Katrina: At A Glance
Entries compiled from staff reports and other sources.7:15 p.m.: Recent Updates:Lisa Woodruff-White, assistant secretary with the Department of Social Services, says there are currently 120 shelters in Louisiana with 40,000 occupants. There aren't numbers yet on how many citizens have evacuated to other states.Meanwhile, FEMA Director Mike Brown says the federal agency is here for the long-haul and plans to stay long-term to help New Orleans get back on its feet. Brown says he's calling upon looters to stop raiding businesses, saying "this is not the time for that".Gov. Kathleen Blanco says she's prepared to do whatever it takes to put a stop to the looting and added that those people who choose to rob businesses and homes will be taken off the streets. Attorney General Charles Foti says a temporary court system will likely have to be set up to keep criminal justice system working. -- Associated Press6 p.m.: Officials Say No One Escaped From Orleans Parish Prison:
State corrections officials said no one escaped from the Orleans Parish Prison, as had been rumored in recent days. Inmates were spotted on the Broad Street overpass on Tuesday, but they were waiting to be transfered. About 1,300 were taken to other prisons across Louisiana, and hundreds more were moved Wednesday. -- WDSU anchors Norman Robinson and Kriss Fairbairn5:57 p.m.: Bucktown Destroyed When Retaining Wall Collapses:
The historic Bucktown area was destroyed when a canal retaining wall collapsed. Water flooded the area, and wind demolished homes and businesses near Old Hammond Highway. -- WDSU anchors Norman Robinson and Kriss Fairbairn5:53 p.m.: Pentagon Sends Guard Reinforcements
Ten thousand more National Guard troops from across the country are heading into the Gulf Coast region, according to the Pentagon. That brings the number of troops dedicated to the recovery effort to more than 28,000. One commander said about one-third will be assigned to help stop looting, enforce curfews and assist local police. There are also thousands of Navy personnel and hundreds of workers with the Army Corps of Engineers responding to the disaster. -- Associated Press5 p.m.: Houston Hospitals Take Patients From New Orleans
Six children in serious condition and needing medical care arrived in Houston Wednesday on small planes from Louisiana.They're among the first patients being evacuated from New Orleans hospitals flooded by Hurricane Katrina. Memorial Hermann Hospital sent six ambulances, two helicopters and two small planes to the airport in Baton Rouge, La.From there, the helicopters flew to New Orleans, where they began picking up patients from Ochsner Hospital.Numerous hospitals in Texas, including those at the famed Texas Medical Center in Houston, are opening their doors to patients who needed care.The Texas Medical Association said more than 400 physicians have signed up to help hurricane victims in Louisiana and along the Gulf Coast, plus to help evacuees. -- Associated Press4:30 p.m.: Bush Calls On Americans To Help Victims
President George W. Bush called Hurricane Katrina one of the worst natural disasters in the nation's history. Hours after flying over the destruction caused by the hurricane, Bush urged Americans to contribute to the recovery effort and said the federal government is moving quickly to help the Gulf Coast region.Bush said he has appointed a cabinet-level task force to oversee the federal response to the disaster.He said the Department of Transportation is loading up 400 trucks with food, water and cots. -- Associated Press4:37 p.m.: President Warns Of Gas Supply Problems
President Bush is warning Americans about the nation's gasoline supply, saying everyone must understand that Hurricane Katrina has had a significant effect.Speaking at a White House news conference, the president stressed that Katrina has disrupted America's ability to both make and distribute gasoline. -- Associated Press4:10 p.m.: Members Of Congress Also Homeless
Members of Congress are among those who have lost their homes to Hurricane Katrina.The highest-profile lawmaker impacted by the storm is U.S. Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss. His antebellum home in Pascagoula was leveled by the storm surge.Lott's press secretary said Lott and his wife are driving to Pascagoula to search for anything that might be left.Mississippi Congressman Gene Taylor's home near Gulfport has been flattened.Three congressmen who live in or near New Orleans are not sure about their homes. William Jefferson represents an area on the eastern side of the city. He left with his family before Katrina hit and has not been able to get back.Bobby Jindal has been unable to check on the condition of his home in a New Orleans suburb.And all Congressman Charlie Melancon knows for certain is that his district office is under up to 18 feet of water. -- Associated Press3:09 p.m.: Bush Releases Oil From Reserve
The Bush administration today agreed to release oil from emergency stockpiles as part of the recovery from Hurricane Katrina.The administration also moved to temporarily ease some pollution standards on gasoline and diesel fuel to avert shortages. The decision to tap the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is an effort to keep production of gasoline and other fuels steady. Even so, gas prices leaped nationwide.The oil reserves consist of some 700 million barrels of crude oil stored in underground salt caverns in Texas and Louisiana. The reserves were last tapped in September-October of 2004 during disruptions caused by Hurricane Ivan. -- Associated Press2:45 p.m.: Video Shows Rescues, Desperate Calls For Help
The latest video from New Orleans shows apartment buildings with people crowded on balconies and roofs. Below, flood waters lap at the second floor. Two children standing on one roof held up a sign that read: "Help us."A Blackhawk helicopter crew rescued at least eight people from a roof where, in red spray paint, was written the words "Diabetic, Heart Transplant, Need transportation."Two-by-two, the chopper hoisted the people off the roof as the wash from its rotors blew shingles off another section of the building and caused small waves in the water below.Other shots show people standing at windows and on balconies, some waving white towels to attract the attention of possible rescuers. The flood waters cover everything as far as the eye can see. In the bright sunlight, there's a sheen caused by gasoline seeping from the underground tanks of a gas station. Three people who were standing in the bed of a flooded pickup truck later waded and swam through those waters, trying to reach safety. -- Associated Press2:39 p.m.: Airlines Cancel More Flights
Some airlines have canceled flights to the New Orleans and Gulfport, Miss., airports due to Hurricane Katrina. The New Orleans airport has reopened to allow humanitarian flights in and out during daylight hours, but officials are unsure when commercial service will resume.Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines has canceled all flights into and out of the New Orleans and Gulfport airports through at least Monday.Fort Worth-based American Airlines doesn't expect to resume scheduled flights to New Orleans until next Tuesday, at the earliest.Houston-based Continental Airlines and its Continental Express commuter canceled 40 flights Wednesday and the same for tomorrow in and out of New Orleans and Gulfport. -- Associated Press1:15 p.m.: Nagin: Hundreds, Maybe Thousands Dead
New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin says hundreds, maybe thousands, of people have died in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina slammed into the city on Monday. Nagin says it will at least two or three months before the city has electricity, restaurants won't be able to open and there won't be any commerce. At an impromptu news conference at the Hyatt Hotel, Nagin had no details about the deaths. -- Associated Press12:53 p.m.: Carnival Cruise Ships May Become Shelters
Miami-based Carnival Cruise Lines says it is considering a federal request that the company use some of its cruise ships as emergency shelters or help in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in some other way. The world's largest cruise line says doing so would be complicated, but that the company is actively taking a look at the proposal. Carnival operates 21 ships. -- Associated Press12:28 p.m.: Bush Gets Aerial Tour On Way Back To DC
President George W. Bush got an aerial view of Hurricane Katrina's destruction today as he flew back to Washington. Bush may visit the area devastated by the hurricane later in the week.The press of the federal response to the emergency in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama prompted the president to leave his Central Texas ranch two days early. He flew to Washington to coordinate the federal response to the disaster along the Gulf Coast.White House spokesman Scott McClellan said the government is declaring the hurricane to be an "incident of national significance."That triggers a recently developed national emergency plan for the first time and will allow better coordination among government agencies. -- Associated Press12:23 p.m.: Americans Contribute Millions To Katrina Fund
Americans are pouring in millions of dollars in donations for disaster relief in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The Red Cross said it has so far raised $21 million, a figure comparable to the response for tsunami victims following the devastation in Asia earlier this year. Nearly $15 million of that has come from individual donations through its Web site, with the rest representing corporate contributions.Spokeswoman Kara Bunte said the outpouring of support has been amazing. She said people are now starting to see the images on TV and want to help.Catholic Charities USA said it has received hundreds of calls in the last few days from volunteers asking how they can help. The group has raised $15,000 through its Web site, but will be stepping up collection efforts at churches in the coming days. -- Associated Press12:01 p.m.: NCAA Works With Schools To Reschedule Games
The NCAA said it will work with schools and conferences affected by Hurricane Katrina. The storm has forced several college football games to be postponed or canceled.Jacksonville's scheduled football game Thursday night at Southeastern Louisiana was postponed indefinitely. Among other postponed games were Saturday's LSU versus North Texas game and the Tulane-Southern Mississippi game, which was switched from Sunday to the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Saturday's scheduled Nicholls State-Utah and Southern-McNeese State games were canceled. -- Associated Press11:52 p.m.: Texas Public Schools To Enroll Refugee Children
Texas public schools will enroll children of Hurricane Katrina refugees sheltered within each district. Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco agreed Wednesday to move thousands of Katrina refugees from New Orleans to Houston.The Texas Education Agency has been directed to provide all needed support for districts having to absorb children from Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. TEA has said the refugee children can qualify as "homeless" and may enroll without proof of residence.Also, health officials say normal immunization requirements for attending school or child-care facilities in Texas will be temporarily waived for children displaced by the hurricane. -- Associated Press10:07 a.m.: IRS Extends Tax Deadlines
The Internal Revenue Service has extended tax deadlines for individuals and businesses affected by Hurricane Katrina. The extension gives taxpayers until Oct. 31 to file tax returns and submit tax payments. The extension includes the Sept. 15 deadline for estimated taxes. The Internal Revenue Service will not charge interest or late penalties that would otherwise apply. Taxpayers in affected areas should write "Hurricane Katrina" in red ink on forms filed with the IRS. -- Associated Press9:33 a.m.: Mayor: It Could Take Months To Get People Home
The mayor of New Orleans says it could be months before evacuees from Hurricane Katrina will be allowed back into the city.Two broken levees continue to spill water into the streets, swamping an estimated 80 percent of the below-sea-level city. Efforts to plug the leaks aren't going very well, and the governor has ordered the city abandoned for now.Speaking on ABC's "Good Morning America," Mayor Ray Nagin says it could be 12 to 16 weeks before anyone will be allowed back in. Besides the flooding, he says he's concerned about disease issues because of dead bodies in the water.Gov. Kathleen Blanco tells ABC that looting is also a severe problem but the focus right now is on survivors. It could take a month just to pump out the water. -- Associated Press9:14 a.m.: Volunteers Head to La. To Look For Lost Pets
A Madison County, Ill., prosecutor is leaving this week for the Gulf Coast to offer assistance to some lower profile hurricane victims -- family pets.Amy Maher is a coordinator for a national organization called Noah's Wish, which works to save as many pets as possible during such catastrophes. The group expects more than 100 Noah's Wish volunteers to arrive in Louisiana Thursday.The volunteers will provide temporary shelter for animals whose owners are unable to care for them in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. If they can't be reunited with their original owners, some of the rescued animals could also be brought back to Illinois and put up for adoption. -- Associated Press9:06 a.m.: Pope Praying For Victims
Pope Benedict said he is praying for victims of Hurricane Katrina and urged rescue workers to persevere in bringing comfort to survivors.In a telegram of condolences, Benedict said he was "deeply saddened" to learn of the catastrophe caused by the storm. The telegram, sent by the Vatican's secretary of state, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, said Benedict was praying for the victims and offered consolation to their families. -- Associated Press8:49 a.m.: Looting Continues Unabated
Looting broke out in some New Orleans neighborhoods Wednesday, prompting authorities to send more than 70 additional officers and an armed personnel carrier into the city. Police said one officer was shot in the head by a looter Tuesday, but is expected to recover.The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune reported Wednesday that a Wal-Mart in the Lower Garden District was looted, and the entire gun collection was taken.Terry Ebbert, New Orleans Homeland security chief, said there are gangs of armed men moving around the city. Also, the governor's office reports looters tried to break into Children's Hospital.On New Orleans' Canal Street, dozens of looters ripped open the steel gates on clothing and jewelry stores and grabbed merchandise.In Biloxi, Miss., people picked through casino slot machines for coins and ransacked other businesses.In some cases, the looting was in full view of police and National Guardsmen. -- Associated Press8:37 a.m.: Superdome Evacuation Under Way
Bus convoys will begin moving at least 25,000 Hurricane Katrina refugees Wednesday from New Orleans to Houston.Most of the refugees are among the thousands who have been sweltering for days inside the Superdome in New Orleans. Harris County officials said they will be sheltered in Houston's 40-year-old Astrodome. The Houston domed stadium hasn't been used as a sports venue in years.Rusty Cornelius is administrative coordinator for the Harris County Office of Homeland Security in Houston. He told The Associated Press that initial planning has been under way since early Wednesday. -- Associated Press7:26 a.m.: Washington Rushes Aid To Victims
Washington is rushing aid to victims of Hurricane Katrina. The Navy is sending four ships carrying water and other supplies to the Gulf Coast region. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has sent medical specialists from across the country.FEMA says it has 500 trucks of ice, 500 trucks of water and 350 trucks of military meals-ready-to-eat scheduled for distribution in the next 10 days. Four Navy amphibious ships are to leave Norfolk, Virginia, over the next few days for deployment on the Gulf Coast.The Coast Guard is conducting search-and-rescue missions, assessing damage in the air and on the water and flying in supplies. -- WDSU.com Web Staff7:13 a.m.: More Than 40 Aircraft Used For Rescues
More than 40 Coast Guard aircraft from as far away as California and Massachusetts are being used to rescue hundreds of people left stranded by Hurricane Katrina on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and New Orleans. The Coast Guard says it received more than 350 requests for help Tuesday, many from urban areas in New Orleans, but also from along the Mississippi coast, where people were stranded on rooftops due to severe flooding.Additional Coast Guard small boats and cutters are poised to join the search and rescue efforts today off the coasts of Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. They will provide communications and fueling for aircraft and will patrol nearby waterways. -- Associated Press6:40 a.m.: Plugging Leaking Levees 'Engineering Nightmare'
Louisiana's governor says trying to plug the leaking levees in New Orleans is an "engineering nightmare." Kathleen Blanco said workers will try dumping concrete barriers into the gaps to halt the flow of water from Lake Pontchartrain that's filling up the city like a bathtub. Sandbags alone aren't working. She told NBC the levee repairs and rescuing people are the top priorities, and she said the refugee center at the Superdome must be evacuated. She's also addressed the looting problem, saying authorities intend to restore law and order. -- Associated Press6:10 a.m.: Oil Will Be Released From Petroleum Reserves
Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman says the Bush administration will release oil from petroleum reserves to help refiners affected by Hurricane Katrina. -- Associated Press5:43 a.m.: Katrina Biggest Effort In Red Cross History
It's being called the largest response to a natural disaster in the history of the American Red Cross. Spokesman Peter Teahean says the agency will prepare half 1 million meals a day and deliver them to people in Gulf states hammered by Hurricane Katrina. And it's bringing water, which Teahan says is "like gold" right now. He says the federal government expects that at least 10,000 storm victims will need government shelter for weeks, months, or even longer.Target Corporation says it's donating $1.5 million to the Red Cross and the company will aid in the distribution of water, ice, energy bars and bug spray in the disaster zone. -- Associated Press3:22 a.m.: Destruction Will Likely Lead To Katrina's Retirement
Hurricane Katrina is a storm many victims would like to forget, and while that won't happen any time soon, the name itself may be destined for the scrap heap.The widespread destruction and deaths caused by Katrina are likely to lead to retirement of that name. The final decision is up to a committee of the World Meteorological Organization. But the National Weather Service notes that names are usually dropped if a storm is so deadly or costly that future use of the name would be inappropriate.Sixty-two names have been retired so far, including Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne last year. If there is a "K" storm next season, it would be Kirk. -- Associated Press3:09 a.m.: Initial Hurricane Recovery May Take Months
It may take months before insurance adjusters can begin to get a handle on damages from Hurricane Katrina. One expert says he's basing that estimate on Hurricane Andrew, which until Katrina was ranked as the nation's costliest natural disaster.Mark Hagan, who chairs an insurance industry group in New York, says counting up hurricane damage may be the least of the Gulf Coast's worries, since construction contractors may be in high demand, but short supply. Hagan also says hurricane survivors will probably keep taking it on the chin, when insurance companies try to recoup some of their expenses by raising premiums.Risk assessment firms say the damage from Katrina could be up to $25 billion. -- Associated Press3:00 a.m.: Bush Returns To Washington Today
President George W. Bush is hurrying back to Washington Wednesday to coordinate the response to Hurricane Katrina. He's cutting short his Texas ranch vacation so he can return to the White House and chair a meeting of a special emergency committee. He will visit the storm-hit areas later in the week.The president says he wants to ensure federal, state and local officials do what they can to help Gulf Coast residents "get back on their feet." Plus he adds, it's clear there's "a lot of work to do."Meantime, the Department of Energy has now received formal requests for crude oil from the nation's strategic reserve to replace production lost to the storm. However, it's unclear when Bush might approve the request or how much oil would be loaned out. -- Associated Press1:05 a.m.: Houston's Reliant Park Offered To Saints For Home Opener
Reliant Park could be used for the New Orleans Saints' home opener if the hurricane-damaged Louisiana Superdome isn't available. Stadium president and general manager Shea Guinn offered the stadium as an option to the NFL, but as of late Tuesday night, had not heard back from the league.The Saints are supposed to play their home opener Sept. 18 -- the same date the Houston Texans play the Pittsburg Steelers at home. Guinn told a Houston television station it would be a lot of work and a challenge but the circumstances are extraordinary. -- Associated Press
State corrections officials said no one escaped from the Orleans Parish Prison, as had been rumored in recent days. Inmates were spotted on the Broad Street overpass on Tuesday, but they were waiting to be transfered. About 1,300 were taken to other prisons across Louisiana, and hundreds more were moved Wednesday. -- WDSU anchors Norman Robinson and Kriss Fairbairn5:57 p.m.: Bucktown Destroyed When Retaining Wall Collapses:
The historic Bucktown area was destroyed when a canal retaining wall collapsed. Water flooded the area, and wind demolished homes and businesses near Old Hammond Highway. -- WDSU anchors Norman Robinson and Kriss Fairbairn5:53 p.m.: Pentagon Sends Guard Reinforcements
Ten thousand more National Guard troops from across the country are heading into the Gulf Coast region, according to the Pentagon. That brings the number of troops dedicated to the recovery effort to more than 28,000. One commander said about one-third will be assigned to help stop looting, enforce curfews and assist local police. There are also thousands of Navy personnel and hundreds of workers with the Army Corps of Engineers responding to the disaster. -- Associated Press5 p.m.: Houston Hospitals Take Patients From New Orleans
Six children in serious condition and needing medical care arrived in Houston Wednesday on small planes from Louisiana.They're among the first patients being evacuated from New Orleans hospitals flooded by Hurricane Katrina. Memorial Hermann Hospital sent six ambulances, two helicopters and two small planes to the airport in Baton Rouge, La.From there, the helicopters flew to New Orleans, where they began picking up patients from Ochsner Hospital.Numerous hospitals in Texas, including those at the famed Texas Medical Center in Houston, are opening their doors to patients who needed care.The Texas Medical Association said more than 400 physicians have signed up to help hurricane victims in Louisiana and along the Gulf Coast, plus to help evacuees. -- Associated Press4:30 p.m.: Bush Calls On Americans To Help Victims
President George W. Bush called Hurricane Katrina one of the worst natural disasters in the nation's history. Hours after flying over the destruction caused by the hurricane, Bush urged Americans to contribute to the recovery effort and said the federal government is moving quickly to help the Gulf Coast region.Bush said he has appointed a cabinet-level task force to oversee the federal response to the disaster.He said the Department of Transportation is loading up 400 trucks with food, water and cots. -- Associated Press4:37 p.m.: President Warns Of Gas Supply Problems
President Bush is warning Americans about the nation's gasoline supply, saying everyone must understand that Hurricane Katrina has had a significant effect.Speaking at a White House news conference, the president stressed that Katrina has disrupted America's ability to both make and distribute gasoline. -- Associated Press4:10 p.m.: Members Of Congress Also Homeless
Members of Congress are among those who have lost their homes to Hurricane Katrina.The highest-profile lawmaker impacted by the storm is U.S. Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss. His antebellum home in Pascagoula was leveled by the storm surge.Lott's press secretary said Lott and his wife are driving to Pascagoula to search for anything that might be left.Mississippi Congressman Gene Taylor's home near Gulfport has been flattened.Three congressmen who live in or near New Orleans are not sure about their homes. William Jefferson represents an area on the eastern side of the city. He left with his family before Katrina hit and has not been able to get back.Bobby Jindal has been unable to check on the condition of his home in a New Orleans suburb.And all Congressman Charlie Melancon knows for certain is that his district office is under up to 18 feet of water. -- Associated Press3:09 p.m.: Bush Releases Oil From Reserve
The Bush administration today agreed to release oil from emergency stockpiles as part of the recovery from Hurricane Katrina.The administration also moved to temporarily ease some pollution standards on gasoline and diesel fuel to avert shortages. The decision to tap the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is an effort to keep production of gasoline and other fuels steady. Even so, gas prices leaped nationwide.The oil reserves consist of some 700 million barrels of crude oil stored in underground salt caverns in Texas and Louisiana. The reserves were last tapped in September-October of 2004 during disruptions caused by Hurricane Ivan. -- Associated Press2:45 p.m.: Video Shows Rescues, Desperate Calls For Help
The latest video from New Orleans shows apartment buildings with people crowded on balconies and roofs. Below, flood waters lap at the second floor. Two children standing on one roof held up a sign that read: "Help us."A Blackhawk helicopter crew rescued at least eight people from a roof where, in red spray paint, was written the words "Diabetic, Heart Transplant, Need transportation."Two-by-two, the chopper hoisted the people off the roof as the wash from its rotors blew shingles off another section of the building and caused small waves in the water below.Other shots show people standing at windows and on balconies, some waving white towels to attract the attention of possible rescuers. The flood waters cover everything as far as the eye can see. In the bright sunlight, there's a sheen caused by gasoline seeping from the underground tanks of a gas station. Three people who were standing in the bed of a flooded pickup truck later waded and swam through those waters, trying to reach safety. -- Associated Press2:39 p.m.: Airlines Cancel More Flights
Some airlines have canceled flights to the New Orleans and Gulfport, Miss., airports due to Hurricane Katrina. The New Orleans airport has reopened to allow humanitarian flights in and out during daylight hours, but officials are unsure when commercial service will resume.Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines has canceled all flights into and out of the New Orleans and Gulfport airports through at least Monday.Fort Worth-based American Airlines doesn't expect to resume scheduled flights to New Orleans until next Tuesday, at the earliest.Houston-based Continental Airlines and its Continental Express commuter canceled 40 flights Wednesday and the same for tomorrow in and out of New Orleans and Gulfport. -- Associated Press1:15 p.m.: Nagin: Hundreds, Maybe Thousands Dead
New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin says hundreds, maybe thousands, of people have died in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina slammed into the city on Monday. Nagin says it will at least two or three months before the city has electricity, restaurants won't be able to open and there won't be any commerce. At an impromptu news conference at the Hyatt Hotel, Nagin had no details about the deaths. -- Associated Press12:53 p.m.: Carnival Cruise Ships May Become Shelters
Miami-based Carnival Cruise Lines says it is considering a federal request that the company use some of its cruise ships as emergency shelters or help in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in some other way. The world's largest cruise line says doing so would be complicated, but that the company is actively taking a look at the proposal. Carnival operates 21 ships. -- Associated Press12:28 p.m.: Bush Gets Aerial Tour On Way Back To DC
President George W. Bush got an aerial view of Hurricane Katrina's destruction today as he flew back to Washington. Bush may visit the area devastated by the hurricane later in the week.The press of the federal response to the emergency in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama prompted the president to leave his Central Texas ranch two days early. He flew to Washington to coordinate the federal response to the disaster along the Gulf Coast.White House spokesman Scott McClellan said the government is declaring the hurricane to be an "incident of national significance."That triggers a recently developed national emergency plan for the first time and will allow better coordination among government agencies. -- Associated Press12:23 p.m.: Americans Contribute Millions To Katrina Fund
Americans are pouring in millions of dollars in donations for disaster relief in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The Red Cross said it has so far raised $21 million, a figure comparable to the response for tsunami victims following the devastation in Asia earlier this year. Nearly $15 million of that has come from individual donations through its Web site, with the rest representing corporate contributions.Spokeswoman Kara Bunte said the outpouring of support has been amazing. She said people are now starting to see the images on TV and want to help.Catholic Charities USA said it has received hundreds of calls in the last few days from volunteers asking how they can help. The group has raised $15,000 through its Web site, but will be stepping up collection efforts at churches in the coming days. -- Associated Press12:01 p.m.: NCAA Works With Schools To Reschedule Games
The NCAA said it will work with schools and conferences affected by Hurricane Katrina. The storm has forced several college football games to be postponed or canceled.Jacksonville's scheduled football game Thursday night at Southeastern Louisiana was postponed indefinitely. Among other postponed games were Saturday's LSU versus North Texas game and the Tulane-Southern Mississippi game, which was switched from Sunday to the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Saturday's scheduled Nicholls State-Utah and Southern-McNeese State games were canceled. -- Associated Press11:52 p.m.: Texas Public Schools To Enroll Refugee Children
Texas public schools will enroll children of Hurricane Katrina refugees sheltered within each district. Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco agreed Wednesday to move thousands of Katrina refugees from New Orleans to Houston.The Texas Education Agency has been directed to provide all needed support for districts having to absorb children from Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. TEA has said the refugee children can qualify as "homeless" and may enroll without proof of residence.Also, health officials say normal immunization requirements for attending school or child-care facilities in Texas will be temporarily waived for children displaced by the hurricane. -- Associated Press10:07 a.m.: IRS Extends Tax Deadlines
The Internal Revenue Service has extended tax deadlines for individuals and businesses affected by Hurricane Katrina. The extension gives taxpayers until Oct. 31 to file tax returns and submit tax payments. The extension includes the Sept. 15 deadline for estimated taxes. The Internal Revenue Service will not charge interest or late penalties that would otherwise apply. Taxpayers in affected areas should write "Hurricane Katrina" in red ink on forms filed with the IRS. -- Associated Press9:33 a.m.: Mayor: It Could Take Months To Get People Home
The mayor of New Orleans says it could be months before evacuees from Hurricane Katrina will be allowed back into the city.Two broken levees continue to spill water into the streets, swamping an estimated 80 percent of the below-sea-level city. Efforts to plug the leaks aren't going very well, and the governor has ordered the city abandoned for now.Speaking on ABC's "Good Morning America," Mayor Ray Nagin says it could be 12 to 16 weeks before anyone will be allowed back in. Besides the flooding, he says he's concerned about disease issues because of dead bodies in the water.Gov. Kathleen Blanco tells ABC that looting is also a severe problem but the focus right now is on survivors. It could take a month just to pump out the water. -- Associated Press9:14 a.m.: Volunteers Head to La. To Look For Lost Pets
A Madison County, Ill., prosecutor is leaving this week for the Gulf Coast to offer assistance to some lower profile hurricane victims -- family pets.Amy Maher is a coordinator for a national organization called Noah's Wish, which works to save as many pets as possible during such catastrophes. The group expects more than 100 Noah's Wish volunteers to arrive in Louisiana Thursday.The volunteers will provide temporary shelter for animals whose owners are unable to care for them in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. If they can't be reunited with their original owners, some of the rescued animals could also be brought back to Illinois and put up for adoption. -- Associated Press9:06 a.m.: Pope Praying For Victims
Pope Benedict said he is praying for victims of Hurricane Katrina and urged rescue workers to persevere in bringing comfort to survivors.In a telegram of condolences, Benedict said he was "deeply saddened" to learn of the catastrophe caused by the storm. The telegram, sent by the Vatican's secretary of state, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, said Benedict was praying for the victims and offered consolation to their families. -- Associated Press8:49 a.m.: Looting Continues Unabated
Looting broke out in some New Orleans neighborhoods Wednesday, prompting authorities to send more than 70 additional officers and an armed personnel carrier into the city. Police said one officer was shot in the head by a looter Tuesday, but is expected to recover.The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune reported Wednesday that a Wal-Mart in the Lower Garden District was looted, and the entire gun collection was taken.Terry Ebbert, New Orleans Homeland security chief, said there are gangs of armed men moving around the city. Also, the governor's office reports looters tried to break into Children's Hospital.On New Orleans' Canal Street, dozens of looters ripped open the steel gates on clothing and jewelry stores and grabbed merchandise.In Biloxi, Miss., people picked through casino slot machines for coins and ransacked other businesses.In some cases, the looting was in full view of police and National Guardsmen. -- Associated Press8:37 a.m.: Superdome Evacuation Under Way
Bus convoys will begin moving at least 25,000 Hurricane Katrina refugees Wednesday from New Orleans to Houston.Most of the refugees are among the thousands who have been sweltering for days inside the Superdome in New Orleans. Harris County officials said they will be sheltered in Houston's 40-year-old Astrodome. The Houston domed stadium hasn't been used as a sports venue in years.Rusty Cornelius is administrative coordinator for the Harris County Office of Homeland Security in Houston. He told The Associated Press that initial planning has been under way since early Wednesday. -- Associated Press7:26 a.m.: Washington Rushes Aid To Victims
Washington is rushing aid to victims of Hurricane Katrina. The Navy is sending four ships carrying water and other supplies to the Gulf Coast region. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has sent medical specialists from across the country.FEMA says it has 500 trucks of ice, 500 trucks of water and 350 trucks of military meals-ready-to-eat scheduled for distribution in the next 10 days. Four Navy amphibious ships are to leave Norfolk, Virginia, over the next few days for deployment on the Gulf Coast.The Coast Guard is conducting search-and-rescue missions, assessing damage in the air and on the water and flying in supplies. -- WDSU.com Web Staff7:13 a.m.: More Than 40 Aircraft Used For Rescues
More than 40 Coast Guard aircraft from as far away as California and Massachusetts are being used to rescue hundreds of people left stranded by Hurricane Katrina on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and New Orleans. The Coast Guard says it received more than 350 requests for help Tuesday, many from urban areas in New Orleans, but also from along the Mississippi coast, where people were stranded on rooftops due to severe flooding.Additional Coast Guard small boats and cutters are poised to join the search and rescue efforts today off the coasts of Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. They will provide communications and fueling for aircraft and will patrol nearby waterways. -- Associated Press6:40 a.m.: Plugging Leaking Levees 'Engineering Nightmare'
Louisiana's governor says trying to plug the leaking levees in New Orleans is an "engineering nightmare." Kathleen Blanco said workers will try dumping concrete barriers into the gaps to halt the flow of water from Lake Pontchartrain that's filling up the city like a bathtub. Sandbags alone aren't working. She told NBC the levee repairs and rescuing people are the top priorities, and she said the refugee center at the Superdome must be evacuated. She's also addressed the looting problem, saying authorities intend to restore law and order. -- Associated Press6:10 a.m.: Oil Will Be Released From Petroleum Reserves
Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman says the Bush administration will release oil from petroleum reserves to help refiners affected by Hurricane Katrina. -- Associated Press5:43 a.m.: Katrina Biggest Effort In Red Cross History
It's being called the largest response to a natural disaster in the history of the American Red Cross. Spokesman Peter Teahean says the agency will prepare half 1 million meals a day and deliver them to people in Gulf states hammered by Hurricane Katrina. And it's bringing water, which Teahan says is "like gold" right now. He says the federal government expects that at least 10,000 storm victims will need government shelter for weeks, months, or even longer.Target Corporation says it's donating $1.5 million to the Red Cross and the company will aid in the distribution of water, ice, energy bars and bug spray in the disaster zone. -- Associated Press3:22 a.m.: Destruction Will Likely Lead To Katrina's Retirement
Hurricane Katrina is a storm many victims would like to forget, and while that won't happen any time soon, the name itself may be destined for the scrap heap.The widespread destruction and deaths caused by Katrina are likely to lead to retirement of that name. The final decision is up to a committee of the World Meteorological Organization. But the National Weather Service notes that names are usually dropped if a storm is so deadly or costly that future use of the name would be inappropriate.Sixty-two names have been retired so far, including Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne last year. If there is a "K" storm next season, it would be Kirk. -- Associated Press3:09 a.m.: Initial Hurricane Recovery May Take Months
It may take months before insurance adjusters can begin to get a handle on damages from Hurricane Katrina. One expert says he's basing that estimate on Hurricane Andrew, which until Katrina was ranked as the nation's costliest natural disaster.Mark Hagan, who chairs an insurance industry group in New York, says counting up hurricane damage may be the least of the Gulf Coast's worries, since construction contractors may be in high demand, but short supply. Hagan also says hurricane survivors will probably keep taking it on the chin, when insurance companies try to recoup some of their expenses by raising premiums.Risk assessment firms say the damage from Katrina could be up to $25 billion. -- Associated Press3:00 a.m.: Bush Returns To Washington Today
President George W. Bush is hurrying back to Washington Wednesday to coordinate the response to Hurricane Katrina. He's cutting short his Texas ranch vacation so he can return to the White House and chair a meeting of a special emergency committee. He will visit the storm-hit areas later in the week.The president says he wants to ensure federal, state and local officials do what they can to help Gulf Coast residents "get back on their feet." Plus he adds, it's clear there's "a lot of work to do."Meantime, the Department of Energy has now received formal requests for crude oil from the nation's strategic reserve to replace production lost to the storm. However, it's unclear when Bush might approve the request or how much oil would be loaned out. -- Associated Press1:05 a.m.: Houston's Reliant Park Offered To Saints For Home Opener
Reliant Park could be used for the New Orleans Saints' home opener if the hurricane-damaged Louisiana Superdome isn't available. Stadium president and general manager Shea Guinn offered the stadium as an option to the NFL, but as of late Tuesday night, had not heard back from the league.The Saints are supposed to play their home opener Sept. 18 -- the same date the Houston Texans play the Pittsburg Steelers at home. Guinn told a Houston television station it would be a lot of work and a challenge but the circumstances are extraordinary. -- Associated Press
Previous Stories:
- August 31, 2005: Katrina Blog: At A Glance
- August 30, 2005: Katrina Blog: Officials Urge Residents To Stay Away
Copyright 2005 by WDSU.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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