CNN: New Orleans takes a beating
“Total structural failure” in parts of city
Section of Superdome roof opens up
Category 4 storm with 135 mph winds
Coastal Mississippi may bear brunt of storm
Three dead in evacuation
Apparently power is out in the entire city but some emergency generators are working. There are anywhere from 10,000 – 30,000 people in the Superdome – I’ve seen differing numbers. Large holes have been ripped in the roof through which daylight is visible.
BBC: Hurricane smashes into New Orleans
Hurricane Katrina begins to hit the city of New Orleans causing structural damage and flooding homes.
MORE…
Katrina Blog: Hurricane Downgraded
Compiled From Staff Reports; Headlines Indicate Central Time
11:15 a.m.: Levee Breached At Industrial Canal
There’s been a levee breach at an industrial canal in St. Bernard Parish. When this occurs, water rises rapidly, so residents should be extra alert to the threat of rising water. There is heavy street flooding throughout Orleans, St. Bernard and Jefferson parishes. 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
etc…
http://www.10news.com/news/4908558/detail.html