Adam Nossiter (Salon): After the deluge

[Jack Rabbit]

From Salon.com (Subscription or Day Pass Required)
Dated Thursday September 1

After the deluge
With possibly thousands dead and its beloved streets underwater, New Orleans is overwhelmed by one of America's worst natural disasters.
By Adam Nossiter

With thousands feared drowned in what could be America's deadliest natural disaster in a century, New Orleans' leaders all but surrendered the streets to floodwaters and lawlessness Wednesday and began turning out the lights on the ruined city -- perhaps for months.

"We know there is a significant number of dead bodies in the water," and other people dead in attics, Mayor Ray Nagin said in calling for an all-out evacuation of the city's remaining residents. Asked how many died, he said: "Minimum, hundreds. Most likely, thousands."

The frightening estimate came as desperation deepened in the city, with gunfire crackling sporadically and looters by the hundreds roaming the streets and ransacking tiny shops and big-box stores alike with seeming impunity.

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An interesting title, if one is familiar with French history.