Storm's Worst To Hit Louisiana Monday
As Hurricane Katrina strengthened to a Category 5 storm -- the
strongest measurable -- on Sunday over the Gulf of Mexico,
residents of southeastern Louisiana were preparing for the worst
while those in southern Florida picked up the pieces, and counted
themselves as fortunate.
"We're calling this Little Andrew," said Lawrence Percival of
Kendall, FL to the Miami Herald. Percival's driveway was blocked by
a 30-foot downed oak.
With damage reported along the storm's wide path through
southern Florida, Miami International and Fort Lauderdale
International airports reopened Friday, less than 24 hours after
they closed in anticipation of Katrina's wrath. Inbound and
outbound schedules had returned to almost normal by Saturday
afternoon.
Minor damage was reported at both airports, with a few of Fort
Lauderdale's canvas awnings damaged by wind-driven rain and hail. A
single-engine airplane was knocked into a drainage ditch.
Miami International also reported damage, including a Bolivian
LAB A300 that was blown off the tarmac.
Observers fear even with flooding
reported throughout southern Florida and a death toll of seven
reported from Friday's storms, the news will be far worse for those
in southeastern Louisiana, specifically New Orleans.
The newly-strengthened Katrina is expected to make landfall
there at 1400 local time tomorrow, but hurricane force winds
approaching 160 mph will hit coastal areas Sunday night.
A forced evacuation of New Orleans has been called. As many as
30,000 residents fled the city Saturday, with many more behind them
attempting to outrun the vicious storm.
It is feared that levees and flood walls protecting New
Orleans -- much of which lies below sea level -- will not be enough
to prevent tidal waves and torrential rains expected with the
hurricane from drowning the city of New Orleans.
"Katrina continues not only grow stronger, but it continues to
grow larger," the city of New Orleans said in a statement posted on
its Web site. "Everyone along the northern Gulf of Mexico needs to
take this hurricane very seriously and put action plans into play
now."
Michelle Duffourc, spokeswoman for Louis Armstrong New Orleans
International Airport, says it is up to each airline to determine
when they can no longer fly from the airport. The airport will
close, she told local TV station KLFY-10, when management can no
longer ensure safe operations. She added that decision usually
comes well after the airlines decide to stop flying.
Stay tuned to ANN for the latest updates concerning Hurricane
Katrina's impact on the southern US.
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