No is in very bad shape

[f5]

even a CAT 1 or 2 hurricane would reflood the city beacuse where there are levee breeches there are sandbags and those sandbags are very easy to breach it won't take a CAT 4 or 5 this time to put the city back under.I think the mayor should just hold off on his plans to return residents to the city.Its already evacuated which is very good news.

[beachbum_al]

I think I have to agree. Until the leeves are fixed I don't think residents should be allow in right now. I know they want to get back in and see what they have left but for their own safety I think I would stay out for now.

[AL Chili Pepper]

I'm not saying it'll happen, but if another storm did strike anywhere near LA/MS/AL anytime soon, the flying debris would be a real pain. There's mountains of boards, plywood, limbs, cut-up trees that would create a real nightmare.

[f5]

in that case the saffir simpson scale the part that measures damage wouldn't apply because there is already CAT 5 damage as it is

[canegrl04]

I can't believe there are calls to repopulate NO at this time. The risks are too great. What would they do if Rita paid them a visit?

[THead]

I can't believe there are calls to repopulate NO at this time. The risks are too great. What would they do if Rita paid them a visit?

Agreed, they really need to re-visit that decision, at least until there's not a storm in the gulf!!

[inotherwords]

There are so few people left in NO and there would be enough notice ahead of time that everybody who wanted to could get out.

Let's not be melodramatic.

[timNms]

There are so few people left in NO and there would be enough notice ahead of time that everybody who wanted to could get out.

Let's not be melodramatic.

Not being sarcastic here, but if things go as they did pre Katrina, there wouldn't be an order to evacuate until after it was too late
Not to mention the fact that communication systems are more than likely still down or not working at full capacity yet.

[Tempest]

And let's not forget that there are far fewer roads left to evacuate with due to all the bridges out.

[nholley]

Granted there are dangers, but as long as people are fully informed of those dangers shouldn't they be allowed to decide to return if they so desire?

[O Town]

Not to mention the fact that communication systems are more than likely still down or not working at full capacity yet.

Yea that would be scary, how do you suppose they would inform the folks without communications back in order. Lets just hope that isn't going to happen. The Mayor deffinatley needs to re-think that order.

[inotherwords]

If you think about it, NO is probably far better prepared for an evacuation right now than before the storm. First off, the place is teeming with military. Second, they know where the population centers are where people remained. Third, many people who remained and were sorry for doing so would be willing to leave this time without dispute. Third, there's no way they'd have the bureaucratic barriers in place this time that occurred last time. There are generals on the ground. And fourth, the president would be lynched if this went wrong and you can be darn sure he doesn't want another Katrina on his hands.

Communication would be an issue but the military there has communications, and they'd be the ones to conduct the evacuation.

They will have several days notice, at least 2 or 3, if this is coming at them.

I think it would be a mistake to assume that the military couldn't handle this evacuation or to judge what might happen this time on what happened before.

It would be a nightmare for the city, though. No arguing about that.

[alicia-w]

even a CAT 1 or 2 hurricane would reflood the city beacuse where there are levee breeches there are sandbags and those sandbags are very easy to breach it won't take a CAT 4 or 5 this time to put the city back under.I think the mayor should just hold off on his plans to return residents to the city.Its already evacuated which is very good news.

The news last night said that even a series of heavy thunderstorms could cause a levee breech.

[timNms]

If you think about it, NO is probably far better prepared for an evacuation right now than before the storm. First off, the place is teeming with military. Second, they know where the population centers are where people remained. Third, many people who remained and were sorry for doing so would be willing to leave this time without dispute. Third, there's no way they'd have the bureaucratic barriers in place this time that occurred last time. There are generals on the ground. And fourth, the president would be lynched if this went wrong and you can be darn sure he doesn't want another Katrina on his hands.

Communication would be an issue but the military there has communications, and they'd be the ones to conduct the evacuation.

They will have several days notice, at least 2 or 3, if this is coming at them.

I think it would be a mistake to assume that the military couldn't handle this evacuation or to judge what might happen this time on what happened before.

It would be a nightmare for the city, though. No arguing about that.

I saw a report on Fox or either MSNBC this morning that there were major communication problems in New Orleans. However, I did not think about the military presence there. You are right. I believe the military would be able to handle an evacuation of that area. Still would be a scary situation should Rita strike near that area!

[TSmith274]

Well, I returned home this morning to Algiers, which is within the city limits of New Orleans on the other side of the river. I've got everything but cable. I feel very fortunate. Limbs down everywhere, a few shingles gone, but that's it. We in Algiers are on a separate water system. Our supply was never compromised, and our water is drinkable. The constant droan of helicopters can still be heard, but I'm glad to be home.

I commend out mayor for taking bold action and letting us back in. There is no reason to keep people away from Algiers and the westbank. On the downtown side, uptown, and the French Quarter... I can see people's concerns. They're still under a boil order, and many of the still flooded areas are accessable by car from that side... so that area should probably stay empty.

It's good to be home. Thanks to all of you for your prayers and concern. And god bless this country for coming through for us.