Sep
02
2008
NOLA Survives Gustav
Posted by: admin in General, tags: evacuation, gustav, katrina, levee, New Orleans, nola
Half of New Orleans was without power on Tuesday, its sewage system was damaged and authorities said it was too soon for evacuees to go home, but the low-lying city breathed a sigh of relief after escaping a direct hit from Hurricane Gustav.
Gustav pounded the U.S. Gulf coast on Monday and many had feared a repeat of the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina three years ago, but New Orleans’ levees appeared to hold firm this time.
Gustav weakened before hitting the coast to the west of New Orleans as a Category 2 hurricane, and the city was saved a devastating blow.
Although it landed west of New Orleans, Gustav was a crucial test for a levee system still being rebuilt after it collapsed during Katrina in 2005, when 80 percent of the city was flooded and about 1,500 people killed .
The levees appeared to hold firm this time and water levels in the most vulnerable canals were receding on Tuesday.
In a virtual ghost town of just 10,000 people who defied evacuation orders, residents emerged from boarded up homes relieved to find only broken tree branches and toppled signs.
“I’m not cleaning up the street by any means, but I am in front of my home because it makes me feel better psychologically,” retiree Raymond Bankston said as he raked leaves outside his home.
Louisiana officials reported six storm-related deaths, including an elderly couple in Baton Rouge who were killed when a tree fell on their home.
In contrast to the rampant lawlessness that followed Katrina, New Orleans police said they had only arrested two people for looting during the storm.
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September 9th, 2008 at 6:42 am
Glad to hear they are doing ok!
September 9th, 2008 at 6:44 am
restaurants couldn’t have afforded another hit, looking forward to my visit next month.