Katrina and the Waves
As I write this my wife, daughter and I are glued to the Weather Channel watching news of Hurricane Katrina's path of destruction across the Gulf Coast.
Predicted as possibly one of the largest and most destructive hurricanes of recent memory, Katrina is pummeling the south with 165mph winds, 40 foot tidal waves and is flooding centers of major cities such as Mobile and New Orleans. Reports from the mayor of New Orleans are saying that many old and historic buildings in the city have collapsed -- perhaps with people still inside. Levees have broken sending up to 37 feet of storm surge throughout the cities along the Gulf Coast. The mayor reports people are clinging the roofs of their buildings praying for rescue. Windows have been blown out of skyscrapers and other buildings in the city center and the streets are flooded with up to 8 feet of water. Even those who sought shelter in the Louisana Superdome are threatened with the storm as the layers of the roof tear off exposing 9000 people sheltering within to Mother Nature's wrath.
In addition to the destructive powers of the hurricane's eyewall itself, tornadoes -- a side effect of the hurricane -- are ripping across Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and even as far north as Kentucky.
Further, the Weather Channel reports that Katrina -- a storm whose reach stretches over 250 miles -- will still be packing hurricane force winds as it hits Hattiesburg, MS later this evening.
Being from the Upper Midwest, you might wonder why we're paying so much attention to a storm that the local papers barely mention.
We're watching so intently because as we watch Katrina tear through the South, our thoughts continuously wander to cousins, aunts and uncles who live in and along Biloxi, Gulfport, Ocean Springs as well as Hattiesburg, MS.
Hey Kelly, Lamar, William, Ryan, Aunt Sharon and everyone else: We know power and phones are out. And we know you have more important things to worry about right now, but we're thinking of you and hope to hear from you safe-and-sound very soon....
Predicted as possibly one of the largest and most destructive hurricanes of recent memory, Katrina is pummeling the south with 165mph winds, 40 foot tidal waves and is flooding centers of major cities such as Mobile and New Orleans. Reports from the mayor of New Orleans are saying that many old and historic buildings in the city have collapsed -- perhaps with people still inside. Levees have broken sending up to 37 feet of storm surge throughout the cities along the Gulf Coast. The mayor reports people are clinging the roofs of their buildings praying for rescue. Windows have been blown out of skyscrapers and other buildings in the city center and the streets are flooded with up to 8 feet of water. Even those who sought shelter in the Louisana Superdome are threatened with the storm as the layers of the roof tear off exposing 9000 people sheltering within to Mother Nature's wrath.
In addition to the destructive powers of the hurricane's eyewall itself, tornadoes -- a side effect of the hurricane -- are ripping across Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and even as far north as Kentucky.
Further, the Weather Channel reports that Katrina -- a storm whose reach stretches over 250 miles -- will still be packing hurricane force winds as it hits Hattiesburg, MS later this evening.
Being from the Upper Midwest, you might wonder why we're paying so much attention to a storm that the local papers barely mention.
We're watching so intently because as we watch Katrina tear through the South, our thoughts continuously wander to cousins, aunts and uncles who live in and along Biloxi, Gulfport, Ocean Springs as well as Hattiesburg, MS.
Hey Kelly, Lamar, William, Ryan, Aunt Sharon and everyone else: We know power and phones are out. And we know you have more important things to worry about right now, but we're thinking of you and hope to hear from you safe-and-sound very soon....
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home