New Orleans is flooding, under martial law

Jefferson Parish in Louisiana is under martial law[*1] .

Michael Brown, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said on CBS that it would be “quite a while” before evacuees can return. In some places, “it will be weeks at least before people can get back.”

The city “is going to be incredibly dangerous” due to structural damage to homes, diseases from animal carcasses and chemicals in homes, Brown said.

Flood waters are still rising in New Orleans. There are reports that the 17th Street levee in New Orleans has a “two-block wide break.” Things appear to be deteriorating rapidly in New Orleans. The early assertions that the city had “dodged a bullet” appear to be premature.

Prayers and donations to the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross, or other reputable charitable organizations are the rule of the day. Give blood if you can.There will be no Morning Whip today…frankly, the developing Katrina disaster is the only story worth reporting today.