Scientists Predicted the Devastation
The predictions of the magnitude of destruction from a large hurricane on the New Orleans region is, in a word, eerie.
From National Geographic - October 2004:
"Thousands drowned in the murky brew that was soon contaminated by sewage and industrial waste. Thousands more who survived the flood later perished from dehydration and disease as they waited to be rescued. It took two months to pump the city dry, and by then the Big Easy was buried under a blanket of putrid sediment, a million people were homeless, and 50,000 were dead. It was the worst natural disaster in the history of the United States.
"When did this calamity happen? It hasn't—yet. But the doomsday scenario is not far-fetched. "
Link: [National Geographic Article]
From Popular Mechanics - September 11, 2001 [The date of this article is creepy in itself !!!]:
"During a strong hurricane, the city could be inundated with water blocking all streets in and out for days, leaving people stranded without electricity and access to clean drinking water. Many also could die because the city has few buildings that could withstand the sustained 96- to 100-mph winds and 6- to 8-ft. storm surges of a Category 2 hurricane. Moving to higher elevations would be just as dangerous as staying on low ground. "
Link: [Popular Mechanics Article]
From American Radio Works - September 2002:
"Studies suggest that there's roughly a one in six chance that a killer hurricane will strike New Orleans over the next 50 years.
[...]
"Basically, the part of New Orleans that most Americans—most people around the world—think is New Orleans, would disappear."
Link: [American Radio Works Article]
Reading these has given me goosebumps.
From National Geographic - October 2004:
"Thousands drowned in the murky brew that was soon contaminated by sewage and industrial waste. Thousands more who survived the flood later perished from dehydration and disease as they waited to be rescued. It took two months to pump the city dry, and by then the Big Easy was buried under a blanket of putrid sediment, a million people were homeless, and 50,000 were dead. It was the worst natural disaster in the history of the United States.
"When did this calamity happen? It hasn't—yet. But the doomsday scenario is not far-fetched. "
Link: [National Geographic Article]
From Popular Mechanics - September 11, 2001 [The date of this article is creepy in itself !!!]:
"During a strong hurricane, the city could be inundated with water blocking all streets in and out for days, leaving people stranded without electricity and access to clean drinking water. Many also could die because the city has few buildings that could withstand the sustained 96- to 100-mph winds and 6- to 8-ft. storm surges of a Category 2 hurricane. Moving to higher elevations would be just as dangerous as staying on low ground. "
Link: [Popular Mechanics Article]
From American Radio Works - September 2002:
"Studies suggest that there's roughly a one in six chance that a killer hurricane will strike New Orleans over the next 50 years.
[...]
"Basically, the part of New Orleans that most Americans—most people around the world—think is New Orleans, would disappear."
Link: [American Radio Works Article]
Reading these has given me goosebumps.
posted by Andrea at 16:11
1 Comments:
Babydoll,
Everyone in New Orleans has been predicting a flood since Louis Armstrong played on Rampart street before the Navy closed and bulldozed the area.
All residents, including Priestess Miriam, the current voodoo queen, have known this for years.
Yes, hurricane is a tragedy.
Yes, government responded too slow
Yes, Canada had volunteers on the scene before the US govt.
But you have to filter some of this, and realize how people in New Orleans live. Ya gotta feel it, know it, to understand.
Filter the hype, talk to the people, then try to help them.
People have been flooded out of there since the Caddo indians in 1700. A pre-Katrina visit to NO would have introduced you to the sense of "when the big one comes" that everyone in the Big Easy understood.
I did hear that Marie Laveau's tomb stayed dry the entire time. So there is still some hope.
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