Hurricaine

[Ax3C]

It appears that New Orleans may be spared the brunt of the full impact of this storm. According to a live news feed from WWLTV in New Orleans:

http://www.khou.com/perl/common/video/wmPlayer.pl?title=beloint_khou&props=livenoad

the storm is now tracking more northwards rather than north by northwest. Its path has shifted somewhat to the east as well and appears to now be moving along a path that will keep it parallel to the city of New Orleans. It's dropped down to a strong (and still very much dangerous) Category '4' hurricane with winds of 145 mph.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

 

[SacramentLoG]

I can't believe that the hurrican blew a section of the roof off of the Superdome. I feel so sorry for the people in the path of this. Thanks to God, I am not in the path of it, but I do live in the south,and will probably get some of the after effects of it (rain).

 

[D-rock]

It looks like the worst-case scenario didn't happen. I hope everything turns out better than expected.

 

[member987]

New Orleans was spared the brunt force of Hurricane Katrina, but, today 2 levees have broke on the mighty Mississippi River. 80% of the city is flooded.

Full hurricane force winds have leveled Biloxi, Mississippi.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/

This may have been the worst hurricane in recorded US history. Please keep the people affected by this disaster in your thoughts. If you are able to help out, please do:

www.redcross.org

Thanks.

 

[jod0565]

I hate the fact that hurricanes do so much damage to property and lives, but when I saw the clip of people looting, that really disheartened my belief in the goodness of people.

 

[foxycougar]

I agree, Jod. It's sad that after/during any disaster there are so many taking advantage of the plight of those who were/are affected. At least it's partially balanced by the people who are willing to give their time, money, resources and put their lives on hold to help.

 

[D-rock]

I hate the fact that hurricanes do so much damage to property and lives, but when I saw the clip of people looting, that really disheartened my belief in the goodness of people.

It would take a pretty low form of life to have the heart to exploit the misfortune of others so readily.

 

[Ax3C]

The New York Times, New Orleans Times-Picayune, and even the Houston Chronicle are all reporting that the looting has even taken place in front of the police and the National Guard.

The Governor of Louisiana is now calling for the entire city to be evacuated. I read a report a little while ago that stated that this could have moderately severe impact on the economy.... especially with New Orleans being the largest port here in the States. S & P was projecting that gas prices could soard even higher over the next month or two.

This is a dire situation, people... not only has their been major loss of life, severe and catastrophic property damage, but there is also a really good chance we could see a serious downturn in our economy; we'll be feeling the repercussions of this storm for the rest of this year, most likely.

 

[Cybie]

and there will be more and more powerful hurricaines in the future because of global warming.
When will GWB take responsibility for that?

 

[Ax3C]

and there will be more and more powerful hurricaines in the future because of global warming.
When will GWB take responsibility for that?

Oh, come on!!! Let's be just a tad bit more realistic (and compassionate) here!!!

#1 This is a thread about the damage to New Orleans and the surrounding areas and states caused by Hurricane Katrina... not a politically-charged or motivated diatribe against President George W. Bush. If you want to do that, create a thread elsewhere and rant away. I'll join in on it myself. Otherwise, stay on topic and discuss what's relevant to the thread.

#2 To reverse my previous statement and to answer your post:

How can President Bush even be conceivably blamed for the hurricanes or inclement weather of the future?? To even begin to believe that man (let alone ONE man) can control weather is just point-blank naive, foolish, and completely irrelevant to the issue. True, Global Warming has had - and will continue to have - a negative impact on the environment until we ALL (every last one of us on this planet... man, woman, and child) take responsibility... it's not up to just one man in a position of power... for the environment and how we interact with the earth on a daily basis.

A hurricane, tornado, flash flood, ice storm, snow storm, flash flood (ad nauseum) are all classified as "Acts Of God"... man cannot control weather even if he tried. True, certain measures can be taken to help prevent future damages, but the likelihood of the rest of the world's leaders agreeing upon, acting on, falling in step with, and adhering to those ideas are quite unlikely to happen. It will take a concerted, united effort on the part of all civilized and industrialized countries/nations to somehow reverse - or even try to arrest - the damaging effects to our planet that we are dealing with right now. Mother Nature has a way of leveling out the playing field in case you hadn't noticed by now.

I respectfully submit that you step back and take a moment to refresh yourself or further study geology, meteorology, and oceanography to become better acquainted with the subject at hand.

I understand what your point is with your post, but please... show some compassion and respect to all the people who have been affected by this tragedy of nature. Your entitled to your views and opinions, but this thread is not the place for it. If you want to debate the topic, create the thread in the appropriate section/Forum and we'll debate it intelligently.

Now... shall we continue with the topic at hand, please?

 

[om3ga]

The New York Times, New Orleans Times-Picayune, and even the Houston Chronicle are all reporting that the looting has even taken place in front of the police and the National Guard.

The Governor of Louisiana is now calling for the entire city to be evacuated. I read a report a little while ago that stated that this could have moderately severe impact on the economy.... especially with New Orleans being the largest port here in the States. S & P was projecting that gas prices could soard even higher over the next month or two.

This is a dire situation, people... not only has their been major loss of life, severe and catastrophic property damage, but there is also a really good chance we could see a serious downturn in our economy; we'll be feeling the repercussions of this storm for the rest of this year, most likely.

I've been watching pictures of destruction & widespread looting on the BBC & FOX News networks just now (and on the internet). It's believed that the economic cost of this hurricane could be the highest in U.S. history (the BBC estimate damages of more than $25bn).

Apparently the price of crude oil is currently at a new record high ($70.85 a barrel), due to the damage done to important U.S. Gulf Coast oil refineries and production platforms.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,167892,00.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4197346.stm

It's as bad as it gets, folks (and the looting isn't helping either).

 

[Togath]

There was a movie made by the FX channel earlier this summer that predicted this almost to a t. It is wild.
But sincereily, I am probably gonna get blasted for this but here it goes. I was watching an interview on msnbc and this guy says "heck i love hurricanes, every 4=5 years i get to remodel my house and the government and insurance picks up the tab". This is what freakin pisses me off. My freakin home owners insurance goes up because a-holes are allowed to rebuild in hurricane zones. That B.S., rebuild once, if damaged again forced to move out and turn the area into a park. Man I wish I could get money from the government and insurance to redue my house every 4-5 years. Yeah go ahead and yell at me everyone and send me neg rep points. But think about it. My grandparents have never made a claim on home owners insurance, my parents never did and i havent in 10 years, and probably never will. Its bull shit plain and simple that I have to pay higher premiums because some tan bastard wants to live on the beach where his shit is destroyed and he gets new shit every 5 years.


Oh and to the looting thing, F' all they showed two freaking cops looting with the other people in a wal-mart how f'd up is that?

 

[Ax3C]

I, for one, am not going to issue out any negative REP to you on this particular subject simply owing the fact I competely agree in most every aspect with you.

We live here in Houston; practically on the coast, really... it's roughly 40 miles inland from Galveston and the Gulf Of Mexico. Parts of the lower half of Galveston Island (a place called "Surfside") were affected by the storm even this far away... and we have people here prattling pretty much the same thing.

I kinda feel like the insurance companies themselves are to blame for handing out policies like candy to those who live in areas prone to flooding, fire, etc. It's comparable to those homeowners who clamor to move into real estate that is located near or semi-adjacent to: airports, factories, and chemical refineries. They'll move into an existing neighborhood that's been established in that area for years and then two or three years later have the unmitigated gall and audacity to bitch and complain about the poulltion factors, both noise and so-called "normal" pollution.

My reaction is always one of incredulity.... "You knew it was like this when you moved in, you dimwit asshole! Why are you bitching about it now? Sell it and move elsewhere if you don't like it!!"

However... with the good always come the bad, Togath. There will always be the village idiots who try to get one over on people... always. And yes, it pisses me off as well to know that my premiums go up because of these wanna-be scam artists in disguise.

The way I look at it is simple: if you coluntarily move into an area such as any of those outlined above, you should be allowed one claim owing to the fact that these are either pre-existing conditions OR (in the case of beach-front erosion, water damage from floods, storm damage due to coastal proximity, et. al) natural phenomenom that cannot be controlled by man (i.e., Acts Of God).

I'd bet anythign it would save us all a LOT of money in the long-term aspect.

:thumbsup:

 

[dragonturtle]

I've been watching pictures of destruction & widespread looting on the BBC & FOX News networks just now (and on the internet). It's believed that the economic cost of this hurricane could be the highest in U.S. history (the BBC estimate damages of more than $25bn).

Apparently the price of crude oil is currently at a new record high ($70.85 a barrel), due to the damage done to important U.S. Gulf Coast oil refineries and production platforms.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,167892,00.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4197346.stm

It's as bad as it gets, folks (and the looting isn't helping either).

I think Hurricane Andrew cost $31 billion total. I don't know if the damages for Katrina will top that, but economically it certainly will, given that New Orleans is a major port. The gas prices have already gone up 10 cents/litre in Canada. Although some people think the prices are fixed, of course.

The stories I'm hearing about the chaos is sickening. I have no problem with people looting food, water, clothing, and blankets. I applaud the policemen in the Fox article said to be helping citizens to break into a drug store. These are desperate times.

I don't condone it, but I'd also understand if people are robbing other people of essentials. If it's a matter of survival for you and your family versus strangers, and you have a gun, ethics is no longer a priority.

But there are stories of people stealing electronics, firearms, and cars. Women are being assaulted. People are shooting at rescue workers! It's true that people can get crazy when they're scared, but I can't fathom how people would attack rescue workers. Sometimes, human nature disgusts me.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/hurricane_katrina

What's most concerning is it's 4 days into the disaster, there's still no organized relief effort. The pimples of society are repelling what little relief there is. The young, elderly, and the weak are going to die very quickly if they don't get help in the next couple days. And as people die, and the others get scared, it will compound problems with relief efforts. Already, helicopters can't land because people swarm beneath them when they approach.

And months from now, debates will be raging about whether guns should be banned, and whether military resources out-of-country could've been used here. But those are other topics.

 

[om3ga]

From the news I've heard (BBC & Fox) it sounds like all-out anarchy and I hope that there are no forum members directly impacted by this disaster:

The New Orleans riverfront has been hit by a series of massive blasts (apparently involving a chemical factory), and fires are raging in the area (as well as other parts of the city) - police are checking for toxic fumes.

Extra troops has been sent to stop lawbreakers.Said troops are believed to have orders to shoot and kill if necessary (in veiw of the outbreaks of looting, shootings and carjackings, and reports of rapes).

Floodwaters are now toxic with fuel, battery acid, rubbish and raw sewage. Approx. 90,000 sq miles (234,000 sq km) has now been affected by Hurricane Katrina. The affected area is bigger than Great Britain (83,698 sq miles/ 216,777 sq km).

And now politicians are playing the blame game (which really pisses me off!)

 

[QuestionMark]

i think this whole thing is horrible the disaster and the chaos of after it.

i can't do or say that will be of much help ...but hope that order is restored quickly..and that stranded people get saved as soon as possible.

 

[Ax3C]

Just so you guys can see what kind of flooding New Orleans has encountered, click on the following link. It's a Satellite image of the same area... one before Katrina and one after...

You can also zoom in for a more detailed view...

http://images.chron.com/content/news/photos/05/09/01/satmap/satcom.html

 

[tunsty]

Place your bets now, that some script writer is even now penning a movie script about this.

 

[D-rock]

Place your bets now, that some script writer is even now penning a movie script about this.

I heard that somebody did write a story about this before it happened. Now they want to wait to release it. No doubt somebody in it for the money will come in and release another book soon just so they can make a quick buck off of this. I also heard there is a movie out there somewhere, makes you kind of sad.

 

[D-rock]

Just so you guys can see what kind of flooding New Orleans has encountered, click on the following link. It's a Satellite image of the same area... one before Katrina and one after...

You can also zoom in for a more detailed view...

http://images.chron.com/content/news/photos/05/09/01/satmap/satcom.html

I wonder how many months its going to take to get rid of the water.

If you look closely you can also see the gaps in the highway.