The Aftermath of Katrina - 8/31 Update

File Under: Hurricane Katrina

She hit has a category 4 hurricane. But the devestation it left behind is like nothing we've seen for generations. As America starts to pick up the peices of Katrina, or in the case of New Orleans, continues to evacuate, TDI will continue to bring you all the latest news and information from the Katrina front. Next week, "regular" blog updates are scheduled to resume inbetween notes from Katrina. Here now, the new developments for Wednesday, August 31, 2005:

New Orleans

- In New Orleans, the water has stopped rising, and in some cases, is slowly decreasing.
- New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin estimated it would be 12 to 16 weeks before residents could return to the city.
- 1 million people fled the city before Katrina hit. But an estimated 80,000 were trapped when the storm hit.
- New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin has ordered an all-out evacuation of the city's remaining residents. "We have to," he said. "The city will not be functional for two or three months."
- Hundreds of people were lined up and down Interstate 10, using the former major freeway as a place of refuges. On the few roads that are still open, hundreds are lined up with empty water jugs, begging for some relief.
- Rescue officials are also evacuating people by cruise ships, tent cities, mobile home parks, and "floating dorminories", anything they can do to get these people into shelters and get them out of New Orleans.
- The waters are a mix of sewage, garbage, oil, cleaning chemicals, mud, debris, and just about anything else you can imagine, with dead bodies floating around in it. You don't have to drink it to become sick from it, you just have to be in it, and it can seep into your pores.

Looting

- With food and drinkable water rations starting to run out, looting is become a big problem. But it's not just essentials that they're stealing... TVs', jewelry, clothes, computers, anything they can get their hands on.
- Looters are using garbage cans and inflatable mattresses to get away with goods.
- Stolen guns are also being used by looters to aid them in their crimes.
- Police had to shift priorities from search-and-rescue after looting got so bad.
- "They are starting to get closer to heavily populated areas - hotels, hospitals, and we're going to stop it right now," said New Orleans mayor.
- A man fatally shot his sister in the head over a bag of ice in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

Other Developments

- Returning back to DC from his ranch in Crawford, Texas, President Bush viewed the destruction from Air Force One. A public health emergancy has been declared for those areas, as the government is afraid that with such unsanitary conditions, there may be outbreaks of disease.
- President Bush delivered a speech from the Rose Garden, talking about federal efforts to help the victims of Katrina. You can read the speech by clicking here, or you can click here to read a highlight list of what the different agencies are doing to help those down South.
- 10,000 more National Guard troops have been ordered to the devestated areas, in part to help stop the now-rampant looting. In total, 21,000 National Guardsmen have been called up to help out.
- In Mississippi, the death toll is more than 200. And an unofficial death count in New Orleans has 50 to 100 people dead, though officials say they aren't even worrying about the dead yet. They do warn that the final count may be over a thousand dead.
- According to UN emergancy relief coordinator Jan Egeland, who oversaw the Asian tsunami relief effort, she said that Katrina is one of "the largest, most destructive natural diasters ever." UN assistance has been offered. One by one, countries such as Great Britian and Germany are offering aid to help America out.
- The 23,000 refugees inside the Superdome in New Orleans are being transported - some by prison buses - to the Houston Astrodome 350 miles away. 500 busses are being utilized for the effort.
- Oil will also be tapped from the strategic reserved. At least 20 oil rigs and platforms were missing in the Gulf. Most parts of the country will be seeing over $3 for a gallon of gas.
- The Army Corps of Engineers are planning to try to drop 15,000-pound sand bags and slabs of stone into the 500-foot gap in the breached floodwall.
- Bodies in a morgue in Harrison County, Miss., has had 40 corpses broguth there already.
- The Pentagon has sent 4 Navy ships with drinking water and other emergancy supplies. A hospital ship, helocopters, and elite SEAL water-rescue teams are also on their way.
- NBC Universal stations will be holding a telethon this Friday night, September 2. It will air on NBC, CNBC, and MSNBC, starting at 8 pm ET. It will be 1-hour long. Details on the special can be found by clicking here. (donations go to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund).

.... Speaking of charities, one TDI contributor (hi Mom!) pointed a website out, compiled by Christian station heavyweight, WSCG, with reputable Christian charities. You can view that list by clicking here. Additionally, one FNCC contributor (and manager. Hi Adrian!) pointed this charity out, which is another Christian organization that will focus on churches that are taking care of refugees, or to help rebuild churches that have been destroyed.

TDI will continue to post links to various charities through the days (and weeks?) to come. Additionally, TDI welcomes your help in finding more of these reputable charities that are working to bring aid and supplies to those that need it the most.