http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/WWLBLOG.ac3fcea.html
Updates as they come in on Katrina
11:58 AM CDT on Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Tom Planchet
11:58 A.M. - Homeland security chief optimistic that 3,000 pound sandbags can plug 200 foot levee break at 17th Street Canal.
11:55 A.M. - Super Wal-Mart in Kenner open for supplies.
11:54 A.M. - Kenner mayor asking for more National Guard. Asks anyone with the guard to call 468-7200.
11:53 A.M. - Two dead in Slidell in rising waters after attempting to get back to their homes. The victims had initially evacuated.
11:52 A.M. - Entergy reports 1.1 million outages in Mississippi and Louisiana.
11:50 A.M. JP Sheriff asking anyone with a boat to bring it to Sam's Parking lot on Airline and Cleary to help with evacuations.
11:46 A.M. - (AP) The president asked individual Americans to get involved with the relief effort, suggesting anyone who wishes to help could call 1-800-HELPNOW, log on to the Red Cross Web site or get in touch with the Salvation Army.
11:44 A.M. - LSU becoming a major staging area for injured and evacuees. Campus allowing families of students to house with them. Making facilities available as "community responsibility" according to Chancellor Sean O'Keefe.
11:43 A.M. - Councilman Byron Lee of Jefferson Parish, "This is not life as it used to be. It's like a war zone."
11:39 A.M. (AP) - National Guardsmen brought in people from outlying areas to the Superdome in the backs of big 2 1/2-ton Army trucks. Louisiana's wildlife enforcement department also brought people in on the backs of their pickups. Some were wet, some were in wheelchairs, some were holding babies and nothing else.
11:35 A.M. - (AP) Downtown streets that were relatively clear in the hours after the storm were filled with 1 to 1 1/2 feet of water Tuesday morning. Water was knee-deep around the Superdome. Canal Street was literally a canal. Water lapped at the edge of the French Quarter. Clumps of red ants floated in the gasoline-fouled waters downtown.
11:28 A.M. - JP Councilman Chris Roberts: Three rescued from Grand Isle, according to Grand Isle Mayor.
11:26 A.M. - New Orleans Times-Picayune newspaper evacuating offices.
11:21 A.M. (AP) - The White House says President Bush is cutting short his vacation to return to Washington to monitor the hurricane recovery efforts.
11:16 A.M. - Gretna Police Chief...some people south of Gretna Blvd. trapped in water in homes, waiting to be rescued, but believed safe. Several looters arrested, chief says about 50. Lots of debris, at least some structural damage in 95 to 98 percent of buildings. Water is off in Gretna due to barge that was hit and dumped diesel into water supply. Plenty of homes with structural damage...a few that have collapsed. As far as police chief knows, No deaths in Gretna, two minor injuries. Chief says looting has been mainly for groceries. Law enforcement given "whatever authority they need" to prevent looting of homes.
11:15 A.M. - Hospitals with no power and rising waters are bringing patients to the Superdome.
11:13 A.M. - Plaquemines Parish...if you are found on the street...will be arrested. Marshall law in effect. 60 percent of homes flooded. 50 people rescued.
flutters posted:
"11:21 A.M. (AP) - The White House says President Bush is cutting short his vacation to return to Washington to monitor the hurricane recovery efforts. "
Outside of the White House, FEMA, a few here and not many others, the scope of this has yet to be comprehended.
The media is just now figuring out that the bullet New Orleans "dodged", hit the Mississippi shore. They have yet to grasp that it then ricocheted back and is now in New Orleans again.
Be prepared for shocks today and tomorrow. Try to keep a positive attitude. No matter the damage, fear and panic will not help. This is the United States, and we will see this through.
Info w/ sources I've been looking for. Please ping me on any further updates. I'm office bound. Our corporate office is in CDT New Orleans and lots of my coworker friends live there and in outlying areas. Thanks - OB1