Katrina Aftermath

Hurricane Katrina took the usual weather small-talk to a whole new level this week. Indeed, the images and stories on the news, online, and everywhere else you looked painted a picture of utter devastation and helplessness. Your immediate reaction is to shake your head at the unfathomable strength of mother nature and wonder--what are these people going to do?

I genuinely feel for the people who have lost their homes and loved ones in the tragedy. I can't imagine what it will be like to try and rebuild the big cities that are now under 20 feet of water, much less how the people who have lost their homes, jobs, and possessions will begin to rebuild their lives.

I don't mean to undermine the seriousness and significance of what happened as a result of this Hurricane, nor to treat the massive loss of life in the Gulf Coast region lightly, but... I've been surprised (or maybe not so surprised) at various reactions to this natural disaster. I understand that the economic consequences of this disaster will likely rival or surpass that of the Asian Tsunami, which is just remarkable. Despite the widespread destruction and loss of life from the Tsunami, not to mention its absolute unpredictability, it seems people here have been particularly moved, emotionally, by the interviews, video reels, and other media displays about the aftermath of the hurricane. It might just be that it's 'closer to home,' (or actually home, depending on how you look at things) or perhaps another case of perceived 'invincibility,' as some people have implied in interviews (I never imagined that it could happen here).

I guess that year after year, there are always Hurricane threats and you see people board up their homes, pack their bags and go, but it usually ends up as a "could have been much worse" story. Katrina showed us the worst, but the worst is likely yet-to-come for many. Now that Martial Law has been declared in New Orleans, let's just hope that the folks down there can focus on the important things, like getting shelter, food, and water to the people who need it.

Finally, here are some astounding satellite images of what New Orleans looked like before and after the Hurricane.


Current Music: Like Spinning Plates, by Radiohead