An account from
the BBCstates that as of earlier this evening, 5 people have are dead, but the number of deaths is expected to rise, as
The Mississippi resort towns of Biloxi and Gulfport bore the brunt of Katrina as it spun away from New Orleans.
The BBC has estimated the cost of the damage from Katrina at
$25bn
And, CBC is reporting that
In Mississippi's Harrison County, emergency operations center spokesman Jim Pollard said an estimated 50 people were killed by Katrina, with the bulk of the deaths at an apartment complex in Biloxi. Three other people were killed by falling trees in Mississippi and two died in a traffic accident in Alabama, authorities said.
In a separate article CBC focuses on the number of people at the Superdome and the conditions there.
(continuted)
The conditions in the Superdome are a serious cause for concern, as between 8000-9000 are reported to be sheltered there.
Reassuring those who are following the impact of Katrina carefully, Terry Ebbert, chief of homeland security for New Orleans claimed,
"They're in for another miserable night,...They're safe."
Ebbert also blamed the victims of those who were unable to leave New Orleans, saying,
"Some of them, it was their last night on Earth,"..."That's a hard way to learn a lesson."
Contrary to some earlier concerns,
Superdome and government emergency officials stressed that they did not expect the huge roof to fail because of the relatively small breaches.
However,
In addition to the two holes, water was leaking in through many other areas, including elevators and stairwells, as the wind forced water in through any small opening. Across Poydras Street, numerous shattered windows were visible on high-rise office buildings.
Glenn Menard, general manager of the Superdome, said that although only the two holes were visible from the interior, more damage was possible.
People seeking shelter from Katrina have been subjected to searches
for guns, knives and drugs. It was almost 10:30 p.m. before the last person was searched and allowed in.
The health of those seeking shelter is also a concern according to Dr. Kevin Stephens Sr,
"We've got sick babies, sick old people and everything in between,"
and
"We're seen strokes, chest pain, diabetes patients passing out, seizures, people without medicine, people with the wrong medicine. It's been busy."
Also, George W. Bush has attempted to demonstrate concern by considering
releasing oil from the nation's emergency stockpile if necessary.
Nothing about the health of the people, the fact that many may lose their homes, or the conditions that they are being forced to survive in! Not a word about the loss of life! Just "considering" releasing oil from this country's emergency stockpile.
If that doesn't tell the rest of the public what his prioritiers are, nothing will!