<< Return to Site News
September 01, 2005
Hurricane Katrina
I've been rendered speechless for the past couple days by the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. I've been watching the news coverage with my mouth open in disbelief. I think it's safe to say none of us has ever seen anything like it. It is officially the worst natural disaster in U.S. history and the news from the scene only gets worse with each passing day. New Orleans is now an uninhabitable wasteland. There is civil unrest and chaos everywhere. In addition, a health crisis is brewing with water full of sewage, dead bodies, snakes, alligators, mosquitos, and who knows what else. It's a "toxic stew" that is going to start making people sick very soon, if it hasn't already. As this article in the New York Times explains:
"The officials said they were particularly worried about outbreaks of disease spread through sewage contamination of drinking water, spoiled food, insects, and bites from snakes and other animals."
To make matters worse, the hospitals are out of commission. If they don't get everyone evacuated soon, the situation is going to be grim. Sadly, thousands of people are still trapped in attics and roofs and it looks like it will take a while to get them all out.
Also from the article:
"Other worries will focus on bites from poisonous snakes like the cottonmouth, an excellent swimmer. Alligators could also be a menace, as could raccoons, which are capable of spreading rabies and leptospirosis, a bacterial disease that can lead to meningitis, kidney damage and liver failure."
I hope the health situation does not become too grim and they can evacuate everyone who's still alive before it's too late. My heart goes out to everyone involved. I've been to New Orleans and it's such a unique city, full of history and wonderful people.
I hope one day it will regain what it has so tragically lost.
Posted by Tracy on September 1, 2005 04:07 AM
