Steve Lyons

[Cookiely]

I don't understand him at all. How can you in all good conscience tell people they will only be without electricity for one to two weeks. Shouldn't you tell it like it is. Why even bring it up at all. I don't believe in terrifying people but don't act like its going to be the status quo in a couple of weeks either.

[MomH]

I truly believe they are trying not to panic evacuees at this point with what possibly might happen afterward. The Mayor of NO said awhile back that it might take a week or two to pump out the city. Then later in the same interview he said the pumps could only lower the water by an inch or two a day. Even if there is only 6 feet of water in NO after Katrina gets through, that adds up to 36 days ---after they are able to get the pumps going.

[Cookiely]

I truly believe they are trying not to panic evacuees at this point with what possibly might happen afterward. The Mayor of NO said awhile back that it might take a week or two to pump out the city. Then later in the same interview he said the pumps could only lower the water by an inch or two a day. Even if there is only 6 feet of water in NO after Katrina gets through, that adds up to 36 days ---after they are able to get the pumps going.

MomH, I saw a program that stated the pumps would be underwater and they would take months to build new pumps. They would be rescuing any survivors and pulling the bodies out in the interim. Each building would have to be examined for structual damage since they all would be underwater. I also heard that they had thought about bombing the levees to get rid of the water, but I have no idea if this is just a rumor or not. I have extended family in Slidell and just pray they got to safety.

[MomH]

If they are close enough family -- you might want to start thinking about where and how you could house them for a long while. There are no jobs in businesses that are under water.