New Orleans Floods: Survivors Say ‘Lucky To Be Alive’

Katrina made landfall as a Category 5 storm, the highest rating on the Saffir-Simpson scale used by the US National Hurricane Center in the yaer 2009. It had the magnitude and wind field of a monster storm. Long before it reached land, it generated a massive wind set up at sea level. The water level surged up to 7 meters near the east side of New Orleans and 9 meters along the Mississippi shore. The storm surge was the biggest ever recorded in North America. Strong gusts and water wreaked havoc on a 200-kilometer length of shoreline. The floods, rather than the wind, did the most damage in New Orleans.

The city, which is practically encircled by water, lacked enough flood protection to deal with the high surge level. The system collapsed, and more than 50 dykes and flood barriers east of New Orleans and along the various canals leading into the city were burst. The "bathtub" in which New Orleans is located was filled with water and stayed inundated for more than a month.

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Flood survivors share similar stories of their survival. Ron Humble was rescued from his apartment building by a helicopter. 'We were on the second and third floors, and as the water continued to rise, we attempted to escape." They are weary and dissatisfied despite their survival. Ron Humble was rescued from his apartment building by a helicopter. 'We were on the second and third floors, and as the water continued to rise, we attempted to escape.'They are weary and dissatisfied despite their survival.

Will Mitchell and his family of seven managed to flee. " It was actually rather difficult". Mr. Mitchell described the situation as very packed and disorganized."I would assume that a community that experiences storms on a regular basis would have a contingency plan in place, or at the very least a set of regulations that must be followed.", he added.

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Gary Geogaggan, a bartender, claims he's has had it with New Orleans and wants to move out. "My game plan is to get out of here as soon as possible and move somewhere safer." And I'm not a big fan of this place," he said.

Naomi Hoffman is looking forward to leaving the city as well. "I have no idea where they are going to take us, but it will be better than where we came from." It was terrible, and it wasn't good for humans."

Lt. Allen Carpenter, the Louisiana State Police officer in command here, says they are getting individuals out as fast as possible. " I was unable to provide you with a telephone number. More are on their way. We'll keep bringing buses in until everyone has left."He claims that there aren't enough shelters to accommodate the number of individuals that need to be evacuated.

(This article is a rehash from Voice Of America)