Ivan! Jeanne! & Karl & Dennis The Menace & Katrina

I think the superdome could be disastrous too. …if the roof blows off... I'm holding vigil that all will be well.

I have never heard the weather specialists, scientists and everyone involved say some of the things I've heard tonight.

They were checking each person individually for "contraband" (sharp items, weapons) before letting them enterthe Superdome--but even so--you get a bunch of people together in a situation like this--and I'd almost rather be outside.

Almost.

They may be there for quite a while.

I can't get over the horrible scenario.

Well, let's start with the bathroom situation...

that sounds like I'm trying to be funny but no.

Anyone know how far it is to high ground? Some parts of the city are higher than others, I take it..

I'm terrified for all these people. Cripes, I can't even go to sleep. I believe the results of this disaster will be felt for years to come.

I've lived in FL for 35 years, and heard stories of Camille from older relatives. Katrina is way bigger than Camille.

I'm well out of any predicted path, and I'm so afraid for my fellow human beings. I don't know what else to say.

They did actually say (a guy in a plane in the eye) that Katrina's as strong as Camille, but much bigger. I'm worried about the people in the dome. None of that area is above sea level--although the dome is the highest location in the enclosed city area.

It's all below sea level.

It's scary to hear the mayor and builders and FEMA say they don't know if the dome can bear up under Katrina.

Osso, I believe New Orleans is a below sea-level bowl.

I've heard people have been unable to get out. Their levies will only make things worse for them, having drained their buffer wetlands. The flood will have nowhere else to go.

I understand... I think disease and lack of fresh water after the storm will kill any survivors. Really.

70% is below sea level. The current storm surge projections show it to be at least 20 ft. The tallest levy is only 18... and that does NOT account for the 20 to 40 ft waves a storm of this magnitude creates. Those same levies may act to keep the water in in the worst case scenario. I've read; there is no natural escape for the water, so parts of the City may be underwater for as long as 6 months. Existing pumps will be useless, and in the event the bowl fills, ALL pumps are basically useless. One estimate said it would take a half mile of the levy being leveled for that much water to dissipate in 24 hours. 100ft, it would take a month. Meanwhile, all the septic systems, oil and gas storage and all manner of other crap will be mixing in the world's largest cesspool. If this thing doesn't turn; we may well be saying goodbye to NO permanently. Seems like a pretty good idea to me. Galveston is the same kind of time-bomb, whose residents should probably be relocated as well. This sucks. :sad:

I heard that there is a possibility that the field will be flooded.

Simulated storm surge in New Orleans on NWS website.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/surge/new_orleans.shtml

I just watched an interview with an NO city manager who predicted that the french quarter might be a total loss.
I'm not a prayin man, but my thoughts are with those folks tonight.

My husband has been to New Orleans (sorry to say I haven't), and said the whole city should be razed. So when I heard about Katrina I told him his wish may come true.

It ain't so funny. So many people will suffer & die. I (and husband) feel nothing but sorrow for them.

OBill--

Isn't the area between the levees all below sea level? Greater N.O.--outside the levees may be above...?

Two things, both sort of inappropriate to bring up -

one, sometime earlier today when I was reading google's headlines every so often, I read a comment from a woman who was staying at a hotel with her husband, and they were in a cafe out front. She was wearing a lewd tee shirt from Bourbon Street and quipped that she didn't want to die in that tee shirt.

another is that humans are always picking tough places to build - this oddly reminds me of Bangladesh floods. And then engineering doesn't always help - as in crashing mudslides in saturated mountain areas bringing engineering structures along with the mud... rather like the failed levee thing Boris Kitten was describing.

I have this thing myself about living lightly on the land - that if you build on a mountain or beach, a tent is best or small cabin. (Easy for me to say, I know.) People keep erecting giant houses in a fire ecology... (rant/tangent)

But New Orleans has been there a long time with a thick history and I won't go blaming the inhabitants. Wonder a bit about all those tall business buildings though... seems odd regional planning. (See, I said it was inappropriate.. not the time to talk about this.)

It is one of the historically richest cities in the country. Has a reputation for pure evil, but that's part of the charm--as long as you can leave not long after arrival. The cemetaries alone are a wealth of beauty, allure. The buildings--some are as old as the US--maybe older.

The Voodoo shops...

The French Quarter is one of the neatest areas I've ever seen.

The kids dancing on the street for money--other street performers, the Cajun flavor, the world class restaurants.

I really can't believe we may lose it forever.

I hear you, Osso. I've said the same thing about people building on the NC coast. And, re-building. And, re-building...

I haven't been there, obviously, but I have a lot of friends who really like it. One of my Venice neighbors used to go there twice a year to shop for her antique and costume design business. I'm sure I'd like it, I like old cemetaries and interesting shops, Cajan music, good restaurants..
am not much of a mardi gras type - I'd go there if I could when the scene is quieter.

I haven't been to the south at all. There is a lot I'd like to see.

NC coasts, yes, I've read about that as a similar problem, re giant houses that get battered..

no wonder insurance...

but then one gets into the question of legislating against this and that, and all the arguments pro and con. I see some points on both sides, but more on the build lightly but well side.

So, to get back to horribleness, are the less well off people in worse flood potential areas at the low part of the bowl, or is there a low part of the bowl?

well, what do I think, you all have data at hand? just talking.

I don't know the city's layout. I was just parroting the70% below sea-level stat because I've encountered it repeatedly today.

I stayed in my 4rth floor Condo (25 story high rise) for 2 near miss Cat 3's last year. The place is built like a bomb shelter, but still shook violently in 100 mph winds. I remember reading something like; with wind, every 10 mph increase is like double the intensity or something to that effect. 160 sustained is insane and you would NEVER catch me trying to ride out any storm greater than Cat 3. Even without the bowl-effect, this storm is a deadly monster unleashing greater energy than an atomic bomb. This isn't going to have a happy ending.