Katrina Pounds US

So a strong Category 5 hurricane raced towards New Orleans yesterday, spreading panic as it came. However, the big easy was spared the brunt of the storm as the strongest winds and storm surges passed the city to the east as the hurricane dropped in intensity to category 4 at landfall. It may not seem like much, but the difference in winds was almost 40 mph (145 mph instead of 180-185 mph about 12 hours before landfall).

The damage was extreme, but it could have been much, much worse. Count your blessings. :)

UPDATE: A 200m breach in one of the Levees protecting New Orleans from the ocean is allowing water to pour into the city, effectively turning it into one big lake. The problem now is to seal the breach, and to remove the water. This will be a challenge, since most of the city is already below sea level. Prayers to those still in the city.