Hurricane Could Leave 1 Million Homeless
 

When Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans on Monday, it could turn one of America's most charming cities into a vast cesspool tainted with toxic chemicals, human waste and even coffins released by floodwaters from the city's legendary cemeteries.

Experts have warned for years that the levees and pumps that usually keep New Orleans dry have no chance against a direct hit by a Category 5 storm.

That's exactly what Katrina was as it churned toward the city. With top winds of 165 mph and the power to lift sea level by as much as 28 feet above normal, the storm threatened an environmental disaster of biblical proportions, one that could leave more than 1 million people homeless.

"All indications are that this is absolutely worst-case scenario," Ivor van Heerden, deputy director of the Louisiana State University Hurricane Center, said Sunday afternoon.

The center's latest computer simulations indicate that by Tuesday, vast swaths of New Orleans could be under water up to 30 feet deep. In the French Quarter, the water could reach 20 feet, easily submerging the district's iconic cast-iron balconies and bars.

Estimates predict that 60 percent to 80 percent of the city's houses will be destroyed by wind. With the flood damage, most of the people who live in and around New Orleans could be homeless.

"We're talking about in essence having ? in the continental United States ? having a refugee camp of a million people," van Heerden said.

Aside from Hurricane Andrew, which struck Miami in 1992, forecasters have no experience with Category 5 hurricanes hitting densely populated areas.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor..._the_big_one_1

There are still people living in FEMA trailers after Andrew. Almost makes you wonder if those are nicer than what they started out in.....

The news just LLLOOOOVVVEEEE this disaster ... they will make MILLIONS on commercials between each crying journalist after the other....

I think its disrespectful for all the people dying around the world every day

Well, I think it's one of the worst hurricane that hit US in recent years.

Hey we got to be sure the wonderful people of Iraq are safe and sound first according to Bush.

Let's hope and pray for some miracles to happen.

My prayers go out to those poor people..it must be a living hell to go through something like that

my hopes and prayers for them... and to those that need most.. this is really heart breaking

Good point. Is there enough Nat'l Guard at home to deal with this? Aren't they the ones who handle disaster control other than FEMA?

yep thats who they call

Hmm.. not to take away, it's sad that that many people could lose their homes.. but have you looked at the condition of the rest of the world recently? Many more people than that are without homes, and what most are in would be considered most American's backyard shed, that's been neglected for 40 years.

Matt

hopefully some have house insurance. they were given plenty of time to pack all their stuff up & flee town, unlike tornados that just happen right away with very little or no warning so at least they were able to save their lives & non-repacables.

my prayers go out for those who couldnt leave N.O. and are still down there & their families :( its gonna be one hell of a bad day :sadcrying

This is the biggest Hurricane you will ever see.

more hurricanes coming.

What? That's like my mother saying, "Eat your sandwich. Do you know how many starving children there are in Ethiopia who don't get sandwiches?"

Yes, there is sadness and misery everywhere. That doesn't mean we shouldn't get stressed about the disasters that are closest to us.

60-80 % of houses destroyed ?? i doubt it

Actually the Louisiana National Guard is pissed off that their equipment is in Iraq right now and have pleaded with the Feds to bring it back home immediately.

Are you kidding? Water is going to be 20 to 35 ft deep. No house can sustain sitting under water that high for 2 to 6 months.

My hopes and prayer for hose who suffered from this....so sad!

Always hope for less human casualties.

Pray
 

I posted a "pray for new orleans" line on my sexblog. Maybe my surfers will pay and pray.

Pretty sure I didn't mention anything opposing your views / thoughts.

Matt

I must need to read again, sorry.

that's just too heartbreaking to hear. even though the government can easily provide, the trauma is unrelenting.

My heart goes out to them