"slidell was under water last I heard."
OMG, where did you hear that?
11:52 a.m.: Evacuees Huddle In Hallways At Chalmette H.S.
People who took shelter in Chalmette High School are now huddled in the hallways because the windows have blown out. The building has sustained significant damage. There are reports that the water is 10-feet deep near the high school and is rapidly rising. -- WDSU.com Web Staff
11:50 a.m.:St. Bernard Residents Forced Into Attics
Several people in St. Bernard Parish have been forced into their attics because of the rising water. In many homes, the water has risen above the second floor. "We know people are up in their attics hollering for help," said state Sen. Walter Boasso. The state Department of Wildlife and Fish says it is standing by with 60 boats and will head out into neighborhoods as soon as the winds subside to assist stranded and trapped residents. -- WDSU anchor Kriss Fairbairn.
11:48 a.m.: Storm Surge Threat Subsides In La.
Now that Katrina has moved inland, the threat of storm surge along Louisiana's southeastern coast has lessened. The only area that may still see storm surge is the south shore of Lake Ponchartrain. The storm surge along the Mississippi Gulf Coast is 20 to 25 feet. There are reports of the storm surge carrying boats across roads. -- WDSU chief meteorologist Dan Milham
11:43 a.m.: Significant Power Outages
There are significant power outages in the New Orleans area. There is also a lot of structural damage to metal buildings and fences. -- WDSU anchor Kriss Fairbairn
11:40 a.m.: Flooding Worse In East Bank Area
Flooding is significantly worse along the west bank of the Mississippi River rather than the east bank. There are reports of street flooding and minor home flooding in the west bank area, but things appear to be more serious along the east bank. There are reports of waist-deep water in the Metairie area. East of New Orleans, some people say they are taking refuge from the flooding in their attics. If you do that, remember to take the proper tools, such as an axe or hatchett, with you. -- WDSU.com Web Staff
11:30 a.m.: Police Can't Respond To 911 Calls Yet
The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office said it is receiving several 911 calls, but officers cannot respond to emergencies until the winds subside. Also, there are reports are several collapsed building, including one in Clearview where a woman may be trapped in her garage. -- WDSU.com Web Staff
11:20 a.m.: Don't Return Home Until All-Clear Given
State emergency officials are urging Louisianans to resist the urge to return home until the all-clear is given. More accidents and deaths typically occur after a storm has passed rather than during the storm itself. It will be some time before officials have the opportunity to inspect the city for damage and flooding. -- WDSU.com Web Staff
11:16 a.m.: Reports Of Building Collapse On West Bank
New Orleans-area emergency officials say they can't reach a building blown down by Hurricane Katrina. Residents of the building on the Mississippi's west bank called 911 to say people might be trapped in the building. The storm's powerful wind and rain are making a mess in the city. In one downtown area, waters cover the first-floor of some buildings, and highway off-ramps from Interstate 10 resemble boat ramps leading down into a lake. But dire predictions of catastrophic flooding appear to have been overstated.
On historic Jackson Square in the French Quarter, two huge oak trees toppled outside the 278-year-old St. Louis Cathedral. They fell on either side of a marble statue of Jesus Christ, snapping off just a thumb and forefinger on his outstretched hand. -- Associated Press
11:07 a.m.: Alabama, Mississippi Getting Hammered
Katrina is pounding Alabama and Mississippi right now. In Mobile, there are reports of 10 feet of water on some streets, according to NBC reporter Kristen Dahlgren. There's also heavy flooding in Biloxi and the power is out. The whipping winds have blown the traffic signals right off their lines at some intersections. -- WDSU.com Web Staff
11:05 a.m.: Houma Fares Better Than Expected
Houma, La., which is about an hour southwest of New Orleans, fared better than expected, reported NBC's Steve Handelsman. However, roofs have been damaged, including some that peeled off, and trees and power lines are down. In New Orleans, there is extensive flooding and officials fear it will get worse before it gets better because Lake Ponchartrain is quickly filling and the water will have to go somewhere. -- WDSU.com Web Staff
10:51 a.m.: Rain Falling In Superdome
One of the thousands of New Orleans residents who took shelter in the Louisiana Superdome says if he wanted to watch a roof blow off, he could have stayed home. He and the other refugees instead are watching the rain fall into the arena after Hurricane Katrina ripped two holes in the roof. But he said getting wet is "no big deal." Superdome and government emergency officials say they consider the openings small -- about 15 to 20 feet long and 4 to 5 feet wide. They say they don't expect the roof to fail. Water's also leaking at the Superdome in elevators and stairwells, but the wind howling outside isn't heard inside. There are few comforts, and it's hot and muggy because the air conditioning is out. And one official says people last night "slept all over the place." However, there are bathrooms and donated food in the building. -- Associated Press
10:40 a.m.: Water Reaches 2nd Floor Of Beau Rivage Casino
Water has reached the second floor of the Beau Rivage Casino in Biloxi, Miss. There are reports of a 22-foot storm surge in the area. -- WDSU.com Web Staff
11:15 a.m.: Levee Breached At Industrial Canal
There's been a levee breach at an industrial canal in the 9th Ward in St. Bernard Parish. When this occurs, water rises rapidly, so residents should be extra alert to the threat of rising water. There are reports of 8 feet of water spilled out because of the breach. There is also heavy street flooding throughout Orleans, St. Bernard and Jefferson parishes. A WDSU crew drove around the city and some streets look like flowing rivers. Also, earlier reports of an apartment collapse in Jefferson Parish are false. It was actually a house that collapsed. -- WDSU.com Web Staff
10:10 a.m.: Bush Considers Releasing Oil From Nation's Reserve
President George W. Bush is considering whether to release some oil from the nation's petroleum reserves, to help refiners hurt by Hurricane Katrina. Administration officials say a decision is expected later today. The storm has already brought a shutdown of an estimated one million barrels of refining capacity along the Gulf Coast. Officials say Bush seems likely to authorize a loan of some oil from the reserve. -- Associated Press
10:05 a.m.: Don't Drink The Water In Jefferson Parish
Jefferson Parish Sheriff Harry Lee said residents in the parish should avoid drinking tap water for the time being because there may be problmes with it. He urged residents to drink bottled water only until further notice. -- WDSU.com Web Staff
9:51 a.m.: Hurricane Katrina Downgraded
Hurricane Katrina has now been downgraded to a Category 3 storm, with top winds of 125 mph. The center of hurricane Katrina was located near latitude 30.2 north, longitude 89.6 west. This position is near the mouth of the Pearl River, about 35 miles east-northeast of New Orleans. -- National Hurricane Center
9:47 a.m.: Boats In Buildings In Gulfport
In Gulfport, Miss., a fire chief says there are "boats that have gone into buildings." Waves are also crashing over the seawalls in Gulf Shores, Ala. -- Associated Press
9:46 a.m.: Storm Surge Threat Lessens
The National Hurricane Center is downgrading its dire predictions for a massive storm surge. The center's director says New Orleans could see a 15-foot storm surge -- down from a feared 28-foot swell. That would still be enough to cause extensive flooding. The highest storm surge recorded so far was 22 feet in Bay St. Louis. -- Associated Press
9:45 a.m.: Homeowner Says Water Rising
Chris Robinson says the water is rising in his New Orleans-area home, but he's "holding off on breaking through the roof" to escape. Robinson is keeping a hammer, ax and crowbar at the ready, though. He spoke by cellphone as water sent by Hurricane Katrina flooded parts of the city. -- Associated Press
9:33 a.m.: Power Lines Fall On Fire Truck
Hurricane Katrina is making for some dangerous conditions for emergency crews. There are reports of downed power lines on a fire truck in Hattiesburg, Miss. Five firefighters are trapped inside the vehicle. -- WDSU.com Web Staff
9:25 a.m.: East Jefferson Hospital Also Flooding
There are also reports of water on the lower floor of East Jefferson Hospital. The flooding may be related to unconfirmed reports of levee breaks along industrial canals in the area. -- WDSU.com Web Staff
9:15 a.m.: Florida Misses Brunt Of Katrina
This time, Florida seems to be missing the brunt of a hurricane. Nine people died last week as Katrina crossed Florida as a Category 1 Hurricane. Now, the Category 4 storm is focusing its wrath on Gulf Coast states west of Florida. But the fringes of the huge storm are being felt in the Panhandle, in the form of 46 mph wind gusts and a 6-foot storm surge. A Pensacola-area government official sympathizes with New Orleans and Mississippi but says locals are "grateful" the storm is just brushing their state. -- Associated Press
9:04 a.m.: Ocshner Hospital Flooding
Heavy rains associated with Hurricane Katrina are sending floodwaters into the first floor of Ocshner Hospital. Patients are being moved to the upper floors of the building. -- WDSU.com Web Staff
8:46 a.m.: Superdome Damage Considered Minor
The National Guard told reporters at a news conference in Baton Rouge, La., that the holes in the roof at the Superdome are only minor. A representative of the National Guard blamed the strong winds for ripping the fabric, but he said there were no structural problems with the roof, and evacuees in the affected areas were moved. -- WDSU.com Web Staff
8:38 a.m.: Storm Rips Superdome Roof
The thousands of people who took shelter in the New Orleans Superdome couldn't completely escape the wrath of Hurricane Katrina. The storm has now torn two holes in the roof of the huge arena. People inside can hear the rumbling of the winds ripping at the metal on the roof. They can see the metal flapping, and can even see the sky through the holes. Water is dripping in and people are being moved away from about five sections of seats. General Manager Glenn Menard says he does not know how serious the problem is. He says there's no way of getting anyone up there to look at it. -- Associated Press
8:21 a.m.: Conditions Should Improve In New Orleans
The center of Hurricane Katrina is moving northward, and residents in New Orleans may soon see some improvement. But People in Slidell will soon see conditions turning worse. Deteriorating weather is also expected in Picayune and Springhill. -- WDSU chief meteorologist Dan Milham
8:18 a.m.: Katrina Hammers Gulf Coast
The storm is hammering the Gulf Coast with huge waves and tree-bending winds. Exploding transformers lit up the predawn sky in Mobile, Ala. Tree limbs litter the roads and blinding rain has whipped up the sand on deserted Gulfport, Miss., beaches. National Hurricane Center Director Max Mayfield warns that the worst may still be ahead. He says "It's capable of causing catastrophic damage." -- Associated Press
8:08 a.m.: Superdome Roof Damaged
Part of the roof at the New Orleans Superdome is gone. A 3-by-5-foot chunk is missing, and people are being ushered off the field of the stadium. Although the roof has been breached, those inside are remaining calm. A heavy mist is reported inside, and some are now wearing raincoats. -- WDSU reporter Travers Mackel