It seems that saying New Orleans was 'spared' was really premature. Eighty percent of the city is underwater and one of the levees was breached. The last Base10 heard, the Army Corp of Engineers had committed every possible resource to closing the breach.

Base10 saw some of the rescues. In one scene, a Coast Guardsman was lowered to the rooftop of a submerged house and broke through the roof with an axe to rescue a mother and child.

In other storm news, prisoners were rioting and had taken hostages in a New Orleans prison. In addition, at least two parishes have declared martial law. There are also reports of widespread looting.

The Superdome--whose roof had breached during the storm--was being used to house those rescued. The situation there was getting worse as well with barely working sanitary facilities. (It is safe to say that the Saints will miss their season opener).

Declaring a state of emergency, residents could return only with photo I’D and only temporarily to retrieve personal effects. Otherwise, residents were told to stay away for an entire month. Experts believe the death toll will be well into the hundreds and insurance commentators expect losses to exceed $26 billion.

Once again, Base10's prayers go out to the victims of this calamity.

- posted by Base10 @ 11:26 AM