Katrina and the Waves [of Destruction].....

[poltr1]

(Yes, I know. Bad pun. Go to Penalty Box. Go directly to Penalty Box. Do not pass "Go!" Do not collect $200.)

Was following the weather coverage yesterday and the devastation today. Incredible. :(

This storm is gonna be costly -- insurance claims will be in the tens (if not hundreds) of billions of dollars. I won't be surprised if some insurers stop doing business in Louisiana and Mississippi.

One oil drilling platform came off its moorings. It's gonna take some serious effort (and cash) to put it back on its pier and resume drilling.

In the meantime, I worry about the price of crude oil....and gasoline. Will we see $3/gallon prices soon?

Listening to NPR today brought out some interesting points of view.

The French Quarter is on a small hill -- only a few feet above sea level.

Having a barrier island or wetlands might mitigate the damage caused by storm surge.

Emergency shelters don't take pets.

Some people just can't evacuate. They either don't have cars, are in hospitals, or are locked up in jail.

And now I'm getting the rain from what's left of the storm.

Lastly, here's an entry from one of my LJ friends who was living in Miami when Hurricane Andrew hit.

Comments

[figmo.livejournal.com]

It's already past $3.00/gallon in parts of the SF Bay Area.

Meanwhile, one of my co-workers told me her mother's house is under water. Fortunately, her mother evacuated, but.....

[autographedcat.livejournal.com]

Yes, that is a terrible pun. I'm just glad someone other than me was also thinking it...

[joecoustic.livejournal.com]

According to the news this evening it's already up to $3.00 per gallon at at least one station around Indianapolis. They were also talking about how one chain (I forget which one but it wasn't a big name that I was familiar with) will only be able to sell a few gallons to people (if any at all) since they have the local government business (also an Indianapolis based story). I did go to fill up on Tuesday and my gas station only had premium left - I guess I wasn't the first with that idea. But even that was cheaper than regular may be when I go out tomorrow....