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Devastation from Katrina Will Be Catastrophic

Update: Katrina may be our "Asian Tsunami." One other point: we need to stop destroying the Louisiana wetland which serves as a buffer. More on that here.

"While the many are concerned with how the hurricane will effect the price and production the oil and gas - we are also concerned about the people and the precious habitat that could be destroyed as Hurricane Katrina makes land fall." said Sidney Coffee, Executive Assistant to the Governor for Coastal Activities. "The country depends on the resources provided by coastal Louisiana - the cargo and shipping industries, and the millions of barrels of oil and gas that flow through the terminals and pipelines found throughout America's WETLAND," continued Coffee "A direct hit from a storm like Hurricane Katrina could be devastating, and this danger is increased by the continued loss of our wetlands."

Katrina will cut oil production in the gulf coast of Mexico area by one-third.

U.S. energy companies said U.S. Gulf of Mexico crude oil output was cut by more than one-third on Saturday as Hurricane Katrina appeared poised to charge through central production areas toward New Orleans. The Gulf of Mexico is home to roughly a quarter of U.S. domestic oil and gas output, with a capacity to produce about 1.5 million barrels per day of crude and 12.3 billion cubic feet per day of gas.

Accuweather says where Katrina crosses the coast, it will resemble a war zone:

The worst part of the eye wall is approximately 25 miles in diameter. Where it crosses the coast, it will look like a war zone. The coastline will be completely inundated by a 20 to 25 foot storm surge and winds are likely to top 140 mph. All structures not built to withstand the fury of a major hurricane will be destroyed. Trees will be uprooted and power lines will come down. The storm will have huge financial impact. Damage caused by Katrina will be in the billions, and the evacuation of oil rigs in the Gulf will have at least some effect on the price of gasoline.

Where is the Louisiana National Guard? Swing State Project says they are in Iraq, along with a lot of equipment that would be helpful in this crisis. ABC News reported Aug. 1:

When members of the Louisiana National Guard left for Iraq in October, they took a lot equipment with them. Dozens of high water vehicles, humvees, refuelers and generators are now abroad, and in the event of a major natural disaster that, could be a problem.

"The National Guard needs that equipment back home to support the homeland security mission," said Lt. Colonel Pete Schneider with the LA National Guard.

Update: Allstate and other insurers may face $30 billion in claims.

< Katrina May Turn New Orleans Into Atlantis | Katrina Casualties - 3 Nursing Home Patients Die >
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    Angie, I agree with you. I believe that the mayor of Biloxi Mississippi was inappropriate in comparing Hurricane Katrina to the Asian Tsunami that occurred in late 2004. Both were tragic natural disasters, but there really is no comparison as to the devastation caused by the tsunami (and hopefully there never will be). The question remains as to whether harm is done by such comments. Does this really effect those hurt by the tsunami over 8 months ago, or does it add weight to a tragic event in the states? I posted a similar entry specifically on this area of discussion on my weblog and I invite anyone to comment there as well.

    re: tsunami... Flyover video of Biloxi and Gulfport looks very similar to the tsunami damage from last December. In fact it looks worse. The storm surge there was probably in the 25-30 foot range. The death toll could end up in the hundreds. It was as bad at the local level as anything the tsunami generated, just on a much smaller geographical scale. I don't think the Hiroshima comparison by Haley Barbour was valid, though. re: National Guard The point is that the guard units should be home providing security from looting, etc., rather than in Iraq for reasons no one can explain. What good are they doing the people who are stuck on their rooftops or having their stores cleaned out by looters? Speaking of Iraq...another man made tragedy there today.

    My heart, thoughts, and prayers go out to all of those affected directly as well as indirectly. Let us all be mineful for that our lord and savior makes no mistakes. Though we never fully understand certain situations or circumstances god is still in charge!

    The National Guard's main mission isn't for natural disasters. The National Guard's main mission is for military support. Thank Pres Slick for reorganizing the NG and making them "round out" units for the Regular Army; that is their main mission. Should we not have called up the NG for WWII? Should they have remained in the US just in case an earthquake hit SF or a hurricane hit Florida? Get real and study history and current events.

    nofiction...Perhaps you can tell us how the National Guard are doing us more good in Iraq right now than they would be doing back here where we need them? And please avoid the bullsheeit WWII comparisons. Thank you.

    Ernetesto... The NG is helping out in Iraq by: reducing the number of terrorists that that want to cut your child's head from their torso.

    Re: Devastation from Katrina Will Be Catastrophic (none / 0) (#1)
    by DawesFred60 on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:52 PM EST
    I only want to know what is Bush doing about this Hurricane and yes where is the national guard?

    Fred, as someone who has family in New Orleans, Abita Springs, Centerville, and Baton Rouge, let me suggest you stick your politics up your *ss and follow it with some south Louisiana peppers. TL, the wetlands are not the problem - if 22" of rain dumps in the south it's going to flood. (Besides, it's still mostly swamp and farmland down there - just like it's been for 150 years.) The problem is that the levees, dams, and drainage have been systematically "improved" and "made more efficient" over the years. When I was a kid New Orleans had 5-7 layers of levee protecting it, of different heights, distance from the city, etc. Now it has 2-3, though they are higher. The big problem is that if one goes.... In any case, the d*mn city is 8" or more below sea level anyway. On the upside, my Antie Amy is safe in Beaumont, and the rest are too d*mn mean to drown. -C

    Re: Devastation from Katrina Will Be Catastrophic (none / 0) (#3)
    by squeaky on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:52 PM EST
    cliff-I have close friends in New Orleans, who also have evacuated. Fred Dawes questions are quite sobering and appropriate, for all of America, not just NO.

    Re: Devastation from Katrina Will Be Catastrophic (none / 0) (#4)
    by scarshapedstar on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:52 PM EST
    Cliff, as someone who lives 40 miles of New Orleans, no, up yours. There isn't nearly enough preparation here, probably because this is the least cared-about state in the Union, and I can't help but think that it would be nice to have the Guard here instead of installing a theocracy overseas.

    I think I must be the only one who has an issue with it being referred to as our "tsunami". What happened in December was horrible. We cannot compare that event to this. The people of Louisiana have time to evacuate. The people hit by the tsunami has NO warning. They had no resources to help them recover. We have many. Our people right now are getting away to safety. The death toll will in no way compare to the deaths in December. Can we stop trying to steal another's tragedy and use it as our own.

    Re: Devastation from Katrina Will Be Catastrophic (none / 0) (#6)
    by squeaky on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:52 PM EST
    Angie-I do not think anyone is trying to hi-jack the devastating Tsunami in December, as the comparison is only a wake up call for all those who think staying is a good idea. Katrina maybe one of the worst hurricane ever as he tsunami was one of the worst tsunami ever. The comparison may in fact encourage people to learn about the devastation the December tsunami wreaked.

    Re: Devastation from Katrina Will Be Catastrophic (none / 0) (#7)
    by DawesFred60 on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:53 PM EST
    cliff my sisters in new orleans and don't use bad words, and a lot of people are asking about bush.

    Re: Devastation from Katrina Will Be Catastrophic (none / 0) (#8)
    by Kitt on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:53 PM EST
    Wellll, I don't know a soul in New Orleans and I don't know nothing about those wetlands. I just find it amazing that anyone would live below sea level.

    Re: Devastation from Katrina Will Be Catastrophic (none / 0) (#9)
    by Wile ECoyote on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:02:53 PM EST
    Fred and everyone else wanking about this: while you are repetively asking where bush is (on the ranch, out of the way. He'll stick his nose in it with all the other politicians when it blows over), how about showing a link when, during a natural disaster, the entire state's national guard has been mobilized. Hasn't happened. There is alway a unit away in training, or deployed. (National guard units have been in Kosovo since the beginning). Theres alway various units over in the pacific theater or Europe for different reasons (combat training, civil affairs projects, etc). As someone who will be making flights into the area carrying supplies and personnel (active duty and reserve or national guard), I am sure there will be enough people in cammies or Navy dungarees there when push comes to shove.

    nofiction...if you believe even half the sheeit you spew then I have some nice waterfront property in NOLA to sell you.