"A catastrophic hurricane represents 10 or 15 atomic bombs in terms of the energy it releases," said Joseph Suhayda, a Louisiana State University engineer who is studying ways to limit hurricane damage in the New Orleans area. "Think about it. New York lost two big buildings. Multiply that by 10 or 20 or 30 in the area impacted and the people lost, and we know what could happen."
Hundreds of thousands would be left homeless, and it would take months to dry out the area and begin to make it livable. But there wouldn't be much for residents to come home to. The local economy would be in ruins.
posted on August 28, 2005 09:05:37 AM new
I have lived through the remenants of hurricanes Betsy and Camellia being about 150 miles north of the Mississippi and Louisiana gulf coast. These category 4 and 5 storms are not party time.
Already the winds have picked up with some strong gusts. We are expecting lots of rain in 24 to 48 hours and of course the dreaded spawned tornados. Those come with little warning and can be devastating.
posted on August 28, 2005 10:27:19 AM new
New Orleans is beautiful city. I am sick at heart that Katrina may hit her. The city really has little natural or man made protection! A sand and clay foundation is zilch against a Cat 5 or 4.
Heck, the waterways overflow with a big thunderboomer at times in New Orleans.
This is REAL scary, I just hope if any decide to "ride her out" their children are sent out with someone who has the common sense to know that their life is more important than their material processions.
I remember seeing news reports and interviews of families with little children "riding it out"
during past hurricanes.
Even with mandatory evacuations, not all will leave.
I lived in Myrtle Beach for years and some would not leave under any circumstances.
I fear for the Big Easy...its people,the children,the elderly,the poor and the pets.
------------------------------------------
posted on August 28, 2005 10:55:25 AM new
This monster now has sustained winds of 175 mph, making it comparable to Camille in 1969, only it's physically larger than Camille. The combination of high pressure over the southern states that have kept this storm over water longer than usual, plus the near 90 degree temp of the water makes this a textbook example of a catastrophy in the making. This isn't the type of storm that you try to ride out. I'm afraid New Orleans, as we know it today, will not be recognizeable in a couple of days. Also, hurricane force winds will extend 100 miles from the center of the storm, so there is a very large area of the coastline that is in imminent danger in addition to the point of impact.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on August 28, 2005 11:02:55 AM new
And it's only getting worse Sparkz... they are now calling it a 5.5 it looks to be so bad. This one is going to effect everyone. Not only have the oil wells in the Gulf been evacuated, it was done so quickly that there was no time to secure them so it's pretty much a given that production is going to be down for months.
Luck to all in the area... I'm thinking of you Mags...Hope there is indeed a home for you to return to.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
An intelligent deaf-mute is better than an ignorant person who can speak.
posted on August 28, 2005 11:04:35 AM new
Watching a cable news channel, I see some teenage kids with an apparent suicide pact going on, out riding their surfboards and playing in the waves on the beach by New Orleans ...
And you would THINK adults would be smarter; they live-interviewed a very normal looking couple in their 30s and the guy had a cardboard box he was toting on his shoulder. Interviewer stopped them and asked them about themselves. ... traveling vacationers, from Cincinatti. Can't get a plane or a car out of town. Got some 'supplies' and are taking them up to their hotel room, on the 4th floor someplace near downtown Orleans ... newsguy says, 'well lets see what all you have in that box to get you through this' ...
sheesh! 2 twelve backs of beer, two qts. of water, a pillar candle, crackers and beef jerky. stupid stupid stupid. imho
posted on August 28, 2005 11:10:37 AM new
I don't think the surfers on the beach realize what they are facing. Here's a satellite photo of Katrina. It should automatically update every 30 minutes. It has a very well defined eye. Pay particular attention to the diameter of it and the area it will cover when it comes ashore.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on August 28, 2005 12:26:29 PM new
Estate - I saw that couple too. I dont think thaey realize that the suggestion is to have food for 5-7 days for people that are staying in the area.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
An intelligent deaf-mute is better than an ignorant person who can speak.
posted on August 28, 2005 12:58:18 PM new
fenix --- I guess beer is food. LOL ... it is to me right now, but I'm in Ohio.
Well, even all the weather reporters down there are planning on being in upper story hotel room later today ... so at least there will be groups of people together.
posted on August 28, 2005 01:10:26 PM new
He's going to try to ride out this storm with only 2 12 packs?? This guy must be a real tourist. It'll take that much just to calm the nerves when the first wind gust hits this afternoon. He better rent a pick-up and head back to the store and stock up properly. If he were smart, he'd throw a brick through the windshield of a police car. That would land him in the bucket for a few days. Think about it. The jailhouse is the strongest building in town, and they have shatterproof windows. They have their own kitchen and dispensary with emergency generators, and they'll spend $5000.00 to keep him secure just so they can squeeze a $500.00 fine and a new windshield out of him next week.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on August 28, 2005 03:48:40 PM new
Things are starting to look bad already in the big Easy. In addition, there is a tornado watch in effect for the gulf coast from La. to the Florida Panhandle. Here's a view of the impact area as seen by doppler radar in New Orleans. This image should update every 12 minutes.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
[ edited by sparkz on Aug 28, 2005 03:50 PM ]
[ edited by sparkz on Aug 28, 2005 03:53 PM ]
posted on August 29, 2005 05:41:17 AM new
I very foolishly rode out H. Andrew. I would NEVER do that again. Of course, you cannot explain it to people. They have to find out for themselves. After the hurricane passes, people *think* that they can just go to the store and pickup what they need. What they don't realize is that the stores get hit every bit as hard as the rest of the city. None of the stores were open for weeks after Andrew. There was no power. There was no where to turn, except for the Red Cross, FEMA, and other emergency shelters. Food was a big problem. We went hungry. Sometimes the Red Cross would come around for sandwiches for us during the first week. But that first week was a real killer. For a couple of weeks after that, we basically lived off of water and peanut butter sandwiches.
If anyone is thinking of donating supplies to help the victims, don't donate clothes. As much as they will need clothes, most Goodwill, Red Cross, etc., have plenty of clothes. The clothes that were donated after Andrew were dumped in a parking lot. It then rained and ruined all of the clothing donated. It ended up in the city dump.
Some of the things that they will desparately need are: powdered milk, powdered formula for babies (don't get the ready made because it needs to be refrigerated), diapers, baby food, baby bottles and throw away inserts for the bottles, canned foods, can openers, water, mosquito repellant, sleeping bags or cots, inexpensive toys for children -- like from the dollar store (this sounds like a luxury item, but it's not -- the kids have absolutely nothing to occupy them while their parents are trying to get their lives back in order), bleach, waterless hand soap (or antibacterial gels), plus personal hygiene items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, feminine hygiene products, and flashlights, batteries ...
There are tons of other items that they will need and perhaps others will jump in the fill-in the gaps that I missed.
You can take your donations directly to the Red Cross.
posted on August 29, 2005 07:57:40 AM newPTL Katrina moved NW, and totally missed us! BUT we do need to remember those in the direct path of this storm in prayer.
Beau (jwpc)
~"It does not matter what I think, it does not matter what you think. The only thing which matters is: What is the TRUTH!"~
posted on August 29, 2005 09:40:51 AM new
Glassgrl...This storm is spawning deadly tornadoes all along the Gulf and into the western part of the Florida panhandle. There's one in Escambia county right now. Be careful, and monitor a local news source for any warnings that may pop up for your area.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
, but I'm in Ohio.
