Hurricane Katrina Leaves Tremendous Damage In Wake

Katrina has left tremendous damage in its wake. Many areas were flooded out, although the city of New Orleans escaped the worst of nature's fury. Scientists had feared that this storm would be the city-killer that they had feared. New Orleans is below sea level, and is protected by a series of levees. If the storm surge was as the scientists had predicted, they would have been swamped easily. Fortunately, that was not the case.

Yet, this storm was not without dire consequences elsewhere. This storm has done tremendous damage up and down the Gulf Coast.

Of course, the pundits and media are looking to question how New Orleans handled the evacuation of the city and building inspections over the years.

Take historically weak Louisiana building codes and questionable enforcement. Add a housing stock that is virtually all wood-framed -- and often aged and dilapidated. Stir in the fact that many structures have been weakened by termite infestation.

Then top it off with a predicted 28-foot storm surge that could overwhelm levees and pumps that keep the Mississippi River and Lake Ponchartrain out of bowl-shaped New Orleans.

What you have is a recipe for a disaster so ruinous it could overshadow the catastrophic damage Hurricane Andrew wrought in southern Miami-Dade County in 1992.

What will the scientists learn from this - why were their predictions off on where this storm would hit, and how will they improve their models. It is on the basis of those modeling programs that politicians decide whether they need to evacuate their localities. Improved models make for more precise damage estimates and give people a better idea of what they were up against.

Some people online are claiming that this hurricane was overhyped. As if a major category four storm is anything to laugh at. The flooding was severe as was the wind and other storm damage. Hundreds of thousands are without power. At this point, the loss of life is low, although there are many areas that have yet to check in.

After the scientists check in with what they've learned, I would want to hear from the engineers who manage the levee systems, the hydrologists who monitor the systems and the inspectors who are supposed to oversee the buildings throughout the region. What lessons will they take back from this storm? Will they call for stronger construction techniques, larger setbacks from low-lying areas or call for a ban on development in the lowest lying areas?

Also, law enforcement and emergency services must be better prepared for these kinds of emergencies. We've heard numerous reports that shelters were badly damaged and that firehouses, police stations, and emergency centers were damaged as well. We must do better for these critical facilities. These should be refuges of last resort that people can have some confidence in.

UPDATE:
Brendan Loy has some amazing photos on his site of the damage and flooding in and around New Orleans.