If you’re interested, there are good reads on a New Orleans forum. There’s not a ton of time left for things to turn around, and if anything the latest reports are looking worse – possible direct hit on N.O. and Category 4 approaching 5 strength. The possible shutdown/damage to huge amounts of gulf oil production is also a huge concern to the rest of the country
Update, 8/28, 7:30AM: According to the latest bulletins, Katrina is now a Category 5 hurricane. It is still headed directly for N.O.. The mainstream media still seems to be ignoring the magnitude of the problem, but the National Hurricane Center is freaking out and a mandatory evacuation has been ordered(too late)
Word is 20 foot storm surge and another 10-15 of waves. How do you think the barriers will hold out against that? According to this, 19 feet would cause catastrophic flooding and 24 feet would put the entire city under water. It’s right at that point
For people who think they’ll “ride out” a Category 5 storm:
Update, 8/28, 9:30AM: What’s astonishing is people on the N.O. forum who are still talking about staying. There’s one person in a mobile home who doesn’t want to leave her animals…It’s frightening – these are people with internet connections and a forum full of people telling them they’ll be killed, and they’re still not budging. It makes me wonder what all the people who are less well-off and well-informed will be doing. The outer edge of the hurricane is about to make landfall, and the amount of time left to evacuate is dwindling
Update, 8/28, 9:30AM: If Katrina made landfall now, it would be the second-strongest Hurricane to ever hit the United States – the only one worse being in 1935. Here’s a webcam from N.O., and here’s an index of a few more – I would bet they’ll go out before the hurricane gets too bad though
