the sign is advertising Sunpass – an RFID toll transponder for the FL turnpike (toll road). This is on I95 (the free road). The toll road has less trafic typically so they are calling it “The less stressway”.
Uprooted trees. the Ficus has a poor root system and a large canopy – so they are the first to go.
An ultralite aircraft in the water – note sailboat wedged under dock in background.
They pulled a body out of one of these sailboats – man had severe head injuries while riding out the storm in sailboat.
The sign says speeding fines doubled when workers present. This is one lane of I95 blocked in downtown Miami
Things look OK at first but note mast in foreground coming out of water just in front of dock.
Contributed by Chet Heath, pics by Valerie Kolbert
Click here to return to Latest from Dvorak Uncensored
Seven people died in what was billed as a minimal hurricane – It was a last minute surprise with only 2 days notice and a complacent population. Too quickly they forget Andrew where 35 people died – most of whom were initially inside their homes. No one would have been driving around, or riding it out in a sailboat for that one.
Seriously pray (or hope if you don’t pray) that the same does not occur with “Katrina: The Sequel” in the Big Easy on Monday.
I live on the Carolina coast, so I know these things. I fear for the Gulf, especially the Big Easy if this thing comes close. For all you in it’s path take care and stay safe.
Mike, I don’t think that’s entirely fair to call it a complacent population. And it’s kind of brutal to compare it to Andrew, don’t you think? The thing wasn’t even hurricane status until literally a couple hours before landfall. When you’ve lived through Cat 4 and arguably, Cat 5 hurricanes, and the powers-that-be are urging people to be calm and stock up on canned goods and batteries, rather than to evacuate, I don’t think you can chalk those deaths up to some kind of generalized laissez-faire attitude. And while it might not be the cleverest thing to go out in the remnants of a storm so soon after it’s passed, everything is relative. If you’ve got a scale of one to five, anything with a score of ONE just doesn’t seem that threatening. And without even knowing the facts of their activity, or why they were outdoors, it’s pretty uncouth to call people stupid when their bodies aren’t even cold yet, as our Lt. Gov. did. I’d like to smack the wench. It’s not like people were out wandering the streets drinking beer and flying kites.
That said, the folks in the panhandle aren’t messing around. Katrina is going to find a lot of empty when she gets up there.
I have to agree with Mike! I don’t know how you can call a state’s population “complacent” when they went through 4 hurricanes last year and are now being hit by them again.
I gotta say that if I lived there, I would really be thinking about getting my butt out of there. Sheesh!
If you want to understand what might (or is about to happen) to New Orleans, the Times-Picayune published an in-depth analysis of the City’s defenses:
http://www.nola.com/hurricane/?/washingaway/
Believe it or not, these “small” hurricanes can create damage a lot like tornados. You can have a few areas of major destruction surrounded by areas that look relatively unscathed. You can never really determine what will get destroyed since a lot of the major damage (of tropical storms & small hurricanes) is caused by sudden high velocity wind gusts that happen to just strike the right way at the most vulnerable part of an object. You can never know so the wise man prepares for the worst. (Of course, the poor animals & trees don’t have that luxury)
On the other hand, with big hurricanes every object is vulnerable. Katrina is likely to destroy nearly everything in it’s vicinity whether it is “protected” or not. I experienced Andrew and my only advice to the Gulf is simply leave especially since a large part of the area is below sea level. Just reserve a Motel 6 room in Texas and wait because if you stay and survive it only gets worse as the entire infrastructure of “normal” life just ceases to exist.
I have to agree..Stupid! Sorry, but if they had heeded warnings, they would STILL BE HERE!! What else can yo say?
JR
Just a comment on the “size” and “severity”. I live in the Houston area and several years ago we had a lovely little Tropical Depression named Allison that literaly sat on us for a week and a half. Never made hurricane status but it flooded out the entire downtown area of Houston because it was half in, half out of the Gulf – scooping up tons of water. Billion dollar hospitals and research facilities, not to mention banks, commercial and retail business found their entire first floors, and some, their second floors flooded. I work out near Intercontinental Airport and the major thoroughfare to the airport was so flooded that people were boating and riding jet skis down the road.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. We’ve managed to avoid a major hurricane since 1983 (Alicia), but we take no consolation in the loss that others are experiencing.
Does anyone know anything about the Boyington Nursing home on Broad AVenue in Gulfport?
I am not sure where Mike lives… but I live in Pensacola, FL. We were told to sit tight during Hurricane Ivan and it destroyed our homes and our way of life. Then we were told to flee for our lives during Hurricane Dennis and no one recieved more that a small amount of debris. You cannot fault the citizens ofthe Gulf Coast for their decisions. Most of us have experienced enough hurricanes to know when to get out and when to stay, Plus, if a storm does not mature until less than 48 hours before it makes landfall there really isn’t a lot that we can do. You must remember that we depend on accurate reports and forecasts, but the forecasts were wrong until it was too late. Don’t blame people who have too little information, or too little means, to evacuate. Next time there is a storm of this magnitude, why don’t you go to a Gulf Coast city and thentry to evacuate and see how successful your endeavor is. I think you would have a different opinion if it were based on better experience.
I was in Ft. Lauderdale when hurricane Andrew hit. Our home was in an evacuation zone with an estimated 30-35′ storm surge. We took that seriously and got out. You don’t have to tell me twice. We were all thanking God at the time that it didn’t directly hit the Broward/Dade line or there would have been a more extensive loss of life. Once we got back and saw were it did hit, our hearts melted for the people of Homestead and surrounding areas.
Now I’m seeing the devastation Katrina has left and it’s all too familiar a scene. I just hope and pray they pump the water out quickly because as one lady said the aftermath is the most dangerous time. I hope that in the future people will take the warnings more seriously. i am just sorry that some people only learn things the “hard way.” May God watch over all the families effected by this catastrophe.
Kathy
My heartfelt sympathy goes to the people of South Florida and especially those in Louisiana and Mississippi. I lived in Ft Lauderdale during Hurricane Andrew and now I live in VA and we really suffered 2 years ago with Hurricane Isabel and she was only Cat 1-2. I cannot imagine the loss that is being experienced in the Gulf Coast states. I urge everyone to pray and assist with the recovery for this area!!!!!!!!
I’m in Arizona! I complained about the heat when Phoenix hit 122 degrees. I hate that you can dust your house and five minutes later there’s dust on everything. I hate getting into a vehicle in the summer time and burning your hands on the steering wheel, burning the back of your legs on the upholstery, burning your arm on the metal door,. I hate that I have to take an ice chest when I go to the grocery store because ice cream doesn’t have a chance of getting home in a solid form if you don’t. I even complain when we get hit with a haboob because it turns you pool into a mud puddle and you patio into fine grit sandpaper. But we don’t have to worry about hurricanes and being washed away by tons of water. Thank you Arizona!
I’m still hoping to hear from my friends near Houma, LA. It’s almost 4:00 p.m. on Aug. 30th and no one has heard from them. Denita and Pam, we’re really worried. Call the office and let us know you’re o.k. We love you
God bless everyone involved and that he will be with you and watch over you.. inthe repairs of the damage of this hurricane.
Hi from, Cape Town, South Africa!
We are all thinking and praying for those affected by Hurricane Katrina.
We do not have to ever worry about hurricanes in Cape Town, our weather is pretty mild. Rainy & Cold in Winter, and Windy & Hot in Summer, but never hurricanes or anything life threatening.
We are only too grateful to live in this beautiful city, and feel devasted for all of you in the Gulf that has to deal with the aftermath of this dreadful hurricane.
Take care of yourselves, your children, your neighbours, friends and family!!!
Cheers
Liezell
This is heartbreaking and our prayers go out to everyone that was affected by hurricane Katrina. We can not stop thinking about you!
May God Be With You
Heidi
Trinity, FL
Such a terrible tragedy for our country. Equal to or worse than the Tsunami last December. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected.
After the tsunami last year, nation after nation lined up to supply food and aid for those in need. Where are these same great humanitarians now? As of this posting, no known offer of aid, whether monetary or through rescue teams, has been offered. How humbling it is to know that we are the first to help others regardless, but we know that we are the only ones to help ourselves when tragedy strikes here at home.
hello, im from brazil and right now we are being harmed by a cyclon, but we are impressed of katrina´s destruction power.
good luck for all
This whole situation is devastating! May GOD be will all of you! You are in my prayers. Please stop the looding and be safe…Pray!
Our hearts and prayers go out to all that are effected by this terrible catastrophe. My sister in law and friends live in Mobile Alabama and thank God that they are ok. I can’t even imagine what others must ne going through. Unfortunately I don’t have the finances to help in that manner to the relief of all the peoples involved but I do have something more powerful than that and that is God. WIth prayer His people will overcome. May God truely bring a miracle in His own way to each and everyone involved. It is such a sad situation for both the humans and all the animals involved that never had a chance. It’s too bad that it takes something of this magnitude to bring people together and to God. My God Bless.
We look to our neighbors in the devastated states and sigh a breath of relief that we don’t live there. But I look at the people still there, the people fleeing the life they once knew, and the silent dead and pray that our attitudes won’t be, “I’m glad I don’t live there.” but rather, “Our neighbors are in trouble and we must meet their needs.”
I have been approached several times by people questioning me about my God’s intentions during this diaster. Was it in retaliation for US support of Israel’s loss of biblical lands, where is this loving God while lives were being lost or devastated, and what did the people living there do to deserve this? God calls to us who name him our father to stand with our brothers and sisters in these areas, to bring peace and hope to an area devasted. Who’s to blame, I say to those who question, doesn’t matter. What matters is that we, as a nation and christians, come together in these times and link hands and hearts with the cry, “What happens to my brothers and sisters, happens also to me.”
I pray for those lost, that they may have found the salvation Christ offers, for those who are separated that they may be reunited, and for everyone in the states of Lousiana and Mississippi that the unaffected American states will help them find hope, peace, and safety once more.
I live in the Florida panhandle, and I know first hand the devastation caused by any hurricane, let alone one the magnitude of Katrina. I could never imagine the despair and uncertainty all those directly affected are currently experiencing. My heart goes to them and all of their families. My company is taking a collection for the Red Cross, to be matched by the owner, they were such a help for us after Ivan last year, and Dennis this year, where many people lost their homes and sense of security. Fortunately the only effect the storms had on me was loss of electricity and a few days of work. An event like Katrina will forever change the lives of thousands, it really should make more people appreciate what they have, and cherish every moment of every day. My thoughts and prayers are with them.
Questionable,
I disagree, some of us are helping already and more will surely follow.http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/08/31/Canadian_relief_Katrina20050831.html
J
“Heartbeaking” is the only way to describe the scenes we see on TV. I am so sorry and wish there was more I could do to help. I am praying without ceasing and trying to put some feet to my prayer with donations of blood and cash. I think I speak for a lot of people when I say we just feel helpless watching all the lost and broken souls. It is a huge reminder AGAIN of what is really important. Homes and even cities can be replaced but lost family and friends are gone forever. I pray for God to send strength to the burdened and also to the rescuers. You people who are working down there and risking your lives and health are AMAZING individuals and roll models to my children! THANK YOU! May God give you peace.
i’m praying for u. I believe the world will be shaken before it is taken back by its Creator. The important thing is for us (mankind) to get our acts together before it is too late.
Hello,
I am so ticked by the comments that the people in the path of Hurricane Katrina were warned to evacuate and if they didn’t they have no one to blame but themselves. Many people had no means to evacuate. Despite the country and time that we are living in, many people do not have transportation. Many people have very low income. So many are doing the best that they can to make it from one pay check to the next. Sure, there’s always the few who present themselves in a way as to shed bad light on those who are really trying. But they are a minority in comparison. Had the threat of something so devastating been predicted for a more well area, such as Beverly Hills, the calvary would have been there to make sure no one was left behind. And in the case that some did stay behind for whatever reason, there’s no way they would have still been there, stranded, hungry, thirsty, dirty, sick, robbed, and raped FIVE days later. It is such crap!!! People are saying that “it’s hard to get to themm because of the conditions”. But yet, soldiers can get there. Camera crews can get there. A way in is a way out, dammit. And yet our “Beloved” “Honorable” “Noble” and “Trustworthy” president is resting on his laurels. How can he order troops into another country to invade it, and not send troops into those southern areas to rescue? I am very very disturbed by it all.
This is a great tragedy on so many levels. To those that are suffering I am truly sorry. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Over the past several years we have witnessed many devastating natural and man made disasters. Hurricanes, earthquakes, eruptions tsunamis flooding, droughts, disease, famine, terrorist bombings, genocide, murder, slavery, war and too many more to mention. I hope that we all take this opportunity to recognize our own personal responsibility in this. Some would say that God is punishing us for our selfishness, and others would say that we wreaking havoc on our environment and therefore causing these tragedies. I’m not sure which it is but either way, I know we as humans have an affect on both. Please let us all try to learn from this experience and change our ways. A good place to start is by following the Golden Rule – Treat Others as You Would Want to Be Treated. That means everything! Be kind to the people around you and the world we live in. I know it won’t stop these things from happening completely, but perhaps it might not be so overwhelming and tragic. This goes for you too New Orleanians – Please don’t let this be your excuse for not being the human you are meant to be. And to the rest of us, if this cant be an excuse for them – then we have no excuses either! May your God be with each and every one of you on this journey to a better place. – Thank you.
i just wanted to say that to honstly sit up here in pittsburgh and watch people in louisiana that are dead or homeless is sad and very depressing. i can understand how people feel, i lost my grandmother and brother in that hurricane . if in was old enough i would try my best to give what i got, but since i can’t just know i care. may god be with you .
god bless
My-My
I survived Hurricane Andrew. I was living in Homestead at the time and continue to reside there. I cannot imagine how Miami would have surivived if Andrew had hit Miami Beach and the more populated areas. It looked like a bomb had exploded the day Andrew hit. I cannot imagine what it must be like for all of those suffering from this storm I pray for my family in New Orleans and in Pascagoula, MS. May God bless all of the victims.