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08/29/2005: Our thoughts are with....
The unfortunates in Hurricane Katrina's path at this time. It doesn't look like things will be very pleasant in the Crescent City for quite a while to come:
When Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans on Monday, it could turn one of America's most charming cities into a vast cesspool tainted with toxic chemicals, human waste and even coffins released by floodwaters from the city's legendary cemeteries.Some of the comparisons being made aren't exactly reassuring:
"We need to recognize we may be about to experience our equivalent of the Asian tsunami, in terms of the damage and the numbers of people that can be killed," said Ivor van Heerden, director of the Louisiana State University Public Health Research Center in Baton Rouge.As if that isn't bad enough, van Heerden went on to leave us with this delightful picture:
Some 25 feet of standing water is expected in many parts of the city -- almost twice the height of the average home -- and computer models suggest that more than 80 percent of buildings would be badly damaged or destroyed, he said.
"So, imagine you're the poor person who decides not to evacuate: Your house will disintegrate around you. The best you'll be able to do is hang on to a light pole, and while you're hanging on, the fire ants from all the mounds -- of which there is two per yard on average -- will clamber up that same pole. And, eventually, the fire ants will win."Puts a new perspective on Monday being the worst day of the week, doesn't it?
Len on 08.29.05 @ 06:13 AM CST
