Two People Die in Superdome

[canegrl04]

Reported by Fox news. If they don't get them all out soon,more will

[inotherwords]

Let's not overreact. There were lots of elderly/special needs people there.

From what the Times/Picayune says, the people there were able to sleep on the outdoor concourses and enjoy some fresh air. They are getting two military meals a day. The downside is that the bathrooms are disgusting.

Water is 3 feet deep around the dome.

I would think that these people would be at an advantage for rescue given that they're all in one place and we know where they are, as opposed to people trapped in individual homes, etc.

[MKT2005]

I dont see how they will get them out now, seeing how the area around the dome has flooded.

[inotherwords]

Airboats, helicopters. They'll get them out. It will take a while but they will.

[canegrl04]

Its not over reacting. Martial Law has been declared in NO.That means it is an uninhabital place and dangerous to stay.The Superdome is a growing health risk

[cjrciadt]

Its not over reacting. Martial Law has been declared in NO.That means it is an uninhabital place and dangerous to stay.The Superdome is a growing health risk

They even have working bathrooms? The bacteria, polluted water, leaking oil from cars outside the list of dangers can go on and on.

[wlfpack81]

Let's not overreact. There were lots of elderly/special needs people there.

From what the Times/Picayune says, the people there were able to sleep on the outdoor concourses and enjoy some fresh air. They are getting two military meals a day. The downside is that the bathrooms are disgusting.

First off not everyone was elderly/special needs. Most were basically poor peole who couldn't get out of town and those who could but foolishly waited. Either way the Dome wasn't mostly full of those who were already sick. And I'm not sure where the Times/Picayune is getting there info b/c from everything I've heard and seen on tv (CNN, MSNBC, FNC) from reporters are conditions in the Dome are horrible. No power means no A/C, stagnant air, very hot and humid. Lack of bathroom facilities means continuing increase for disease. Add in the stress of the sitution which further weakens the immune system then you have a nasty situation brewing. I heard on the news this morning that apparently a health worker/emergency worker in the Dome recommended that choppers get in there now to evac people (was reported on FNC this morning). This is not a rosy situation at the dome at all.

[krysof]

what is the current actual death toll?

[inotherwords]

It's overreacting to assume that the two deaths there have any projectible significance at this point. It's likely some sick or elderly people because this was a special needs shelter of last resort. This is how rumors start, so I suggest we calm down until we know what happened.

As far as there being people there who are not sick or elderly, that's true, but I read an interview with an 82 year old woman who was there, and I would doubt that she was the only older person on site. It's very stressful so I would not be surprised to see some heart attacks and other stress-related deaths in the older folks. Sad, but not unexpected.

Yes, we know it's serious, and yes, we know they need to evacuate these people. The military and police are there, they know the people are there, and we just have to trust that they'll do the right thing.

Everyone is concerned and is doing the best they can.

[crazycajuncane]

what is the current actual death toll?

I don't think we even want to know that answer.

[inotherwords]

Here's part of an article about the special needs folks being transferred out of the dome. According to this article, there are about 500 special needs cases there. I'll see if I can find the link to the other article about the people getting fresh air and being allowed to sleep on the outer concourses.

Special needs residents to be transferred to Baton Rouge
8:40 a.m.
August 30
By Jan Moller
Baton Rouge Bureau

About 500 "special needs" residents being sheltered at the Superdome will be transferred Tuesday to the Louisiana State University Field House, a spokesman for the state Office of Emergency Preparedness said.

"Those people are going to be evacuated today by whatever means necessary," said OEP spokesman Mark Smith. Once in Baton Rouge, they will be assessed by state medical teams.

Meanwhile, about 350 search-and-rescue boats set off at daybreak across flooded areas of Southeast Louisiana to look for people stranded in their homes on rooftops or in attics. Dwight Landreneau, secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, said at 8:15 a.m. that 700 people had been brought to safety.

"We are picking up as many people as the boats can hold, and we have others hanging on the sides," Landreneau said.

Of the flotilla, 35 of the boats came from Texas, and another 60 are on the way.

More than 30 of the boats are being sent to hard-hit St. Tammany Parish, where state officials are still having trouble establishing communication links.

"St. Tammany Parish is a black hole to us right now," Smith said.

[inotherwords]

From WWL just a few minutes ago:

10:33 A.M. People trapped near Jefferson Parish and Orleans are being asked to get a boat and get to the Sam's Club parking lot on Earhart and Airline to meet the National Guard who will take you to the Superdome.

If they're still TAKING people there, I'd assume they find it to be a good centralized place to collect folks before getting them out.

[ncbird]

My concern with the cry to get them out now is ***where do they get them out to?***

There are thousands and thousands without homes right now. Yes we must help them but getting places set up for this huge number of people takes a little time. I don't think I am exagerating when I say this is the day after one of the greatest natural disasters in our counties history. Almost the entire Golf Coast is a mess or in ruins. They can't just take them and dump these now homeless people on the roadway. I am sure when they have a place to take them too that will provide shelter and safety for them they will get them out. Please all be patient.....

and remember them in your prayers and thoughts.

[T'Bonz]

One of the SuperDome deaths was a suicide, so says the news. The man jumped from the second level.

[Courtnay Mccullers]

One of the SuperDome deaths was a suicide, so says the news. The man jumped from the second level.

that was the 3rd death. the other 2 happened yesterday.