Updates as they come in on Katrina
03:25 PM CDT on Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Tom Planchet
3:25 P.M. - With conditions in the hurricane-ravaged city of New Orleans rapidly deteriorating, Gov. Kathleen Blanco said Tuesday that people now huddled in the Superdome and other rescue centers need to be evacuated.
"The situation is untenable," Blanco said during a news conference. "It's just heartbreaking."
3:15 P.M. - Charity Hospital is out of commission and they are trying to evacuate patients, but it is hard to get there because rising water is surrounding the hospital. They will try to evacuate the patients to other cities.
3:13 P.M. - Governor Blanco: A lot of people have lost their lives, but we have no numbers because the priority is saving those who are alive so we don't have more casualties.
3:12 P.M. - Senator Vitter: Mayor Nagin's calm and control and command of the facts showed me that we have one of the best leaders in the country right here.
3:12 P.M. - Senator Landrieu - Scenes are similar to what she saw after the Tsunami.
3:11 P.M. - Senator Landrieu: Those who evacuated should be patient and thank God that they are okay because so many still need to get out.
3:09 P.M. - Senator Landrieu: Plenty of people still on rooftops in N.O. East waiting to be rescued. Every boat available is being used to try to save people.
3:07 P.M. - Governor Blanco: We are looking for ways to get people out of the Superdome and out of New Orleans said Governor Blanco as she tried to keep from crying.
Governor Blanco is way over her head and what is needed are people that understand a disaster and do not get emotional right now. This press conference reveals a Governor that has very little clue on what to do next.
Without the guy talking she would look even worse. She is terrible -- as Governor you have to be able to handle anything thrown at you. Look at Gov Keating when the OKC Bombing occured -- he provided people with a Governor that stood strong and gave comfort. This Governor is weak.
We may never know how many lives were lost. Bodies never recovered. It might be better to not even release total death estimates.