Hurricane Katrina
- This article is about the 2005 hurricane. For other storms with this name, see Hurricane Katrina (disambiguation).
 | This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. |
| Duration | Aug. 24 - present, 2005 |
|---|---|
Hurricane Katrina, the remnants of which still exist as a storm system, was a major tropical cyclone that caused significant damage in the southeastern part of the United States. Areas affected (so far) include southern Florida, Louisiana (especially the Greater New Orleans area), southern and central Mississippi, southern Alabama, the western Florida Panhandle, western Georgia and the Tennessee Valley region.
Katrina is the eleventh named storm, fourth hurricane, and third major hurricane of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season. Its minimum central pressure of 27.108 inches (918 mb) at the time of its Louisiana landfall makes it the third most intense system to strike the United States in recorded history. So far there have been at least 81 deaths, a number which is still rising, since many areas are still inaccessible. It would be the deadliest hurricane in the United States since at least Hurricane Agnes in 1972, which killed 122. It is also estimated to be the costliest natural disaster in United States history.
Katrina formed over the Bahamas on August 24, 2005 and first made landfall near North Miami, Florida, United States, as a Category 1 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale, causing major flooding, loss of power to more than 1 million residents, and more than 50 deaths. An eye-restructuring event weakened it to a tropical storm as it moved offshore. However, the system regained strength much more quickly than anticipated in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, becoming a Category 5 hurricane and reaching a central pressure of 26.63 inches (902 mb), the fourth most intense storm ever recorded in the Atlantic Basin, with maximum sustained windspeeds of 175 mph and wind gusts over 200 mph. The system turned northward and weakened slightly just before making its second landfall on August 29, 2005, near Grand Isle, Louisiana, as a Category 4 hurricane with winds of 150 mph. This was quickly followed by a third landfall south of Buras-Triumph, Louisiana at approximately 6:10 a.m. CDT (1110 UTC), with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph. A final landfall was made at the Louisiana-Mississippi border at 10 am CDT (1500 UTC).
A mandatory evacuation was issued for the first time ever in New Orleans, Louisiana, as 70 percent of the city is below sea level and the storm surge was expected to reach record levels of 28 ft (8 m) above normal tide levels. An offshore instrument recorded waves of 36 ft (11 m) before becoming unresponsive. Disaster relief plans are in full operation in the affected communities. Some experts predict a million people could become homeless as a result of the storm [2]. Preliminary insurance estimates from State Farm and other insurance companies indicate insured damage from 10 to 25 billion USD [3]. Currently 5,000,000 people are without power in the Gulf Coast, and it may be two months before all power is restored [4].
At first, many thought that the storm would not be as catastrophic as forecasters predicted for most of New Orleans, because the storm made a right turn at the last minute, and the eye missed New Orleans by 10-15 miles. Immediately after the worst winds passed, the storm surge, which scientists had worried might top levees, slowed and stabilized. Early on August 30, however, a levee gave way, and 80% of New Orleans is now said to be under water, which in some places is 25 feet deep. [5]
Storm history
The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued a statement on August 23 saying that Tropical Depression Twelve had formed over the southeastern Bahamas. The numbering of this system was debated, as Tropical Depression Twelve formed out of what some weather analysts called the "remains of Tropical Depression Ten". The naming and numbering rules at the NHC require a system to keep the same identity if it dies then regenerates, which would have normally caused this storm to remain numbered Ten. However, the NHC gave this storm a new number because a second disturbance merged with the remains of Tropical Depression Ten on August 20, and there is no way to tell whether the remnants of T.D. Ten should be credited with this storm (this is different from Hurricane Ivan in the 2004 season, when the NHC ruled that Ivan did indeed reform; the remnant of Ivan that regenerated in the Gulf of Mexico was a distinct system from the moment Ivan originally dissipated to the moment it regained tropical storm strength) [6]. The system was upgraded to Tropical Storm Katrina on the morning of August 24. Katrina became the fourth hurricane of the 2005 season on August 25 and made landfall later that day around 6:30 p.m. between Hallandale Beach and North Miami Beach, Florida.
(courtesy NOAA [1])
![[1]](https://www.nasa.gov/images/content/126302main_Katrina_082805_lg.jpg){kind=link}
Katrina spent only a few hours over southern Florida. Katrina was predicted to go across South and Southwest Florida. However, Katrina moved farther to the south than expected and soon regained hurricane strength after emerging into the Gulf of Mexico in the morning of August 26. Katrina then quickly strengthened to Category 2 and its pressure dropped to 971 mb, which called for a special update from the NHC at 11:30 a.m. EDT (1530 UTC). At 5 a.m. EDT (0900 UTC) on August 27 Katrina was upgraded to Category 3 and its pressure dropped to 945 mb. The same day President Bush declared a state of emergency in Louisiana, two days before the hurricane made landfall [7]. Later, at 12:40 a.m. CDT (0540 UTC) on August 28, Katrina was upgraded to Category 4. Later that morning, Katrina went through a period of rapid intensification, with its maximum sustained winds reaching as high as 175 mph (280 km/h) (well above the Category 5 threshold of 156 mph (250 km/h)) and a pressure of 906 mb by 1 p.m. CDT. By 4 p.m. CDT, Katrina reached its lowest pressure reading, at 902 mb. This made Katrina the fourth most intense hurricane on record in the Atlantic basin, surpassing such Category 5 storms as Hurricane Ivan of 2004, Hurricane Mitch of 1998, and Hurricane Camille, the legendary hurricane that made landfall on the Mississippi coast in 1969. Katrina, however, began an eyewall replacement cycle just before reaching shore, sparing the coast from a Category 5 landfall. Nonetheless, the system made landfall as a strong Category 4 hurricane on 5:30 a.m. CDT (1030 UTC) near Grand Isle, Louisiana, with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph. Its lowest minimum pressure at landfall was 915 mb, the 3rd strongest hurricane to make landfall on the United States on record.
A 15-20 foot storm surge came ashore on virtually the entire coastline from Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama to Florida.
view of the eyewall of Hurricane Katrina taken on 28 August 2005, as seen from a NOAA P-3 hurricane hunter aircraft before the storm made landfall on the USA Gulf Coast.
Storm status
As of 4 pm CDT on August 30 (2100 UTC), the center of Tropical Depression Katrina was located inland about 40 miles (65 km) southwest of Louisville, Kentucky. The system was moving north-northeast at 27 mph (43 km/h) with maximum sustained winds of 30 mph (50 km/h).
Katrina is currently in the Ohio River Valley, and affecting a very wide swath of land covering a good portion of eastern North America.
For current forecasts, see the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center's latest public advisory on Katrina
Tornadoes
Currently there is a tornado watch that will expire soon that is from Atlanta, Georgia to Bristol, Virginia, but may have expired, today there is a minor risk of tornadoes, though nearly all of them will be under F1 rank. Currently there have been tornado reports near Atlanta, Georgia, and Mobile, Alabama. On August 30, 2005 there is a very slight chance of tornadoes at the West Virginia/Virginia border. Though tornadoes are possible as faraway as Richmond, Virginia; Washington D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland there is most likely going to be no tornado warnings within 80 miles of its suburbs. No deaths have been reported with the tornadoes, and just one minor injury in Lula, Georgia so far. Tornado watches relating to Katrina include Tornado watch 757,758,759, 760 (active), 761(active) and 762(active).
Historical analysis
| Top four most intense hurricanes in recorded history | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Atlantic | Landfall U.S. | ||||||
| Rank | Hurricane | Year | Pressure | Rank | Hurricane | Year | Pressure |
| 1 | Gilbert | 1988 | 888 mb | 1 | Labor Day | 1935 | 892 mb |
| 2 | Labor Day | 1935 | 892 mb | 2 | Camille | 1969 | 909 mb |
| 3 | Allen | 1980 | 899 mb | 3 | Katrina | 2005 | 915 mb |
| 4 | Katrina | 2005 | 902 mb | 4 | Andrew | 1992 | 922 mb |
| Based on data from: The Weather Channel | Based on data from: National Hurricane Center | ||||||
Ranking Katrina's place in the history of hurricanes depends on the exact figures used. Katrina (based upon a central pressure of 915 mb at landfall) - is the second most intense named hurricane to hit the United States since the naming of storms began in 1950 (and third overall since the recording of hurricanes began in 1851), behind 1969 Hurricane Camille's central pressure of 909 mb (26.84 inches), and the unnamed Labor Day Hurricane of 1935.
Katrina has been compared with Camille since that hurricane was also an intense Category 5 storm which made landfall in the same general area. The Labor Day Hurricane that hit the Florida Keys was slightly more powerful, with a minimum central pressure of 892 mb (26.34 inches).
Katrina has also drawn comparisons to Hurricane Betsy, because of its similar track and potential effects on New Orleans. In 1965, Betsy struck New Orleans after passing over the Florida Keys, causing over $1.5 billion USD in damage in 1965 (over $9 billion today), and the deaths of 75 people, earning the nickname "Billion Dollar Betsy". However, Betsy was only a fast-moving Category 3 hurricane, limiting its potential for devastation, while Katrina was a massive, slow-moving Category 4 storm. For Katrina, some potential damage estimates exceed the $36 billion damage (in current dollars) caused by Hurricane Andrew (previously the most destructive hurricane to have hit the United States).
It also may become one of the most deadliest hurricanes to hit the US in many decades. News reports put this as being the deadliest hurricane since Hurricane Camille in 1969. [8]
Preparations and expectations
New Orleans
New Orleans mayor C. Ray Nagin ordered the first ever mandatory evacuation of the city (calling Katrina "a storm that most of us have long feared"). He established several "refuges of last resort" for citizens who cannot leave the city, including the massive Louisiana Superdome, which housed over 9,000 people along with 550 National Guard troops as Katrina came ashore. Maj. Gen. Bennett C. Landreneau, adjutant general for the Louisiana National Guard, said that the number of people taking shelter in the Superdome has risen to around 15,000 to 20,000 as search and rescue teams bring more people to the Superdome from areas hard-hit by the flooding.[9] However, the governor of Louisiana has now ordered the Superdome be evacuated as waters in New Orleans continue to rise. [10]
The elevation of the Superdome is about three feet above sea level, and the forecasted storm surge was predicted to cause flooding on that site. The Superdome has been used as a shelter in the past (in 1998's Hurricane Georges), and is estimated to be able to withstand winds of up to 200 mph and water levels of 35 feet. However, Hurricane Katrina damaged the roof of the stadium early in the storm [11].
Nagin's office reported that as many as 1 million residents of New Orleans and the surrounding areas had evacuated. Authorities and news media have noted that most fatalities due to these storms can be prevented by being smart and packing up necessities and travelling to a safe location for the duration of the storm [12].
Some areas of New Orleans city are up to 20 feet (~6 m) below sea level, and rain-water must be pumped out as fast as it falls to prevent flooding. The city's protective levees along Lake Pontchartrain only reach 14 feet (~4 m) (levee maps). Most of the city was expected to be heavily flooded before landfall due to the storm surge, and although the worst-case scenario did not come to pass and the eye passed 10-15 miles to the east of the city, there was still considerable flooding. It was predicted that the wind would shift back into the north as the storm passed, forcing large volumes of water from Lake Pontchartrain into the city. The storm surge in Lake Pontchartrain was expected to reach 14 to 18 feet, with waves reaching seven feet above the storm surge itself [13].
On August 28, 10 a.m. CDT, the National Weather Service field office in New Orleans (NWS) issued a bulletin predicting catastrophic damage to the city. Anticipated effects included at least partial destruction of one out of every two well-constructed houses in the city, damage to most industrial buildings rendering them inoperable, the "total destruction" of all wood-framed low-rise apartment buildings, all windows blowing out in high-rise office buildings, and the creation of a huge debris field of trees, telephone poles, cars, and collapsed buildings.
Further predictions were that the standing water caused by huge storm surges would render most of the city uninhabitable for weeks, while the destruction of oil and petrochemical refineries in the surrounding area would spill waste into the flooding, converting the city into a toxic marsh until water can be drained. Shortages of clean water "will make human suffering incredible by modern standards", according to a NWS bulletin. Some experts say that it could take six months or longer to pump all the water out of the city. Even after the area has been drained, all buildings will need to undergo inspection to determine structural soundness, as all buildings in the city are likely to be at least partly submerged [14].
Most experts anticipated Katrina to be the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history. Some early predictions in damages exceeded $100 billion, not accounting for potential catastrophic damage inland due to flooding (which would increase the total even more), or damage to the economy caused by potential interruption of oil supply. Other predictions placed the minimum insured damage at around $12.5 billion (keep in mind that this figure is normally doubled to account for uninsured damages in the final cost), so the location of impact remains the main point of focus for the time being.
Other areas
Mandatory evacuations were also ordered for Assumption, Jefferson, Lafourche outside the floodgates, Plaquemines, St. Charles and St. James parishes and parts of Tangipahoa and Terrebonne parishes in Louisiana.
In Alabama, evacuations were ordered for parts of Mobile and Baldwin counties (including Gulf Shores). In Mississippi, evacuations were ordered for parts of Hancock, Harrison and Jackson counties.
Transportation and military
In preparation for heavy evacuation traffic, Mississippi and Louisiana redirected southbound lanes of Interstate 55 and Interstate 59 northbound in certain areas; Louisiana also redirected eastbound lanes of Interstate 10 westbound for several hours. This contraflow lane reversal allowed all lanes to be used for evacuation, and prohibited inbound traffic in affected areas.
The frigates USS Stephen W. Groves and USS John L. Hall sailed from their home port of Pascagoula to avoid the path of the storm. Aircraft stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi (ironically home to the Air Force's fleet of WC-130 Hurricane Hunter aircraft), Pensacola and Whiting Field Naval Air Stations near Pensacola, Florida, and at Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field near Fort Walton Beach, Florida, were also evacuated.
On Sunday, August 28, Canadian National Railway (CN) suspended all rail traffic on its lines south of McComb, Mississippi (lines formerly owned by Illinois Central Railroad that extend into New Orleans, Louisiana), in anticipation of damage from the hurricane. To help ease the resumption of services after the storm passes, CN also issued an embargo with the Association of American Railroads against all deliveries to points south of Osyka, Mississippi [15].
Amtrak, America's rail passenger carrier, announced that the southbound City of New Orleans passenger trains from Chicago, Illinois, on August 29 and 30 will terminate in Memphis, Tennessee, rather than their usual destination of New Orleans; the corresponding northbound trains will also originate in Memphis. The southbound Crescent from New York, New York, for the same period will terminate in Atlanta, Georgia, with the corresponding northbound trains originating in Atlanta as well. Amtrak's westbound Sunset Limited will originate in San Antonio, Texas, rather than its normal origin point of Orlando, Florida. Amtrak announced that no alternate transportation options will be made available into or out of the affected area during this time [16].
The Waterford nuclear power plant was shut down on Sunday, August 28, before Katrina's arrival.
Impact by region
| State | Location (County/Parish) |
Deaths | Direct Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | Broward | 3 | 3 |
| Miami-Dade | 5 | 3 | |
| Unknown | 3 | 0 | |
| Louisiana | E. Baton Rouge | 3 | 0 |
| Orleans | 3 | 0 | |
| St. Tammany | 3 | 0 | |
| Mississippi | Harrison | 54-80 | 54-80 |
| Hinds | 1 | 1 | |
| Leake | 1 | 1 | |
| Warren | 1 | 1 | |
| Alabama | Unknown | 2 | 0 |
| Georgia | Carroll | 1 | 0 |
| Tennessee | 0 | 0 | |
| Kentucky | Christian | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 81-107 | 64-90 | |
Louisiana
According to officials nearly one million people were temporarily without electricity in Louisiana for several hours. Currently, 800,000 are without electricity.
There have been unconfirmed reports of flooding on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway.
The Sheriff of Jefferson Parish reported through WDSU that he expects his district to remain uninhabitable for at least the coming week and that residents should not return to the area.
Incidents of looting have been reported throughout affected areas of Louisiana, most notably in New Orleans.
Lousiana governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco has ordered all roadways into the state closed, as reported by WDSU TV.
New Orleans
Area affiliates of WDSU report New Orleans is experiencing widespread flooding, is without power, and that there are several instances of catastrophic damage in residential as well as business areas. All metropolitan New Orleans television news services have evacuated their studios in the city and are broadcasting from remote locations.
Shortly before midnight on August 28, local television stations WAPT and WWL reported the first deaths in Louisiana related to Katrina: three nursing home patients who died, probably of dehydration, during the gridlocked evacuation of New Orleans.
"There are reports of army ducks traveling throughout the parish with some homes and streets deeply in water. Information will be ongoing..." --Senator Walter Boasso [17].
As of 2 p.m. (CDT), the east side of New Orleans is under 5 to 6 feet of water.
Entire neighborhoods on the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain are flooded.
At 11 p.m. of August 29, Mayor Ray Nagin conducted an interview with WWL [18] discussing the damage to New Orleans. He described the loss of life as "significant" with reports of bodies floating on the water throughout the city, though primarily in the eastern portions. There is no clean water or electricity in the city, and some hotels and hospitals reporting diesel fuel shortages. The estimate of restoration of power is at least 4-6 weeks for the city. The breach in the levy at the 17th street canal is causing further trouble, as the pumps which are pumping water out of the city are pumping it into Lake Pontchartrain, which would be held off by the levee that is now broken, negating the effectiveness of those systems. The I-10 pumps were on for days and overheated, causing valve damage, also negating their effectiveness during the flooding. A representative from St. Bernard reported "total devastation" with 40,000 homes flooded. The National Guard has begun setting up temporary morgues in select locations. He also said houses have been picked up and moved. In summary, he described the devastation as a "nightmare". He also said that 20,000 people were currently in the Superdome.
Damage to buildings and roads
On August 29, 7:40 a.m. CDT, it was reported that most of the windows on the north side of the New Orleans Hyatt have been blown out, and many other high rise buildings have extensive window damage.
A number of brick façades have collapsed into the street.
The St. Bernard Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness says the parish's two shelters at Chalmette High and St. Bernard High are suffering much damage with flooding. He said Chalmette High shelter is losing its roof, and St. Bernard High has many broken windows/glass. There are estimates of 300-plus refugees at the two sites. "We cannot see the tops of the levees!" --Director OEP, Larry Ingargiola
At least 3 fires have been reported in the New Orleans area destroying several buildings.
Over 10,000 people spent the night of August 28 at the Superdome. Power failed at the Superdome on August 29 at about 5 AM CDT as the storm center approached. About 7:15 a.m., as the eye was approaching from the south, and winds were building, but not yet at peak, a loud banging was heard inside the dome, and it began to leak, creating fears about the integrity of the structure, and causing a movement of the refugees to the more protected areas under the stands. By 8:15 a.m., it was reported that the Superdome roof had been breached, with hole estimated at 3' by 5'. At 11 a.m., a CNN reporter outside the structure reported that large sections of the waterproof roof membrane had been ripped off, and were hanging down the side of the building. The Associated Press states there are two holes, "each about 15 to 20 feet long and 4 to 5 feet wide". and that water is also making its way in at elevator shafts and other small openings [19]. As of the morning of August 30, it was reported that 20,000 people were in the Superdome.
At 11 p.m. of August 29, Mayor Ray Nagin conducted an interview with WWL [20] discussing the damage to New Orleans. He described New Orleans as "totally dark" with no clear way in or out, with eighty percent of the city flooded with some areas with water depths of 20 feet. Both airports are underwater, "three, huge boats" are run aground, along with an oil tanker which is leaking oil. The yacht club was destroyed by a fire, and that gas leaks are reported throughout the city. The Pontchartrain Expressway (referring to Interstate 10 east of the city, not the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway) is "full of water" and the Twin Spans are "totally destroyed".
A representative from St. Bernard reported "total devastation" with 40,000 homes flooded. The National Guard has begun setting up temporary morgues in select locations. He also said houses have been picked up and moved. In summary, he described the devastation as a "nightmare". He also said that 20,000 people were currently in the Superdome.
As of 11:30 p.m. CDT, WDSU-TV reported at least part of the I-10 Twin Span has completely collapsed. On WWL-TV, Mayor Nagin stated that, according to a FEMA official, the entire length of the Twin Span had been destroyed [21]. There is also a large fire involving several large building complexes. At 1:15pm CDT, WWL reported that the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway was undamaged.
On August 30 at 1:30 a.m. CDT CNN (via the vice president of Tulane University Medical Center) reported that a levee on the 17th Street Canal, which connects into Lake Pontchartrain has suffered a two city-block wide breach in it. This is allowing the water of Lake Pontchartrain, which lies some six feet above sea level, to flow downward into northern New Orleans proper, which lies between two and ten feet below sea level. The administrator reported that the water level had been rising at a rate of one inch every five minutes, and that the water had already flooded the first floor of Tulane University Medical Center and was approaching the second floor where the emergency generators for the hospital are located. The Vice President reported that the hospital needed immediate evacuation and with surface roads inundated, airlift via the heliport at the hospital will be the only way to rescue the some one thousand patients and staff still at the hospital. Charity Hospital, located east of Tulane, is also preparing to evacuate. A 200 ft breach was confirmed by New Orleans Fire Department officials to CNN at 3:16 a.m. CDT [22].
Both of these hospitals are within a half mile of the Superdome sports stadium which is being used as a shelter.
On August 30, 10:30 a.m. CDT, New Orleans was placed under martial law.
WDSU-TV reports that people remaining in the city are encouraged to evacuate via the only remaining outbound route -- the Crescent City Connection
At 3:50 PM CDT, the governor of Louisiana declared yet another mandatory evacuation for the city of New Orleans as rising flood waters outpaced rescue efforts. This evacuation included those seeking refuge inside shelters such as the Superdome.
Levee breaches
As of mid-day Monday, August 29, indications were that the eye of the storm had swept northeast and spared New Orleans the brunt of the storm. The city seemed to have escaped most of the catastrophic wind damage that was predicted.
However, at 11 a.m. the National Weather Service reported that a levee broke on the Industrial Canal, a 5.5-mile waterway that connects the Mississippi River to the Intracoastal Waterway, near the St. Bernard-Orleans Parish line (Tennessee St.) and 3 to 10 feet of flooding was possible. This area, also known as the 9th Ward area of the city, reported 3 pump failures. Mayor Ray Nagin states the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans on the east side of the city is under five to six feet of rising water, due to the failure of the pumps. New Orleans police had received more than 100 calls about people in the area trapped on their roofs. This area includes St. Bernard Parish where an estimated 40,000 homes are now flooded. A clear image of the Lower Ninth Ward can be seen here.
Early in the morning of August 30 the 17th St Canal Levee, on the border of Metairie and New Orleans proper, was reported to have collapsed, flooding most of the city under as much as 25 ft of water. Officials are planning an attempt to seal the breach by dropping 3000-lb sandbags from helicopters. [23]
"Waist deep" water is reported by WDSU-TV to be surrounding the Superdome, where the national guard is taking some of the at least 700 people rescued from flooded portions of the city. People are reported to now being allowed outside the Superdome, but they are still unable to leave the area. In the afternoon of August 30, one person jumped out of the Superdome to his death.
Reports have come in and confirmed 80% of Metro New Orleans is submerged in water.
Stranded residents
MSNBC reports that resident Chris Robinson, in a cell phone call from his home east of downtown states, "I'm not doing too good right now. The water's rising pretty fast. I got a hammer and an ax and a crowbar, but I'm holding off on breaking through the roof until the last minute. Tell someone to come get me please. I want to live." [24].
According to the Miami Herald, the flooded Ninth Ward in metro New Orleans sent 116 residents onto rooftops seeking aid. Emergency crews have been busy all day answering phone calls about urgent situations like heart attacks and pregnancies.
200 people are stranded on their rooftops in the Ninth Ward, and several bodies have been seen floating in the water [25]. Many people have been reported trapped inside their attics. Rescue efforts will be stepped up on Tuesday.
As of 10 p.m. CDT Search and rescue has begun with boats in Plaquemines, St. Bernard and N.O. East. BLANCO: Orders given to block re-entry to areas affected by Katrina. All residents of Jefferson Parish are under a boil water order. Boil water order in effect for New Orleans, except for Algiers and the CBD, due to a water main break. Entergy says 700,000 customers without power; Cleco says 70,000 have no power [26].
On the morning of August 30, two deaths were reported among those seeking shelter in the Superdome [27], including one unconfirmed suicide caused by a plunge from an upper level of the stadium [28].
As of 9:35 AM on August 30, Jefferson Parish is under martial law. Residents who have ID proving they live in the parish will be allowed to return to their homes to retrieve essentials in about a week, but will then be required to leave the parish for another month.
Signs, trees, roofs and utility poles suffered the brunt of Hurricane Katrina's fury when the storm roared across Terrebonne and Lafourche [29].
As of 9 PM Monday, Parish President Benny Rousselle has issued the following statement: "Do not return to the parish until further notice. There are no public services available and all roads are closed and impassable at this time. Parish President Benny Rousselle has requested that only employees in Drainage, Heavy Equipment, Public Right-of-Way Maintenance and Solid Waste Departments return to the parish if possible" [30].
As of 9:35 AM on August 30, Plaquemines Parish is under martial law [31].
Reports from various sources confirm that the southern part of this parish has been "reclaimed" by the Mississippi River.
3:00 P.M. - Approximately 150 people were sighted on rooftops where approx. 8-10 feet (perhaps more) of water in area. Included on roofs were WDSU reporter (and St. Bernard resident) & photographer on a Government Complex rooftop. Search and Rescue teams are being dispensed to areas hard hit. Presently no deaths have been reported as was sighted in New Orleans [32].
Florida
So far, 11 fatalities have been reported in Southern Florida, including three in Broward County, one in Miami-Dade County, and four in Miami [33]. A family of five feared dead was rescued by the United States Coast Guard [34]. Furthermore, more than 1 million customers were left without electricity [35], and damage in Florida was estimated at between $1 and $2 billion. The American Red Cross will be providing substantial support to those affected [36].
Mississippi
Harrison County, Mississippi was hit particularly hard by the hurricane and the storm surge. Its two coastal cities, Biloxi and Gulfport suffered severe damages and many casualties were reported.
In the city of Biloxi, Mississippi widespread damage was reported as several of the city's attractions were destroyed. Various restaurants have been destroyed in addition to news that several casino barges had been pulled out of the water and onto land [37]. In addition, most of the currently reported deaths (as of 6am CDT, the total death toll is 55) occurred in Biloxi. Residents that survived Hurricane Camille state that Katrina was "much worse," with storm surge reportedly reaching further inland than the previous catastrophic storm.
Four people are confirmed dead due to fallen trees. Jim Pollard, spokesman for the Harrison County emergency operations center, said there were 54 deaths in Harrison County, Mississippi, Thirty of those confirmed deaths in Harrison County were at the St. Charles apartment complex, near the beach in casino resort town of Biloxi, said Kelly Jakubic with the county's Emergency Operations Center [38] [39]. The apartment complex was reported, by local news sources, to have collapsed with dozens of residents inside. Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour said that there were reports of 50 to 80 fatalities in Harrison County. [40] A spokeman for the Biloxi city, Vincent Creel, said that hundreds may have been killed when a 30-foot (9 metre) storm surge came ashore. [41]
Initial assessments at Keesler Air Force Base, located in Biloxi, indicate extensive damage, however there do not appear to be any fatalities of base personnel and their dependents who rode out the storm in shelters on base. As well, the pet shelter remained in good shape.
Interstate 10 between Gulfport and Biloxi is impassible due to debris in the vicinity of Biloxi River.
Helicopter video from WBLT http://www.wlbt.com/ confirms the Biloxi-Ocean Springs bridge totally gone.
Mississippi newspapers are reporting that Beauvoir, the last home and Presidential Library of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, was totally destroyed. In addition to the home, the site also housed the Jefferson Davis Presidential Library and was a Biloxi tourist attraction.
Authorities in Gulfport, Mississippi told CNN that 10 feet of water cover downtown streets [42]. An Armed Forces Retirement Facility within two blocks of the coastline was flooded on Monday, forcing patients, staff, and equipment to the upper floors. Additionally, three fire stations in the city reported various degrees of structural damage.
Mississippi Emergency Management Agency officials have also recorded deaths in Hinds, Warren, and Leake counties. More than half of Entergy Mississippi's 410,000 customers lost power. Rescuers are now reaching and saving residents from rooftops [43].
Alabama
In Mobile, Alabama, Mobile Bay spilled into the downtown area to the depth of 2 to 3 feet. A flotel (floating habitat used by oil platform crews) broke loose of its moorings and slammed into the Cochrane Bridge.
More than 584,000 people are without power in Alabama.
Tornadoes have been reported near Brewton, Alabama.
Two people have died in Alabama so far, both in traffic accidents related to Katrina.
Georgia
Western Georgia has been hit with bands of Hurricane Katrina resulting in heavy rains, damaging winds and several reports of tornadoes in Polk County, Heard County, and Carroll County. In Polk County, 3 homes were reported damaged by a tornado. At around 5 p.m. EDT, a fatal tornado in Carroll County resulted in the death of one person in a vehicle collision and caused damage to as many as 30 homes [44].
Severe weather has also been reported in northeastern Georgia, including tornadoes in White County and Hall County. In White County, a tornado struck the tourist town of Helen, ripping the top floor from an Econolodge hotel and damaging businesses at a nearby outlet mall. Thirty people were displaced by the storm, but no injuries were reported. In Hall County, several homes were reported damaged by a possible tornado in Lula [45].
According to WCTV in Tallahassee, a tornado in a feeder band moved through Decatur County to the west of Bainbridge in southwestern Georgia during the evening of 29 August 2005.
As of 4:00 PM EDT on August 30, 2005, tornado watches were still in effect through most of Georgia, as well as much of Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia and Virginia.
Tennessee
Currently, at least 80,000 customers are without power in the Memphis and Nashville areas [46].
Some damage has been reported, primarily due to fallen trees. However, there have been no deaths or injuries reported in Tennessee as a result of Katrina.
Kentucky
Significant flooding has been reported in the Hopkinsville area. Many homes have been flooded and in addition, part of Christian County High School, located just outside Hopkinsville, collapsed.
One person was killed in flood waters.
The Governor of Kentucky, Ernie Fletcher has declared Christian, Todd and Trigg counties disaster areas due to flooding. [47]
Potential effects further north
Despite being downgraded to a tropical depression, isolated tropical storm force wind gusts (and possibly sustained winds once extratropical) will continue much farther inland, likely through the Ohio Valley and the eastern Great Lakes region [48], even once Katrina becomes extratropical. Tornadoes remain a possibility along the entire track, primarily on the east and southeast sides of the storm center.
In addition, heavy rainfall (3 to 8 inches/75-200mm with local amounts exceeding 10 inches/250mm) could combine with locally saturated ground from summer storms to cause potentially severe to locally catastrophic flooding in the Ohio Valley region by early Wednesday, the eastern Great Lakes region by late Wednesday and eventually even parts of Quebec and western New England by Thursday. Some areas in those regions are under moderate drought conditions [49] and could use the extra rain; however, severe flooding is still possible depending on the rainfall amounts. One potential problem spot is Toronto, Ontario which had a major flooding event on August 19 which caused $100 million in damage, and Katrina could cause further problems [50]. In addition, along the western end of the Appalachians, mudslides are also possible due to the mountainous terrain.
Other effects
Internet
The effects of the storm disrupted the OC-12 Abilene_Network Internet Link between Houston and Atlanta.
Casino industry
Katrina forced casinos along the Mississippi Gulf Coast to close and evacuate. The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino was scheduled to open next week, but will be closed indefinitely due to structural damage. The Beau Rivage was severely damaged by water that reached the third floor. The western Grand Casino Biloxi barge, containing Kid's Quest, washed across U.S. 90 and was left blocking the highway. Treasure Bay's pirate ship was washed ashore. In Gulfport, the Copa Casino barge was pushed onto land next to the the parking garage. [51] At least 14,000 people are employed at the Gulf Coast casinos.
Mississipi will lose about US$500,000 in tax revenue for each day that the Biloxi, Mississippi-area casinos are closed, and about US$140,000 per day for the South River region casinos. As a comparison, in 2004, Mississippi earned US$2.7 billion in casino revenues, behind Nevada and New Jersey (US$10.3 billion and US$4.8 billion, respectively).
Oil industry
Many analysts predicted that Katrina will interrupt oil production, importation, and refining in the Gulf area, where over 30 percent of the US oil supply and 24 percent of the natural gas supply are extracted or imported. The Louisiana Offshore Oil Port, which imports 11% of US oil consumption, closed on August 27, and Royal Dutch/Shell reports a reduction in production of 420,000 barrels per day [52]. However, the AP reported at 12:44pm CDT that this port was undamaged and would be able to resume operation within hours of getting power back. [53] Many refineries are also located in this area and may be disrupted by the hurricane.
Due to fears that the production of oil in the United States will be cut by up to one-third of normal capacity, the price of oil fluctuated greatly throughout the day. Long lines developed at some gas stations throughout the U.S. as customers rushed to buy gasoline, anticipating price increases in the wake of the storm.
The storm has caused oil activity in the Gulf (from which the United States receives 25% of its supply) to shut down. As a result of the storm, West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures reached a record high of over $70 USD.
On August 29 at 7 AM CDT, Ted Falgout, port director, Port Fourchon, Louisiana -- a key oil and gas hub 60 miles south of New Orleans on the Gulf of Mexico -- reported on CNN that the port had taken a direct hit from the hurricane. According to Falgout, this port makes up 16 to 18 percent of the US oil supply and Hurricane Katrina "will impact oil and gas infrastructure, not just short term but long term as well. The impact of the storm -- the Gulf is shut down; all of the area of the storm is shut down; a half billion dollars a day of oil and gas is unavailable".
There have been three offshore oil platforms that have broken loose. One oil rig, in dock for repairs before the storm, broke loose and hit the Cochrane/Africatown USA road bridge over the Mobile River in Mobile, Alabama. Two others are adrift in the Gulf of Mexico [54].
Space Shuttle program
The hurricane could threaten Michoud Assembly Facility and materially interrupt the production of External Tanks for the Space Shuttle, leading to a further interruption of the Shuttle flights [55]. Evan McCollum, a Lockheed Martin Space Systems spokesman in Denver has reported that "there is water leakage and potential water damage in the buildings, but there's no way to tell how much at this point" [56].
New Orleans tourism
The hurricane has struck just days before Southern Decadence, a festival which is the second-largest money-maker for New Orleans businesses after Mardi Gras. It is predicted that outside of the obvious costs of the direct impact of the storm, the city will lose millions of dollars in tourist monies because of the lack of attendance to this festival and others in coming weeks.
Price gouging
Hundreds of reports have poured into Louisiana (and other) authorities regarding price gouging on things like water and gasoline, or of hotels dishonoring reservations in favor of accepting larger offers for rooms by desperate travellers. This type of gouging is a felony offense and authorities are urging those who experience such a situation to immediately call police as they will be taken very seriously and an officer will be dispatched to the location of such an incident.
Looting
Incidents of looting have been reported in hurricane stricken areas, and in response, New Orleans, Biloxi and many other affected areas have declared 24 hour curfews [57]. New Orleans has deployed armed units to several locations within the city in response to looting. Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour has stated that he has told the "Mississippi highway patrol and the National Guard to treat looters ruthlessly" and that "looting will not be tolerated and rules of engagement will be as aggressive as the law allows" [58].
WDSU has been showing images of a Winn-Dixie store being looted on Canal Street. WWL reports looting in a Winn Dixie on Basin Street with police officials on the scene.
http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,,2-10-1462_1762418,00.html
See also
External links and sources
Disaster recovery
- Red Cross mobilizing largest relief effort ever
- Missing Person Board
- Institute for Business & Home Safety - Recovery Resources
- The Humane Society of the United States - Disaster Animal Response Teams
Live webcams
Live streaming local coverage
The status of the following news feeds is subject to change.
- 22 minute video from WLBT 3 (NBC) news helicopter, surveying damage over coastal areas in and around New Orleans. August 30, 2005, approx 4:00 p.m. Central.
- Live television coverage from WWL-TV Channel 4 (CBS) New Orleans - WMV - alternate feed via KHOU.com.
(mms://beloint.wm.llnwd.net/beloint_khou)
- Live television coverage from WWL-TV Channel 4 (CBS) New Orleans - WMV - Currently not working.
(mms://beloint.wm.llnwd.net/beloint_wwltv)
- Live television coverage from WDSU-TV Channel 6 (NBC) New Orleans - WMV - currently offline
(mms://a203.l1291238202.c12912.g.lm.akamaistream.net/D/203/12912/v0001/reflector:38841)
- Live television coverage from WAPT-TV Channel 16 (ABC) Jackson, Mississippi - WMV - currently broadcasting footage from WDSU-TV Channel 6 above.
(mms://a844.l1291238843.c12912.g.lm.akamaistream.net/D/844/12912/v0001/reflector:38843)
- Live television coverage from WLOX-TV Channel 13 (ABC) Biloxi, MS - WMV (Station is off the air; studios heavily damaged from Katrina)
(mms://a432.l1243132943.c12431.n.lm.akamaistream.net/D/432/12431/v0001/reflector:32943)
- Live television coverage from WKRG-TV Channel 5 (CBS) Mobile, AL - WMV
(mms://wmbcast.mgeneral.speedera.net/wmbcast.mgeneral/wmbcast_mgeneral_aug262005_1435_95518)
(The mms: URLs in parenthesis are links to the direct streams, provided for users of other operating systems than Microsoft Windows. Linux users can use the mplayer media player to play these streams. Many of the streams are being repeated for public consumption by Akamai.)
References
- National Hurricane Center
- Weather Channel
- The Most Intense Hurricanes in the United States 1851-2004
- Raw wind buoy data from NDBC via NOAA
- Raw Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Data from the 53rd Weather Recon Wing
- annular hurricane (PDF)
Government
- Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
- Mississippi Emergency Management Agency
- Live data from National Weather Service radar in New Orleans
- Louisiana Traffic Information
- Road Closures
- St. Bernard Parish Government Website
Miscellaneous
- New Orleans Metroblog
- Hurricane discussion blog
- Tropical Storm Risk
- Hurricane Risk for New Orleans
- Satellite image overlay for use in Google Earth
- Dr. Jeff Masters, Director of Meteorology, Weather Blog (updates on Hurricane Katrina)
- Hurricane Katrina Blog
- Astronomy Picture of the Day for 29 August 2005
- A huge aerial shot of Hurricane Katrina (6200x8000 pixels and 8.4 MB)
- Hurricane Katrina Update: The Event that Introduces Peak Oil to a Nation
- Time Magazine: Is Global Warming Fueling Katrina?
