....any news about mississippi? are there still power outages throughout the state?

I read in the newspaper today that it's going to be weeks before they have electricity back up down there, and that it's going to be a very long time before people are allowed back in their homes in New Orleans.

Biloxi, Mississippi has more or less been wiped off the map, the city is completely decimated.

Wow this is a lot more awful then I thought, I will do what I can to help.

Just another perspective on how this is all being 'handled':

http://hughesforamerica.typepad.com/hughes_for_america/2005/08/august_2930_200.html

*waits for thread on how this is all Bush's fault*

The Hurricane isnt.. the lack of help is