Cat 5 Hurricane Katrina - Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation

Shannon · 08-28-2005, 09:56 AM

I've been moderately following Hurricane Katrina ever since I first heard word about it threatening Florida. However, the last time I'd checked it was "only" a Category 3. Well, gang, she's now a Category 5 Hurricane bearing down on New Orleans.

Our thoughts are with those evacuating, those who are (rather foolhardy, imho) staying behind, and all their family and friends, wherever they may be in the USA/world. This one looks quite nasty... I hope she's more roar than bite...

For the latest on Hurricane Katrina, visit:

Weather.com
NOAA's National Hurricane Center
WWLTV (A local New Orleans TV station)
Hurricane Katrina coverage on FLHurricane.com (Central Florida Hurricane Center)

Shannon · 08-28-2005, 11:08 AM

In case you're wondering why it's newsworthy, any moreso than any other large hurricane, New Orleans sits 6 feet below sea level and a "A direct hit from a powerful hurricane on New Orleans could furnish perhaps the largest natural catastrophe ever experienced on U.S. soil."

If you're up to it, there's all sorts of discussion on the storm (including from folks who live in New Orleans and neighboring areas, and those who are in FEMA or with other emergency services), over at MetaFilter.

Shannon · 08-28-2005, 11:43 AM

From the latest NOAA weather summary, after another USAF Hurricane Hunter aircraft flew through Hurricane Katrina:

Quote:

KATRINA IS COMPARABLE IN INTENSITY TO HURRICANE CAMILLE OF 1969...ONLY LARGER.

If you don't remember Hurricane Camille, read here --> Wikipedia: Hurricane Camille

Camille had the second lowest, if not the lowest, pressure upon landfall of any U.S. landfalling storm. She also created the highest storm surge ever encountered in the U.S. (24 feet -- Hurriane Katrina is expected to create *25 feet* of storm surge when it landfalls on Monday morning.)

In terms of injuries, loss of life and economic impact, Camille did the following... Several hundred people died, including many who perished in flooding after the storm made landfall.

Quote:

In all, 8,931 people were injured, 5,662 homes were destroyed, and 13,915 homes experienced major damage, with many of the fatalities being coastal residents who had refused to evacuate. The total estimated cost of damage was $1.42 billion 1969 dollars, or 6.1 billion 1996 dollars.

Katrina is looking like she very might well do much, much worse.

Shannon · 09-01-2005, 02:24 AM

No doubt you've all seen the news reports, so that's why I haven't posted any follow-ups. Katrina was indeed a monster, and her effects will be felt for years to come... just like other killers (Andrew, Camille, Ivan, etc.)

Please do what you can to help...

In case you hadn't heard:
Martial law declared in New Orleans.