Katrina

[yankeeyosh]

The latest track of Hurricane Katrina takes it very close to the City of New Orleans as a category four storm. I shudder to think what will happen if it takes a path just a tad to the west of this. This is NOT an exaggeration, but if it west by 30 miles of this path, it will be much, much worse than "9-11" in terms of human casualties...the city is below sea level, and it will be impossible to evacuate the entire City, since many do not have vehicles. The City will be under 20 feet of water, and it will take months for the water to be completely pumped out, thus making it uninhabitable.

Not to mention the economic toll. Oil production will probably be cut off at least temporarily. Although I believe that if it is cut off, it will be back running quickly, there could be some repercussions in terms of even higher oil prices, and not to mention the devastation of a large city's infrastructure.

This path is not set in stone, and there will probably be shifts over the next few days. But this could be a catastrophe which may be in the making...

By the way, a cool satellite loop of the storm can be found here:

http://www.rap.ucar.edu/weather/satellite/displaySat.php?region=TPA&itype=irbw&size=large&endDate=20050827&endTime=-1&duration=6

[SunDevil]

That is exactly what I was thinking this morning when they said it might hit New Orleans as a caterogy 4 or 5 storm. I've seen them take a 20 foot pole on Borbon street and saw that the second story of these buildings will be under water.

They had better start evacuating the city, and it isn't going to be good Monday morning.

[CHS]

Yes, everything you have said is correct. I am about 20 miles from the city of New Orleans in Metairie (N.O. Suburb). We are leaving in a couple of hours to drive to Arkansas. I am expecting not to able to come back home for prob. 2-4 weeks if not MUCH more...

Both of my parents are from New Orleans and I have lived here since I was around 5. They have been talking about this scenerio forever. There will be catastrophic damage and many stupid people will die who just refuse to leave.

The entire New Orleans area is like a big bowl. If the water tops the levee system it will just sit in the city and mix with various chemicals/gas + anything else you would find in homes/businesses. Plus, there will be animals/bugs/rodents/insects/snakes who will be fighting for a "dry" spot (pref. on rooftops or higher structures.

No matter where this hits, it is going to be VERY VERY VERY VERY bad.

I hope you have pics. if you ever visited New Orleans because it will prob. never look like that again.

This sucks :cry:

[dazed]

omg. please be safe CHS and anyone else in that area!! this is a category 5 'cane now!! i lived through andrew in '92 and believe me, a cat. 5 is no laughing matter. i'm talking entire neighborhoods of flattened houses and loss of life. and new orleans sitting below sea level makes it that much worse.

[labrat2111]

I think this is one of those times even if you're not real religious to pray to God and get the hell out of there. With the way it has strengthened this is going to be very bad unless the wind speeds drop before it hits land or it slides to the east or west sparing New Orleans the worst.

[Mad Dawg]

With the way it has strengthened this is going to be very bad unless the wind speeds drop before it hits landDon't count on it weakening. Surface temps in the Gulf of Mexico are in excess of 90-degrees right now. That's why this thing has strengthened so quickly. The even worse news for New Orleans is that it still has 200 miles of warm water to traverse.
or it slides to the east or west sparing New Orleans the worst.Preferrably east. If it goes west New Orleans could still take a strong hit from the prevailing winds wall. The storm surge can sometimes be worse there than at the eye. Even if it does move east of the city, it could still dump a shitload of rain. Unfortunately this storm is a slow mover.

I grew up along the Gulf Coast of Texas near the Louisiana border. I have been through my fair share of hurricanes and tropical storms. Being all too familiar with the unique geography and the culture of New Orleans, this thing is definitely shaping up to be the worst case scenario scientists have warned about since Betsy submerged the city in the 60's, and Betsy was only a Category 3 storm. I have real concerns that this could be worse than the storm that hit Galveston in 1900. That storm submerged the whole of Galveston Island and killed over 8,000 people, to this day the worst US natural disaster in terms of loss of life.

[Taza Tikha]

Good thing you're evacuating. My folks are being pretty blase about it. They've lived in the area for years and every time A Big Bad Storm threatens, it either veers off or weakens significantly before hitting land. We'll see what happens.

[yankeeyosh]

Preferrably east. If it goes west New Orleans could still take a strong hit from the prevailing winds wall. The storm surge can sometimes be worse there than at the eye. Even if it does move east of the city, it could still dump a shitload of rain. Unfortunately this storm is a slow mover.


To elaborate, east would be better because the strongest side is the northeast quadrant...you can think of a storm's intensity by the rotational speed, or the speed the system is circulating, plus the translational speed, or how fast it is moving. On the west side, the translational vector is from the south, since the storm is moving from south to north, whereas the rotational speed is from the north, due to the counterclockwise flow. Thus, there is a slight net reduction of the winds on this side.

However, if it is a smidge east of the City, it could be devastating since even though the winds will be on the weaker side, winds from the north will push water from Lake Ponchatrain into the City.

The forecast track takes it to 89.9 W, and the City center is 90.0 W. So this would indeed be a worst case if this verifies.

It may have peaked, so hopefully it will pull a Lili/Opal/Dennis and weaken a bit before landfall. But major hurricane status is basically guaranteed at this point.

[Bruiser]

I graduated cum laude with a B.S. in Meteorology. I'm also a praying man.

God help New Orleans, and God save those poor folk who can't get away. :torn:

[asm198]

My thoughts have been with New Orleans since Sunday afternoon. From what I've seen on radar and stuff, this is the bad storm that has been talked about for as long as I can remember. I was telling my boyfriend earlier today that I wish we had visited there before this happened, because it's likely it will never be the same.

I agree with Yankeeyosh, it would be helpful if Katrina went to the east. Not that it would help other cities, but New Orleans would be the most devistated with something like this, just because it can't handle a category 5 storm.

[winneythepooh7]

This is some pretty scary stuff. I hope everyone in that area makes it out okay.

[Mad Dawg]

Woke up this morning to good news... Katrina did go east of New Orleans, and she did weaken before landfall. A Category 4 storm is still no laughing matter, but New Orleans seems to have been spared the worst case scenario for now.

It will be a while before we know the true cost of Katrina, but we can be sure New Orleans did not escape completely unscathed. Also, parishes to the east and the Mississippi Coast got hammered. While not the population center New Orleans is, these areas are home to many.

[yankeeyosh]

Is it just me, but is anyone else a bit disappointed in the coverage of the storm; particularly by the networks? I just moved into my apartment, and therefore don't have cable (what lousy timing!), and can only rely on NBC and FOX. You'd think that these networks would at least have special reports once in a while, but no, they'd rather show their "must see TV" than cover the worst hurricane to strike the US in many years. OK, this was not the catastrophe which would level New Orleans and cause tens of thousands of deaths, thank G-d. But this will likely be the deadliest natural disaster in the US since the 'sixties...possibly passing Agnes and Camille. And the damage isn't over yet, since Lake Ponchatrain is still spilling over its banks. The French Quarter is now under water and basically the City of New Orleans is in as close to a state of chaos as you can get nowadays. NOT everyone has cable TV!!! But Fear Factor and Paris Hilton are more important...

[kimmer23]

i was supposed to go to new orleans around halloween for a wedding (also halloween is like another mardi gras). i dont know now... me and alan have been able to contact one person we know down there. she lives in the north part of louisiana and nothing happened there. but we know some other people about 45 min away from new orleans and we havent been able to reach them yet. i doubt if the city will ever be the same again...

[HereComes30]

I think it will be interesting to see if...

1. gas prices sky rocket... Just heard a gas truck driver on the radio talking about how there might be a panic even though there is plenty of gas in storage at the various locations for the major oil companies...but that panic of not knowing the impact of the hurricane on future production might send the price up

2. if gas prices come back down after things are back to normal... or will our willingness to pay any price just make companies greedy?

3. Will celebrities donate money to relief and have a relief concert or is it only good PR when it is for a country overseas?

4. Will other countries send resources, people, supplies, and money to get us back on our feet like we always do for so many countries throughout the world? I am thinking Canada and England might but that will be it...as usual.

[paiger81]

Aw, this sucks ass. I went to Grand Isle, La about a month ago for a fishing tourney. The town was your basic do nothing but fish beach town, but our little hotel was cool. We were in the "Lighthouse Room" which was completely themed and had a lighthouse built right in the middle of the room. We just found out this morning that the entire hotel got knocked down when Katrina hit.

[J-girl]

Wow really awful. I was just looking at the pictures and sucks to see all your neighbourhood washed away.

[Mad Dawg]

You know the silver lining to every natural disaster is that it brings people together. Neighbors helping neighbors, friendships being made that would not have otherwise existed and of course the bonds forged in the fires of devastation and chaos. No man is an island, and it is times like these when we are reminded of that fact.

This guy (http://news.yahoo.com/photo/050830/480/ladm10908301723) knows EXACTLY what I am talking about.

[J-girl]

*shakes head*

I know people are more important but I was just looking at the architecture of New Orleans!!! Is all that destroyed?!?!?! :(

[paiger81]

Right now, I don't know if they know what is still standing and what is knocked down. New Orleans is one of my favorite cities to visit and I'm so completely upset that it may be partially gone.

[MollyMe]

The situation is so sad.
It is going to be a long, long while before that area is back to normal.

[Deadend]

Don't count on it weakening. Surface temps in the Gulf of Mexico are in excess of 90-degrees right now.

But remember... global warming isn't real.....


I heard a guy crying on the radio today saying "this was all I had". Very sad.

[Taza Tikha]

Phones are out. Still waiting to hear from the parents...Nothing like seeing what's left of your hometown on CNN.

[paiger81]

I heard a guy crying on the radio today saying "this was all I had". Very sad.

I think that was the guy whose wife told him to let go of her, and to take care of the kids & grandkids. That dude had me in a crying jag last night. :torn:

[RayJ1977]

I'm rather disturbed by the whole thing. I went to N.O. in April with my girlfriend and had the best time and even thought it would be a great place to live. I hope the city recovers and recovers well. I had planned on going back next spring, but I doubt it will be that much fun and I'll bet there will still be a lot of rebuilding to do. I may wait until 2007 to return. I loved that place.

[HereComes30]

Just look at the devestation to the infrastructure....MAJOR bridges completely destroyed...all other bridges will need to be evaluated for integrity...then think of all the damage to the roads, water lines, power lines, etc

And it a building is completely submerged in water, is it a total loss? If so that is a lot of buildings and houses that are gone.

Not to mention then all of the houses to rebuild, goods to replace, dead to bury, sick to heal, levies to repair, etc.

I have a feeling the flooding will last for quite awhile too because where does all of the rain water that moved north eventually go? Down the Mississippi wich goes where? Right to the flooded area. Plus it is the sea that is flooded not a river...when will the sea return to normal?

This is going to be a very long, very difficult, and very costly process.

[RayJ1977]

That's the thing I don't know how they fix. The water is ocean water that overran the levy. New orleans effectively sits below sea level between a wall that holds back the ocean and a wall that holds back the mississippi. The walls broke joining the two bodies of water and you have a New Orleans stew, and you're essentially asking someone to pick up part of the ocean and move it out of the area. Good luck with that.

[HereComes30]

Ladies and gentleman....welcome to the New New Orleans...now located 200 miles north of the previous location.

[labrat2111]

Ladies and gentleman....welcome to the New New Orleans...now located 200 miles north of the previous location.

But aren't they supposed to build it overtop the old New Orleans like New New York?

[cameralady]

many stupid people will die who just refuse to leave.

I read somewhere that some poor people couldn't afford to leave. Couldn't the police/National Guard/some agency, force these people to leave and transport them out? It's sad to see people trapped on their rooftops just because they have no where to go and can't afford to evacuate.

[heatherf]

Yes, I had heard that 1 in 6 people either didn't have cars (a way out), and some astronomical percentage of the number of people living below the poverty line.

My only thing is- fine people are looting. What they should be doing is stealing boats! Steal the boats...then it's like shelter, transportation...etc.

[HereComes30]

I can see looting food...it is going to go bad anyway...so it will be a loss and you need to survive...but looting clothes and stereos and everything else you can get your hands on is just stupid. And your picture is on TV and in the newspaper you morons! Not to mention the increased burden you now put on your own community. But I guess there will always be morons around and always be people that just out for themselves and looking to take advantage of situations.

[Mad Dawg]

I read somewhere that some poor people couldn't afford to leave. Couldn't the police/National Guard/some agency, force these people to leave and transport them out? It's sad to see people trapped on their rooftops just because they have no where to go and can't afford to evacuate.The National Guard was there, moving them to the Louisiana Super Dome. Apparently now moving them to the Astrodome in Houston. Unfortunately it's difficult to comb through a city and make certain you have everyone.

[cameralady]

Was a mandatory evacuation order given before the hurricane hit?

[Mad Dawg]

Was a mandatory evacuation order given before the hurricane hit?Yes. That order was given by the mayor of New Orleans both before and after the hurricane. Those who could not be evacuated for whatever reasons were excluded. This is why the Super Dome is being used as a shelter, and hospitals and high rise hotels were exempted from the order.

[cameralady]

high rise hotels

I could understand the exemption for hospitals by why hotels?

What angers me are the people who are looting. Who thinks about "smash and grab" when the city is being washed away?

[paiger81]

I could understand the exemption for hospitals by why hotels?

They thought the high rise hotels would be a safe place..... :neutral:

Anybody know if LA is like TX? I know legally we do not have 'mandatory evacuations' only voluntary. Why is that btw?

[kimmer23]

i think it was mandatory, but you really cant force a person from their home. (i dont know the exact details, but i guess it would be hard to physically remove every person from every house) people think things will be ok and that they will "ride it out" but they are wrong most of the time.

[yankeeyosh]

Well, when I posted yesterday, that was before I found out about the levee breach (as mentioned, I don't have much media access)....therefore, I take back what I said when I said that NO dodged a big bullet (although it still could have been worse had the center made landfall in NO as a cat-5, since the Superdome may have failed and tall buildings may have crashed down. Nevertheless, it is hard to fathom what people are going through right now in that city. Infrastructure in cities have collapsed before...i.e. NYC from roughly 1970-1977, but I don't think that at least in the last 100 years (since probably the 1906 SF quake) we have seen a major city crumble this fast. Even during 9-11, only a small section of the city of New York was affected (although the most important part of the city), and it was up and running again to some degree within a week or so. Unfortunately, that will not happen here. And the disease and lack of services will surely take its toll very soon. Death tolls, I am afraid to say, may rival "9-11".

It is hard to say if New Orleans will recover in the near term. I am sure it will be back...but whether the charm will remain is in doubt. One thing about New Orleans. In this go-go hyperhomogenous country we're in, where Albany, GA is really no different from Albany, NY, there are few places which have its own distinct culture. New Orleans is one of them. It would be a horrible shame if this aspect of Americana is gone forever.

That said, I couldn't believe the looting. I mean, I know looting has long been a problem during crises in this country, but I seriously thought that the notion of widespread looting went away with disco, and that we were more civil in "post-Giuliani America". Some of it, I could understand...people need food, water, medicine, etc., so while not civil, I could give those people a break. But TVs? Microwaves? Especially since there is no power whatsoever to run them? Give me a break!

By the way...TS "Lee" formed as if we haven't had enough already this season. Fortunately, this will be a "fish storm".

[HereComes30]

I was just looking at pictures on Yahoo and I must say...I am damn proud to be an American! There are trucks from power and utility companies streaming south from all over the country to restore power. Nonprofits and churches are in full swing to provide assistance. Ice companies are making and bagging ice 24/7 and shipping it south. Staging areas for shipments are being established. Common people are getting into boats and making rescues. Multiple navy ships are in route to the south. There are more than 28,000 troops already deployed for the efforts. There is no doubt in my mind some extraordinary, creative, crazy steps will be taken and the levy will be repaired because some of the top engineers in the country are working on how to repair them and stop the onslaught of water.

That is what makes this country so great...you can hurt us...beat us up...but we will rally around each other...we will heal...and we will come back even stronger!!

[Mad Dawg]

We're always helping other countries in the aftermaths of their catastrophic natural disasters. I wonder if anyone will help us out now, in our time of need?

[Angyl]

I'ts not all peachy, you guys realize. A lot of people didin't get out. They're waiting for help on top of their roofs, in 90 degree heat.

http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/news/special_packages/hurricane_katrina/12526270.htm

http://villagevoice.com/news/0536,kamenetzweb,67410,2.html

Being who I am, I'm really also feeling not only for the homeless and those who are missing family, but at least at the Sun herald, at least half the newsroom staff is missing, they're sleeping on the floor, and food is being shipped into them from Miami by KR. They have one cell phone. only one. and their web site is up and running.

A lot of the reporters out there have a nice cushy hotel room in Houston, but a lot are doing without showers, food, water and the things they're used to in terms of reporting.

And the looting! A police officer got shot by a looter at a Wal-mart. guns are being stolen. Houses are being looted for their electronics. i'm OK with food too, but this is insane. And I for one think the relief is good in some areas, but bad in others. We're all looking at Nawlins, but Mississippi and a lot of louisana otherwise have been hit bad and theres tons of poverty there.

[HereComes30]

We're always helping other countries in the aftermaths of their catastrophic natural disasters. I wonder if anyone will help us out now, in our time of need?

I was wondering the same thing and I FINALLY heard via an article online about some of the international response. Europe giving thier condolences, Venenzuela offering aid, and Switzerland actually seeming to have one of the biggest publicized responses with citizens calling into government offices asking how they could make donations, etc. I have heard nothing from Mexico or Canada at least reported.

[HereComes30]

I was curious how long this would take....

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/CA6253044.html

But here is the big question I have...you will go on tv and ask others for money, but how much are you going to put up. You don't have to tell me exact amounts of who gives what, but the broadcast should start off with "already over $5 million has been donated by the celebrities on this broadcast...and the advertisers during this segment have each made large contributions as well."

[ut_bill]

Even though I live in Starkville, MS, 4.5 hours from the MS gulf coast, the effects of the storm could be felt up here. It wasn't as bad where I live, but I can't imagine how bad it is on the coast. A great number of students and staff here at Mississippi State University, where I work, have family and friends that live in the southern part of the state, and some of them haven't heard from any of them yet. Most of them choose to ride out the storm where they live, yet no one knows if that decision was good or bad yet. Until you live so closely to an area that's hit like this, it's usually just a sad story you see on the news.

Since I work at MSU, we were closed from noon Monday until 8am this morning. I sat at home just watching the same news stories that all of you were probably watching, but it wasn't until coming back to work today and hearing the stories of the people I know that started to worry me. The easy thing to do would be to blame the lack of electricity, phone service, and cell towers for my friends and co-workers not hearing anything yet. In every case, I hope that's the reason, but part of me expects of few stories not to have a happy ending.

I got the chance this afternoon to visit our local storm shelter, there are people there from the gulf coast as well as New Orleans and more are expected to arrive soon. The Red Cross really needs help with the disaster relief efforts; money, not blood. I encourage all of you to go online to the Red Cross website and make a donation. There are so many people that have nothing right now, and it will be a long time until they can say that they have something again, it really is a tragic situation. This is the closest that I've ever been to a tragic situation like this as soon as it happened, and let me tell you, it's not a fun place to be.

Billy

[HereComes30]

Thanks for your first hand account Billy. Please let everyone down there know that we are definitely keeping them in our prayers!!

[pisces2473]

Right now, I don't know if they know what is still standing and what is knocked down. New Orleans is one of my favorite cities to visit and I'm so completely upset that it may be partially gone.
Sigh. My parents were there 3 years ago and loved it. Chris and I were planning on going there in the next year and making it a really BIG trip. :googly:

[pisces2473]

I read somewhere that some poor people couldn't afford to leave. Couldn't the police/National Guard/some agency, force these people to leave and transport them out? It's sad to see people trapped on their rooftops just because they have no where to go and can't afford to evacuate.
I don't know why those in charge didn't utilize city buses to get people out of NO or SOMETHING.

[CHS]

Hi everyone.

I don't really know where to start...

I am from Metairie - right outside of New Orleans. We have evacuated to Little Rock, AR. Metairie is on the other side of the canal from the breach in the 17th st. canal. Metairie is in good shape compared to New Orleans. We have flooding, but not nearly as bad as N.O. We have been told we can come into Jefferson Parish Mon. morning to get any items from our homes with ID required. We will then be forced to leave and will not be able to return for at least a month if not more..

Children have no schools to attend, people have lost their homes and no one knows whether they will ever have their jobs again??

New Orleans is another story. I work with a CPA whose ENTIRE house is underwater with all of his possessions. Sure, he could re-build once the water is pumped out. But, what about the diseases that are accumulating in that water. THAT is what worries me at the moment. Can you image the crap that is in that water?? I don't even want to think about it.. :torn: The only thing that goes through my mind is some kind of "toxic waste dump."

I will say my heart literally aches when I think about how many people they are going to find in houses/attics when the water is gone. I think the national guard will go around and mark huge red X's on the houses w/ dead bodies and then they will come around with body bags.

I have heard b/w Louisiana, Mississippi & Alabama that 1 million people evacuated. Most went back home from Alabama. So, lets say we still have 800,00 people who have evacuated. THAT's 800,000 people. And where are we? We are sitting in hotels rooms or with family with no idea what we are suppose to do? As of right now, we have no home to go back to, no job to go back to and most are not millionaires...

I'm sure it is possible to get a job wherever you are located.. but, right when an employer sees you are from LA/MS they know you will prob. leave the business when the city is cleaned up.. Could make finding a job a little hard to say the least.. What is our other option? To sit in hotel rooms for months? It's such an odd situation? Most people who live in New Orleans live there because they LOVE the city! They are not looking to re-locate, but we may be forced to? Who knows??

I really don't have any answers and am just trying to express the many thoughts in my head at the moment. Sorry if this makes no sense?? I could literally go on for the next 5 hours.

One thing I want to mention:
PLEASE DO NOT THINK THOSE THUGS ON THE NEWS LOOTING REPRESENT THE NEW ORLEANS AREA!! I have never been so embaressed in my entire life. They make the city look like a 3rd world country. THEY ARE SHOOTING THE RESCUE WORKERS TRYING TO SAVE LIVES and THEY SHOT A POLICE OFFICER IN THE FACE plus many more incidents.. I cannot describe how fucking mad it makes me and I won't try.

Louisiana has some of the most nice, helpful & generous people. But, you will not see them on the news. They left the city like they were instructed to do!! They did not stay behind to loot the poor businesses that have been damaged already.

Don't worry though - karma is a bitch! The looters are climbing through glass and rubble and most definitely are cutting themselves up. They are then wading through water that is filled with feces and who knows what else. Honestly, most will either be VERY sick or die. But, they are too stupid to know that. Like I said karma is a bitch.

*** To answer a previous post:
The city of New Orleans cannot issue a mandatory evacuation because they do not have nearly enough resources to do so. I have heard in order to issue a mandatory evacuation you must go around to each home with people who have decided to stay during the storm and they must:

1. Write in permanent black marker thier first & last name on thier forearm.
2. Must sign a next of kin statement for yourself

There is no way the City of New Orleans would be able to do this. It would take way too long... There are other reasons, but I can't think of them at the moment.
The City of New Orleans had to obtain a special provision to get a mandatory evac. This exempted them from the above criteria. The mandatory evac. was issued to SCARE the people so that they would GET OUT!! As you can see, some didn't listen.. Plus, they opened the Superdome so that people with no car would have a place to go. They were bussing them there. People had NUMEROUS warnings about this storm. Some people just don't listen. It's that simple.

[shimmer728]

Wow, CHS. Take care.

Are the cops attempting to do anything at all about the looting, or is it pretty much a lost cause right now?

[pisces2473]

Hang in there, CHS. We're here for you if you need to talk about this stuff.

[paiger81]

We're always helping other countries in the aftermaths of their catastrophic natural disasters. I wonder if anyone will help us out now, in our time of need?

I know somebody already mentioned some countries, but I just heard that Saudi Arabia is offering to increase oil production in order to send it over our way.

Children have no schools to attend, people have lost their homes and no one knows whether they will ever have their jobs again??

I know Texas passed some sort of motion yesterday, to allow ANY child who has evacuated to Texas to attend Texas schools for as long as it is needed. They are temporarily lifting the requirement to prove the child has all vaccinations, as well.

[HereComes30]

More help on the way....

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050901/ap_on_en_tv/katrina_telethons_hk4

[HereComes30]

These people should be thrown in a dark hole for a very long time!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050901/ap_on_re_us/katrina_superdome_evacuation_hk1

Correction...throwing them in a dark hole would be too good. They should be made to help carry dead bodies and then put on clean up detail and then on construction projects. Work them till they appreciate the situation.

[tina1979]

I know Texas passed some sort of motion yesterday, to allow ANY child who has evacuated to Texas to attend Texas schools for as long as it is needed. They are temporarily lifting the requirement to prove the child has all vaccinations, as well.
They are trying to do the same thing out here. I'm not sure if it has passed yet or not, but they are trying to make it where any children that are here can be registered at the schools in the area.

CHS- stay strong. (((hugs)))

[HereComes30]

Looks like the water is no longer rising in NO and that levees are on the way to being plugged.

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2005/09/01/D8CBLNAG5.html