Is Katrina The Deadliest Storm in US History?

With an ever growing body count and some of the rhetoric we're seeing now, there is growing concern that the Nation may not yet be aware of the full extent of the loss of human life associated with Hurricane Katrina.

White House spokesman Scott McLellan said at Thursday press conference. "This is one of, if not the worst, natural disasters in our nation's history," McLellan said.

It would only require 1,000 deaths for Katrina to be one of the ten worst storms to hit the country and already one US Senator has suggested 10,000 might be more in line with reality.

With New Orleans destroyed, according to a deputy police Chief Warren Riley, and it being known that thousands of individuals stayed in the city, any thought that losses will be measured in three digits are likely gone.

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (CNN) -- Saying the city was "completely destroyed," the New Orleans deputy police chief on Monday urged remaining residents to get out because there is no power, drinkable water or supply of food.

Deputy Chief Warren Riley told reporters that a week after Hurricane Katrina struck, thousands of people insisted on remaining in "a hazard." "We advise people that this city has been destroyed. It has been completely destroyed," Riley said.

One source in Mississippi who has worked with FEMA has told me under condition of anonymity he believes the number may reach well over 1,000 in Mississippi alone.

As an example of the significance of possible loss of life from Katrina, if deaths approach the 5,000 mark, it would amount to more lives lost on 9-11 and the War in Iraq combined.

Additionally, what figures we are hearing from the Government most likely don't account for the worst of areas hit - which haven't even begun to be searched for survivors. That effort won't happen quickly and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff stated on Meet The Press that America should be prepared for ugly pictures may continue to emerge from the South for weeks to come.

Given the challenges of accessing certain areas for a through search, presently, there may be no way to honestly know the ultimate toll of Katrina on the American population.

The deadliest storm in US history, the Galveston hurricane in the early nineteen-hundreds had a death toll which has been estimated as being somewhere between 6,000 to 8,000; only time will tell if Katrina is going to wind up the infamous number one in this regard. Sadly, more and more observers believe it will.

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Comments

[!]

I do believe that it will end up being the deadliest storm in history when all the bodies are counted. I am sure many will not even be found.
We already know that this will certainly be the most expensive storm.
This to me is as sad as 9-11. We have seen two horrific disasters in our lifetime now. I hope before it si my time I do not have to witness anymore. One was enough, but two ??
God Bless America !!

[clintcarter]

Speaking of deadly, Dan, why has Mike R. been allowed to place multiple identical copies of the same hateful post?

[Alee]

This is part of an email received from a friend on the gulf coast. Sorry for the long post but it just breaks my heart.

Assessment:
The material world in which we lived has been utterly and completely destroyed; only the earth remains.

Homes and commercial structures which survived every catastrophe since the 1840's (yes, that's the correct date -EighteenForties), including Hurricane Camille, have simply ceased to exist.

All you are seeing on TV is New Orleans and the casinos in Biloxi but I can assure you there is more to the Mississippi coast than the casinos in Biloxi. The coast is 90 miles wide and, from east to west, here are the cities that are NOT being featured on the news: Pascagoula, Ocean Springs, Biloxi, Gulfport, Long Beach, Pass Christian (home), Diamondhead, Bay St. Louis, Waveland, and Pearlington. Each city was populated with thousands of residents, many of whom evacuated, many who remained. No news footage of them. Just the endless banal coverage of those damned casinos. Every one of those cities and towns were heavily damaged or totally destroyed. Every structure within 200 yards of the beach is gone. No recognizable landmarks remain.

Public schools are damaged or non-existent. Churches and temples (including First Baptist in Long Beach which survived Camille in 1969 and my baptism in 1957) are non-existent or severely damaged. Medical facilities (doctors offices, pharmacies, etc) non-existent or severely damaged. Retail centers are non-existent. Recreation areas non-existent. Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport - severely damaged.

At the east and west ends of Harrison County (my home), both vehicle and railroad bridges on the waterfront Highway 90 across Bay St. Louis (west) and Biloxi Bay (east) are completely destroyed.

Scenic Drive in Pass Christian, 2-miles along the beach lined with ancient oaks and late 19th-century and ante-bellum homes so stately and graceful that it was once called "the most beautiful street in America" and was on the National Registry of Historic Places, is now a pile of rubble.

No electricity since early Monday. Which translates into: no living and no commerce of any kind is possble. for home and businesses, no lights, no cooking, no air conditioning, no fresh water, no toilets. gas stations are destroyed or closed (pumps are electric)

In an area 90 miles wide by approximately 6 miles deep:

1) cell phones are now useless paperweights. transmission towers were damaged or blown down. none have electricity. Of those that have their own generators, the generators were destroyed in the tidal wave and because the roads are not passable (see below) technicians cannot reach the towers to repair the generators. Theres no gasoline for the generators. Regular land-line phones are out and service will not be back for 2-3 weeks or more. "Satellite" phones are only means of communication.

2) every single road has to be cleared by bull-dozer and electricians (downed power lines everywhere) before it is passable

3) every single motor vehicle caught in the storm-surge has been destroyed, inundated under 20+ feet of muddy salty water. Envision: every privately owned automobile, police cruiser, ambulance, rescue wagon, fire truck, post office delivery vans, UPS/FedEx truck, etc., is now useless.

4) municipal goverment and services no longer exist. Buildings housing all governemnt offices are non-existent or damaged beyond use. In my city, the police department has simply vanished from the earth; officers survived but physical plant is gone and vehicles inoperable

5) Tens of thousands of homes are now scattered rubble. In many of those homes, someone died. If the body is visible, it is not recoverable until mountains of debris can be removed. It's sunny and the temperatures are in the 90s. (Ignore "current death toll" on evening news reports! It will be weeks, probably months, before a staggeringly higher death count is officially recognized)

6) In every destroyed home was a refrigerator and in many of them, freezers, filled with the family's choice of meat, poultry, fish, and game. Those appliances now litter the landscape, their contents strewn about, rotting in the sun and heat.

7) every single grocerystore in the storm-surge area had its contents blown out. Mountains of fresh produce, red meat, fresh fish and poultry, eggs, milk, frozen food, etc., now lies rotting in the sun. Add this to 5 & 6 above and you see the health hazard in the making.

8) mortuaries have been destroyed. Refrigerated trucks are arriving to be used as temporary morgues.

9) mosquito eggs that had lain dormant in dry soil have now been re-vitalized; in the next two or three weeks, the horde will hatch and attack

10) every place of employment on the coast is destroyed. no one who survived and no one who returns will have a job. all are now unemployed. The casinos alone employed 14,000 people, now jobless. The hospitality industry (hotels and restaurants) employed thousands more, now jobless. The 500-boat fishing fleet, if the ships survived, have no crews. Of the ships that may be operable when their crew can return, there are no homeport facilities to off-load and process their catch. The port of Gulfport, 2nd largest on the Gulf coast and largest port of entry for commerce from central and south america, has been destroyed. Retail stores (pharmacies, hallmark cards&gifts, groceries, dry cleaning, hardware, fast food, etc., all gone--those that remain cannot open due to lack of power. No-one who was expecting to get a pay check this week for work done last week will get a check and "plastic" is as useless as cell phones. Credit/debit cards drawn against local banks cannot be used in in commerce because the banks are destroyed. And ATMs? Fuggedabboutit. Most of the ATMs were inundated and are now filled with muddy salt water. State aid? the casinos pump $500,000 of tax revenue each day into state coffers and every penny of that income ceased last Sunday. That's $180,000,000/year that the state will NOT receive

What can you do to help?
CASH to the SALVATION ARMY and RED CROSS.
If you are able, donate blood.

And if you or anyone you know really wants to help, fill your SportUt with a two-week supply of food, water, gasoline, and clean clothes (you have to be completely self-contained--we have no means of supporting you), and come on down! We need electricians, tree-trimmers, plumbers, carpenters, and general laborers.

I foolishly thought that after bankruptcy, divorce, and prolonged unemployement, I had nothing left to lose. Well, I was wrong.

BUT-- the family is ALIVE and WELL and we'll rebuild. And, if you're in the market for waterfront real estate, have I got a deal for you! :-)))))

Don't know when I can write again.
-- John

[alabamajazz]

Let us not forget about the coast of Alabama...
For us it is hurricane number three.
God Bless us all.

[frenchymom]

Alee, Thank you for posting your note from John. MS is also my home and where all of my extended family still lives. While I recently moved to Colorado, I spent many years living in the Jackson area and then in Long Beach,(even
lived in New Orleans for a number of years in the early 80's), my heart and home are still in MS.

I am concerned about the cities in MS and LA that aren't getting any attention. Even Jackson, MS's capital is still having problems with phone lines and electricity in many areas. Hattiesburg, MS home of the University of Southern Miss located about an hour or so from Gulfport is still without power and is delaying school.

It will likely be several weeks or even months before the full extent of the storm damage is uncovered. Authorities will end up needing to conduct a house by house search in many of these areas just to recover all of the bodies.

This area of the country is extremely humid, even without the flood waters. The water combined with the decaying process, the other elements and the natural humidity will result in a good bit of toxic mold growth, ultimately rendering some of the homes still standing, as uninhabitable.

While it is easy for so many to focus on New Orleans as it has been the most publicized and the most chaotic, it is likely not the most destroyed of cities from the physical storm itself.

Most of New Orleans destruction came from the resulting water rise. The cities and areas in MS and other locales were destroyed by the force of the storm, literally leaving NOTHING for people to find on return. Not a photo album, not a child's toy, not even walls.

Growing up on the Gulf Coast I Have lived both. Destruction by water and total destruction by the storm itself. For me, having nothing left to physcially see was by far worse than being flooded out.

God bless all who are living this chatastrophic life changing event. As I watch from my home in Colorado my heart is breaking.

[Alee]

Alabamajazz.. there's not way I could forget Alabama. My grandparents had a beautiful home overlooking the Mobile Bay in Spanish Fort and I spent many summers with them when I was young. Also, Gulf Shores has always been our vacation spot. I've been so many times since I was a child. After my children were born we continued taking them there and now our grandchildren enjoy it as much as I always have.

[Ron]

Does anyone know of a white female 45 to 55 about 120 lbs,no children non smoker,without a job are home,I have a place for ya.Who knows I might get me a wife this way. Ron at ronshagun@bellsouth.net

[frenchymom]

Ron,There are websites being put up for those who can take in people stranded from the storm. Try one of those. They might be able to hook you up.

[alabamajazz]

Thank you Alee : )

[Alee]

Frenchymom, things are getting better here in central Mississippi. I live east of Jackson and some of us have power. There are still many who don't. I do believe this past week I have seen more acts of KINDNESS than I've ever seen in my entire life. Everyone is taking care of each other. We have a motorhome and my husband is getting as many supplies as he can cram into it and going south. The coliseum is full of people and just about every church from here to Memphis have shelters.

[frenchymom]

Thank you for the update Alee. The South has always been known for it's hospitality. I expect it will shine at it's best through this challenging time. I am touched and heartened by the other states that are taking people in, even as far as Boston and Phoenix.

This country remains at it's best when united and focused on helping others.

Have a god evening all !

[Ron]

Thanks frenchymom, Got to be careful of those sites.But i've got the word out tho, huh.

[!]

Alee, Thanks so much for posting that. Many people do not realize how many different things that we all take for granted everyday was affected by this horrible catastrophy.
We are all so blessed and every single person in this country can surely do just some little something no matter how small or how big to help.
Please consider. Thanks !!

[Isabell]

Speaking of deadly, Dan, why has Mike R. been allowed to place multiple identical copies of the same hateful post?

Posted by: clintcarter | Sep

I was wondering what the heck was going on. I thought I was browsing through the same threads mistakenly because the Mike R. post from hell is everywhere. Clint I guess when you have already said your "one thing" you have to repeat it or be silent.

[numbers]

if you deduct the number of dead in New Orleans eventually, would that still leave this as the worst storm.

if the levies were actually hit by barges and it wasn't the storm that inundated New Orleans, would this disaster of New Orleans still be storm related?

[Sam]

Bush's Impeachment

Three charges come to mind:

* Gross negligence - Failure to use even the slightest amount of care in a way that shows Recklessness or willful disregard for the safety of others.
* Dereliction of duty - One willfully, through negligence or culpable inefficiency fails to perform one's expected duties.
* Depraved indifference - Recklessly engaging in conduct which creates a grave risk of death to other persons, and thereby causes serious physical injury to other persons.

[GrannyToad]

Compared to the 1900 Galveston hurricane, in absolute death numbers, Katrina far worse. I don't know if that holds where population percentage & comparative dollar damage is compared. Just don't know. I've had to learn some about it because of all things, genealogy. I didn't giveaflip about US History in college even, so it's kind of whatever I turn up from different points of view and available records to scratch.

Another interesting natural mess in US history occurred when/where the "local" population was very very small - the 1811-1812 New Madrid (Missouri) earthquakes. I think it rang churchbells in Boston & Philly and was felt in Canada. Seers & prognosticators & preachers came up with all kinds of DOOM & frightful nonsense.

And of course there was that sort of continuation of the US Revolution popped up. Danged Canadians burnt the White House! One of my exactly-2 non-colonial ancestors was a conscript on a captured Brit flagship but when the war was over & they went to swapping out prisoners, decided he liked it here and stayed.

[frenchymom]

Hey Sam...
what about the aid Bush promised BEFORE the storm hit?? That was unprecedented, if I remember correctly. Also, why do you think it was HIS sole responsibility to show care for the people? It amazes me how many people LOOK for reasons to place responsibility and blame on others. You can bet someone looking for a handout, who stayed behind in the storm when they clearly said to evacuate will try suing the government for negligence. What a joke!

I'm of the opinion that it is the state's responsibility and that of it's governing bodies to handle these particular types of disaster. The Federal government should only get involved after it is proven that the state government couldn't handle it or that the state needs more than they can do on their own.

If anyone was negligent where this storm is concerned, it's the loca government's for not having planned well in advance and for not having their ducks lined up for afterwards.

Everyone heard less about MS because they planned better. They went door to door telling people to evacuate and having them sign a paper if they didn't in an effort to keep track of people. How do you think they knew people were likely dead at the apt community in Biloxi shortly following the storm when there was no communication. MS officials planned and even though it was devastating to them, had crews out cleaning roads within a day or two of the storm.

LA government planned poorly and are now paying for it with additional deaths on their shoulders. Even the shelter at the Superdome was poor planning. Nor did they have boats lined up in nearby safe areas to bring into the city immediately following the storm!

For years, they have run simulations showing that if a Cat 5 hit NO, the city would flood. Why didn't the Governor and Mayor plan accordingly? Why didn't they have extra food and other necessities in the Superdome to last for a week as worst case scenario? Why did they allow people to be out on the streets doing as they pleased the night before the storm even when everyone was told to evacuate and there was a curfew?

Those are the real questions that need to be asked, answered and people held accountable for. One of the Parish President's mother drowned on Friday in her nursing home located in a different Parish after calling her son each day asking when they were coming to get them. No one showed. I guess you can add that to your Bush list too....

This is not a time to place blame, it's a time to create solutions, understand where the failure was and learn from it for next time.

Just my two cents....

[!]

Sam,
Get a life, okay !! What a fool you are !

[!]

Just my two cents....

Posted by: frenchymom | Sep 5, 2005 9:44:34 PM
-------------------------------------------------
WELL SAID frenchymom, WELL SAID !! THANK YOU :o)

[donnaanna]

Ron,There are websites being put up for those who can take in people stranded from the storm. Try one of those. They might be able to hook you up.

Posted by: frenchymom | Sep 5, 2005 5:42:53 PM

Got any links?

[TR]

Read this... its very creepy
http://205.188.130.53/ngm/0410/feature5/

[Ron]

are you talking to me donnaanna, I haven't heard from anyone yet,but i hope i will.May be they don.t trust me,lol.i have a extra bedroom,no hanky panky i promise.i can provide food,cloths, no reboks tho.and some transportation,as long as they dont ask me to drive them to California.but here locally i can help.contact me ok,

[frenchymom]

Try these sites for Offering housing to Hurricane victims:

http://www.hurricanehousing.org/

http://www.shareyourhome.org/

http://www.openchurches.com/

http://www.adoptastormfamily.com/

[!]

http://www.alighthouse.com/candle.php?Count=4205

Light a candle of hope here for all the victims of this catastrophy !

[*flo*]

Posted by: Sam | Sep 5, 2005 9:04:18 PM
Posted by: frenchymom | Sep 5, 2005 9:44:34 PM

Been trying to decipher laws and State/Federal disaster plan...some inforative reading

http://www.riehlworldview.com/carnivorous_conservative/2005/09/sunday_reading.html#comment-9120059

[*flo*]

Posted by: Ron | Sep 5, 2005 7:24:46 PM

are you the one which posted on "Craig" something?
this guy was on MSNBC talking about his blog, said his blog was reviewed by Red Cross, ect

[frenchymom]

Thanks Flo !

[George T.]

RE: Read this... its very creepy
http://205.188.130.53/ngm/0410/feature5/

Posted by: TR | Sep 5, 2005 11:08:45 PM

Especially, since its dated October, 2004!!!!

[clintcarter]

Flo, that's 'craig's list', a web classified ad board. Check it out, it's by city.
Buy, sell, date, etc.

[Allan]

There was a TV movie a month or so ago that basically was the Katrina story . Cat 5 hurricane wipes Gulf , Gas goes up ( in movie $5.00) population panics etc. So it had to be known by all admin that not if but when, And the worst thing is simply a 2 degree rise in Gulf temp put Katrina on Steroids and it is not going to get better . We polluted for generations and now we reap .Can anyone think that it is over or perhaps just the first of many more to come over the following months years etc. Trillions spent to clean and re-build how about a bit of wizz-bang oops Science to devise plans to Kill the tropical storms way before they become cat 5 killers ??