Katrina :: Storm Effects
Return To NewOrleans/HurricaneKatrina Homepage
Effects of the Storm :: Hurricane Katrina :: Damage To Buildings and Roads
On August 29, 7:40 a.m. CDT, it was reported that most of the windows on the north side of the Hyatt Regency New Orleans had been blown out, and many other high rise buildings had extensive window damage. The Hyatt was the most severely damaged hotel in the city, with beds reported to be flying out of the windows. Insulation tubes were exposed as the hotel's glass exterior was completely sheared off.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effect_of_Hurricane_Katrina_on_New_Orleans
Continue below...
Damage To Buildings and Roads
On August 29, 7:40 a.m. CDT, it was reported that most of the windows on the north side of the Hyatt Regency New Orleans had been blown out, and many other high rise buildings had extensive window damage. The Hyatt was the most severely damaged hotel in the city, with beds reported to be flying out of the windows. Insulation tubes were exposed as the hotel's glass exterior was completely sheared off.
A number of brick façades collapsed into the street. At least three fires were reported in the New Orleans area, destroying several buildings. By September 2, fires had become a more widespread problem with some reports of arson.
The St. Bernard Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness (OEP) said that on August 29 that the Parish's two shelters at Chalmette High and St. Bernard High were suffering much damage with flooding. He said Chalmette High shelter was losing its roof, and St. Bernard High had many broken windows. There were estimates of 300-plus evacuees at the two sites. "We cannot see the tops of the levees!" exclaimed OEP Director Larry Ingargiola.
At 11:00 p.m. of August 29, Mayor Ray Nagin conducted an interview with WWL-TV discussing the damage to New Orleans. He described New Orleans as "totally dark" with no clear way in or out, eighty percent of the City flooded, with some areas having water depths of 20 feet (6 m). Both airports were underwater, "three huge boats" had run aground, along with an oil tanker which was leaking oil. The yacht club was destroyed by a fire, and gas leaks were reported throughout the City. The Pontchartrain Expressway (Interstate 10 in Downtown, not to be confused with the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway) was "full of water" and the "Twin Spans" over the east end of Lake Pontchartrain were "totally destroyed".
As of 11:30 p.m. CDT, WDSU-TV reported at least part of the I-10 Twin Span had completely collapsed. On WWL-TV, Mayor Nagin stated that, according to a FEMA official, the entire length of the Twin Span had been destroyed
By September 2, NOAA had published aerial photography of many of the affected regions.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effect_of_Hurricane_Katrina_on_New_Orleans
Storm Effects Homepage
Website Homepage
