At this point, in my opinion, it is still too early to tell.
I mean 80 to 90 percent of the city is under water 20 feet high at some points. The infrastructure down there is completely destroyed. There is simply nothing to go back to. It'll take months to get the water out of the city assuming they fix the three levee breaks within the next week or two. This may be a shady comparison to make but it's like a third world country down there now. Just 5 or 6 days ago it was a city full of hustle and bustle in one, if not the most, industrialized nations on this earth. But now they live as so many live, without power, without basic communication, without running water, without protection from baking in 90 degree heat with 100% humidity to accompany that.
Tomorrow will start what is referred to as a "second wave" in a huge natural disaster such as Hurricane Katrina. Where the stagnant water begins to hatch mosquitoes carrying diseases such as Cholera, Dysentry, and other disease that we haven't seen large numbers of in centuries. Don't forget the West Nile virus either. The remaining people who are there and still alive are also resorting to drinking that toxic sludge because there simply is not anywhere else to get water. Filled with dead bodies, human feces, and diesel fuels and other pollutants, it just screams death.
Nurses and doctors at the local hospitals are becoming so tired and so weak they have gone from being the ones that help to the ones needing the help. They haven't slept in 24-48 hours, they're dehydrated and they just simply have lost energy. Because there is no running water they are injecting themselves with IV lines which are already in low supply. They as well as their patients live on the brink of death.
Houston, Texas. The place where upwards of 50,000 people have fled to. This figure does not include the Superdome refugees. The Astrodome, which will be the new home of the Superdome people for what appears to be upwards of 5 months. Some 500 buses are making their trips back and forth between New Orleans and Houston, to retrieve the storm-battered people and take them on a 7 hour drive to what can only be compared to as paradise. The Astrodome, while being un-airconditioned has already been stocked with water, meals ready-to-eat (MRE's), and clean functioning toilets and showers. Area schools in Houston are already preparing for and added number of students. This is because the future is so unforeseeable. These refugees may end up being permanent residents.
The main problem is definitely in Mississippi, Louisiana, Geogia, Alabama and Florida. But this is a nationwide disaster. With 60 to 70 oil drills shut down and only 5 or 6 refineries working oil prices have skyrocketed in one day alone. There is no relief in sight unless we get overseas help in sending over millions of barrels of refined oil. Currently this nation is missing approximately 1/3 of it's total oil production. 1/3. Let that sink in. The gas prices in Seattle alone rose almost 75 cents on average. There is already gas rationing happening on the East Coast. Not to mention that gas in some areas has already hit the 5 dollar mark, and quite frankly there isn't any end in sight. This could affect the nation's infrastructure as well. Truckers will no longer be able to afford shipping goods, planes will become too expensive to fly, ships will be unable to sail. Not only does it include car fuel, it also includes natural gas. Meaning people who use natural gas to heat their homes are going to pay a whole lot more to do so. Some may even no longer be able to afford keeping their homes warm.
There's also been a critical, perhaps fatal blow to the local economy as well. With casinos and touristing being major sources of income in the Biloxi and New Orleans area everyday those casinos and hotels remain closed equals desperately needed income gone.
With that being said, the issue of money comes into my head. How much will it cost to rebuild? A rough estimate given out by CNN today said $25 billion dollars. But that's only in insured claims. Think about all the people who can't afford issurance. They in essence become homeless, not because there's nowhere to go but because the house they lived in is gone, and they can't afford to build or buy a new one.
The mess Hurricane Katrina has left behind is widespread. For sure it will take many months, if not years to even begin the rebuilding process. If there is one. People may just decide to continue their lives wherever they sought shelter. New Orleans could have seen it's final day as the Mardi Gras headquarters. Only time will tell if the statement becomes the truth, or rumor.
In the meantime, pray for the victims, pray for the relief workers, pray for the efforts, pray for the courage, pray for survival, pray for everything. Donate if you can, there is a link in my signature, just remember to specify the Hurricane Relief Fund in the scroll menu before continuing. Anything you do will help, 10 dollars will buy 24 water bottles to quench 24 thirsty mouths.
If you or anyone you know is looking for someone, go to
http://www.katrina.com. They have started a list of missing persons. You can also try
http://www.tsasw.org/qso/healthandwelfare.asp filling out the form is the first step to finding out information.
We must, as a nation, pull together to support out Gulf Coast.
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side note: writing that made me feel so journalist... hmm *ponders the thought*