Death toll in Louisiana could be above 10,000: US Senator

As first reported here by me two days ago in the comments area based upon an email report from the ground, estimates of the death toll for Hurricane Katrina in LA reaching up to and possibly above 10,000 are now being confirmed by a US Senator. One big three TV network contact told me at the time he felt the reported estimate was perhaps 10-times too high.

FYI - Katrina: I'm hearing 10,000 dead and counting - off the record. Shocking reports on the ground. Not publishing for now.

Posted by: Dan | Aug 31, 2005 10:22:25 PM

BATON ROUGE, United States (AFP) - US Senator David Vitter said that the death toll from Hurricane Katrina could top 10,000 in Louisiana alone.

"My guess is that it will start at 10,000, but that is only a guess," Vitter said, adding that he was not basing his remarks on any official death toll or body count.

Update: Commenters report:

Armed gangs and possibly escaped prisoners are holding hostages at the Bell South building which is comprised of about 200 firemen and their families and one two deputy sheriffs have already been killed as well as one fireman. There are women and children in the buliding where these gangs are shooting their hostages. I belive it is Orleans parish.

Comments

[MarlboroGal]

United States (AFP) - US Senator David Vitter said that the death toll from Hurricane Katrina could top 10,000 in Louisiana alone.
"My guess is that it will start at 10,000, but that is only a guess," Vitter said, adding that he was not basing his remarks on any official death toll or body count.

An American Tragedy... to borrow a title from Theodore Dreiser. It's all so sad and so very hard to fathom.

[Shari]

This is such a tragedy. Hearts and prayers going out to everyone. I hope everyone is able to send some sort of donation, regardless of how large or small it is.

[!]

Yes Sherri, me too !! :O)

[angelaberdine]

Armed gangs and possibly escaped prisoners are holding hostages at the Bell South building which is comprised of about 200 firemen and their families and one two deputy sheriffs have already been killed as well as one fireman. There are women and children in the buliding where these gangs are shooting their hostages. I belive it is Orleans parish.

[alabamajazz]

I was standing in line at Wal Mart today. An elderly couple was behind me, speaking in that wonderful cajun accent. I turned to them and offered my sympathy and prayers. (They were staying in a motel here in Birmingham). The woman told me "all I got is my suitcase full of clothes, my husband and God. Don't think I'll need much more than that". At that moment I realized the words "I'm sorry for your loss" just seemed so.....
Tears fell down my cheeks.

[MarlboroGal]

I was standing in line at Wal Mart today. An elderly couple was behind me, speaking in that wonderful cajun accent. I turned to them and offered my sympathy and prayers. (They were staying in a motel here in Birmingham). The woman told me "all I got is my suitcase full of clothes, my husband and God. Don't think I'll need much more than that". At that moment I realized the words "I'm sorry for your loss" just seemed so.....
Tears fell down my cheeks.
Posted by: alabamajazz | Sep 2, 2005 6:01:19 PM

I understand. Sometimes the words "I'm sorry" seem woefully inadequate, and yet, what else can be said? This is all just so horrible. :(

[alabamajazz]

Marlborogal
I am having a hard time understanding all this. My beloved southern states just cannot take ANYMORE hell. A person only has so much spirit and resolve. Just saw the weather forcast, look what's out in the Atlantic>>

[TheAlamo]

Armed gangs and possibly escaped prisoners are holding hostages at the Bell South building which is comprised of about 200 firemen and their families and one two deputy sheriffs have already been killed as well as one fireman. There are women and children in the buliding where these gangs are shooting their hostages. I belive it is Orleans parish.

Posted by: angelaberdine | Sep 2, 2005 5:52:08 PM

When Americans were true Americans, the population at large would take out these thugs. National Guardsmen are there for "show" but have not used their weapsons. Typical socialist mentalities abound in the "control" towers. "Don't want to irritate anyone by killing anyone." Yeah, right...the federal government at work.
So much for FEMA and "Fatherland" Security. Top down control didn't work in Russia either. Wonder why we don't figure that out.
The people need to rise up, become adults, bury the dead laying around, get their own guns and take out the thugs. Obviously government loves disasters because they can claim to be the hero. Seems like this time they want it to get a little worse so they can be "BIG" heroes.
Or else, we are just seeing the ineptitude of socialism at its best. Either way--the people lose--again.

[Katie]

This is too much it is unbelieveable that this is happenning in America.
I keep thinking of the song "the day the music died".
They should have had the army in there day one and shoot to kill.

[!]

Come on TheAlamo......

Chill the hell out. !!!

This has been coming for years. The people of NO,LA knew what could happen. They knew. They were not prepared.!!

[MarlboroGal]

Marlborogal
I am having a hard time understanding all this. My beloved southern states just cannot take ANYMORE hell. A person only has so much spirit and resolve. Just saw the weather forcast, look what's out in the Atlantic>>
Posted by: alabamajazz | Sep 2, 2005 6:31:10 PM

Yes, I know. :( I'm in the south, too, and on the East coast. Either of us could be next for a direct hurricane hit. (sigh) That is the price we pay to live along the coastline. I keep my bags packed this time of year. That, and I hope, and I pray that I won't be hit. Life is a crap shoot. You never know what you'll roll.

[alabamajazz]

ABC 33/40 Birmingham
Cuba and Venezuela among the list of countries offering monetary support. Wow.

[MarlboroGal]

ABC 33/40 Birmingham
Cuba and Venezuela among the list of countries offering monetary support. Wow.
Posted by: alabamajazz | Sep 2, 2005 7:05:51 PM

Wow! Now THAT is some news, alabamajazz! I hope we accept their offer, and I thank them for it. :)

[!]

Posted by: Marla | Sep 2, 2005 7:24:06 PM

Maria...go crawl back in the hole with michael moore and his kind. you slug !!!

[Jane]

Armed gangs and possibly escaped prisoners are holding hostages at the Bell South building which is comprised of about 200 firemen and their families and one two deputy sheriffs have already been killed as well as one fireman. There are women and children in the buliding where these gangs are shooting their hostages. I belive it is Orleans parish.

THOSE BAAAASTARDS!!!!!!!!!!

[moxiemom]

Marla,

GREAT LETTER from Michael Moore!!! My sentiments EXACTLY!!!!! I hope he really sent it to Mr. Bush!!!

[angelaberdine]

Marla,

GREAT LETTER from Michael Moore!!! My sentiments EXACTLY!!!!! I hope he really sent it to Mr. Bush!!!

Posted by: moxiemom | Sep 2, 2005 7:44:48 PM

Right after Michael got his check from Carlyle since the Bushes resigned that organization after 9/11 and Michael picked up the monies where the Bush family refused. You go, Micahel, you need that Carlyle money. You need it to buy food. The Bushes don't need it. They have more where that came from, where they have worked for it. Now make another movie and let Carlyle fund it, too.

[Suz-in-Florida]

msnbc nbc cnbc "Concert for Hurricane Relief" now on, showing some film footage of hurricane K

[angelaberdine]

ABC 33/40 Birmingham
Cuba and Venezuela among the list of countries offering monetary support. Wow.

Posted by: alabamajazz | Sep 2, 2005 7:05:51 PM

I hope you are not holding your breath until they actually come through with it. They always do this and never come through with the money, any time any one needs it.

[!]

Posted by: angelaberdine | Sep 2, 2005 7:55:35 PM

go crawl back in the hole with michael moore and his kind. you slug !!! along with Maria.!!!

[TexasGal]

Posted by: angelaberdine | Sep 2, 2005 7:55:35 PM

go crawl back in the hole with michael moore and his kind. you slug !!! along with Maria.!!!

Posted by: !
You know, I have to agree. Some people just NEVER have anything but negative thoughts and remarks!

[Anna]

The governor is not a republican and if Bush has stepped over her authority, we would never hear the end of that!

Not the time to blame. We can fight later. The doctors and nurses at Charity hospital are giving themselves IV's to stay alive having had not food for four days and pinned down by gangs looking for narcotics in the hospital. Pray they are rescued in time!

Please stop fighting about this. We are ALL Americans in this and need to pull together. Later we can punch out each other's lights but there are babies dying from no formula or water so until we have everybody at least out of life-threatening situations, let's put it all aside. At least in this regard and subject.

God Save New Orleans! It's going to take a miracle.

[TexasGal]

Please stop fighting about this. We are ALL Americans in this and need to pull together.
Posted by: Anna |

You are right Anna. My comment was unnecessary and I apologize for it.

[john]

Um, how about giving us a source angelaberdine? This is nothing but hearsay unless it can be confirmed, and doesn't serve any purpose except to panic people.

Where did you hear this? What became of the situation? How did it end? I've searched the internet high and low, and can't find anything on this.

Armed gangs and possibly escaped prisoners are holding hostages at the Bell South building which is comprised of about 200 firemen and their families and one two deputy sheriffs have already been killed as well as one fireman. There are women and children in the buliding where these gangs are shooting their hostages. I belive it is Orleans parish.

[clintcarter]

The test of whether Cuba and Venezuela will actually come through with $$ will have to follow the test of our nation in actually accepting it.

JOHN: I beleve that the (fairly detailed) report of abduction by prisoners was actually 100% rumor.