I know I've mentioned that I witnessed Hurricane Andrew (and Hurricane Camille, albeit from Jackson, Miss.), but I have to say that Hurricane Katrina scares the hell out of me. Usually, the forecasters overblow the story and all turns out much better than expected. However, as Katrina continues to stay on a collision course for New Orleans, I fear the worst.

Hurricane Andrew was unbelievably damaging to the areas hit hardest, but largest population centers (Miami/Ft. Lauderdale) were spared the worst (although the southern suburbs of Miami got whacked). And although Camille wiped out Gulfport and Biloxi, again the largest areas (New Orleans and Mobile, Ala.) were left somewhat unscathed.

Katrina, on the other hand, is moving directly over New Orleans, a city with around 500,000 people (1.3 million if you count the metropolitan area). Plus, the majority of the city sits 4 feet below sea level. With the storm surge coming in, it now looks unlikely that the city's levee's will hold. If that happens, the town could be under 10-20 feet under water (if not more) by the time the storm passes.

Then where does the water go? The National Weather Service estimates the receding waters may take up to 10 months to clear. TEN MONTHS!!!

I still remember the emotional damage done to South Floridians in the wake of Andrew. Then, most people were able to rebuild their homes and lives within a few months or so. The possibility that there could be over a million homeless for up to G-d knows how long is mind blowing. While the devastation in Sri Lanka was far more deadly, the survivors of this storm need to be treated with the same outpouring of charity and care as the tsunami.

Shame on the bloggers who are already blaming President Bush for Katrina (I will not post their names here, but if you want to find out more click here). No matter what the situation is, Bush is damned if he does and damned if he don't. In one blog, he's criticized for not being in the White House. On another, he's criticized for not being closer to the scene (I guess to some "intellectuals" Texas is closer to Washington than Louisiana).

Point being, he hasn't gone fishing and to assume the President's vacation is anything like most of our vacations (sleeping in, going to Disney, not caring about the office), then you are clearly incapable of any rational conversation or thought.

I don't think I'm going to be able to sleep tonight, knowing the anxiety and fear Louisianans are feeling. I pray to G-d that I'm wrong about Katrina and nothing bad will happen.