10:01 AM CDT on Thursday, September 1, 2005
10:01 A.M. - (AP) -- The military plans to increase the number of National Guard troops on duty in Louisiana and Mississippi from a combined 7,400 to about 18,100, the senior commander in charge of military relief and rescue efforts said Thursday.
9:45 A.M. - Dave Matthews Band is expected to announce a concert today benefitting the hurricane victims.
9:36 A.M. - NEW YORK (AP): Harry Connick Jr., who grew up in New Orleans, says the city will rebuild and that its residents are "freakishly strong."
In an interview today on NBC's "Today" show, Connick compared the rejuvenating spirit of New Yorkers after the September 11 terror attacks to those in the hurricane-ravaged city.
Connick was born and raised in New Orleans, developing his music in jazz bands and at clubs in the French Quarter. His father, Harry Connick Senior, served as district attorney of Orleans Parish for 29 years before retiring in 2003.
He will join a televised fund-raiser, "A Concert for Hurricane Relief," tomorrow on NBC, MSNBC and CNBC at 7 p.m. that also will include performances by Wynton Marsalis and Tim McGraw.
In a posting on his Web site, Connick said he knew his immediate family was safe, but hadn't yet heard from other family and friends.
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Monday return not recommendedOfficials at the State Emergency Operations Center said Thursday morning that Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard's plan to allow citizens back to Jefferson Parish on Monday is not a good idea. The return, they said, would slow recovery and endanger lives. |
My father-in-law got through this morning. There is little chance that power will be restored until some time after Labor Day. The generators for Lamar Co/Forrest Co are on the coast and are basically destroyed. He is unable to leave because he is managing a plant and the resources of the plant, left uncooled, could create an environmental disaster in the area. He has split his staff into two shifts, acting as both maintenance and security, guarding the plant with shotguns. There has been limited looting. There are such a limited supply of fuel for clearing the trees that some areas still do not have access to main roads. We are sending a truckload of supplies this weekend hoping that power will be back and the recovery can begin in earnest next week.
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