Hurricane Katrina

I cannot believe it! I have watched with horror as a city I love, inhabited by people I adore is awash with destruction.

Canal Street seems to have disappeared. The exact number of deaths is unknown. The French Quarter unrecognisable.

For those of you have not yet realised, New Orleans is experiencing widespread flooding due to this Hurricane. It is without power and is suffering what is considered to be catastrophic damage in residential as well as business areas. Listening to the news it seems that the city is pretty much under water.

The National Weather Service reported that water had overtopped levees in Orleans and St. Bernard parishes. The east side of New Orleans is under 5 to 6 feet of water. People in the flooded Ninth Ward in Metro New Orleans sent 116 residents to rooftops to seek aid. Emergency crews have been busy answering phone calls about urgent situations like heart attacks and pregnancies. Yesterday morning, it was reported that 20,000 people were in the Superdome, yet this building's roof had been breached, with two holes, "each about 15 to 20 feet long and 4 to 5 feet wide" and that water is also making its way in at elevator shafts and other small openings". People are reported to now being allowed outside the superdome, but they are still are unable to leave the area. Yesterday afternoon one person jumped out of the Superdome to his death. Mayor Ray Nagin described New Orleans as "totally dark" with no clear way in or out, with eighty percent of the city flooded with some areas with water depths of 20 feet. Both airports are underwater and that gas leaks are reported throughout the city. It is not pleasant.

Ironically, Venezuala, usually vilified by the US Government, is coming to the assistance of the those subject to this disaster. They are offering to sell them heating fuel at a subsidised rate.

Personally, I don't care that it is the most expensive hurricane ever, I don't care about the insurance companies! How can all the news reports be concentrating on the hike in premiums, the effect on the oil companies and the global effect on consumers when people are losing their lives, their homes and their livelihoods! Arghhhh! I am vain enough to think that you all read this blog on a regular basis even though I do not update it often and you have probably given up on me by now, but please know, I think of you all daily and pray that you and your families and friends are all OK. I know that internet may not be your highest priority right now, but if you can get in touch, please do. Let me know you are safe.

To all of you still there and those who mananged to make it out, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I miss you all so much. Sending big hugs and love.