IS THE SUPERDOME stable enough to withstand

[greenbriar]

what is coming???

[stevedeshazer]

1. Yes.

[MadisonProgressive]

3. Even the experts will admit they don't know for sure!

[tjdee]

2. Supposed to be able to withstand 200 mph winds.

But some study wasn't completed, some are saying?

Anyway, I've heard over and over that the SD is supposed to be okay. Still, I wouldn't want to be there.

[Renew Deal]

4. Another under .500 season for the Saints?

Yes. They can handle it. It happens almost every year. :silly:

[rockribbedliberal]

5. They think so ...

but they can't be sure. The dome was finished in 1975. The last direct hit from a major hurricane in N.O. was Betsy in 1965, and it was only a Cat 3.

I can tell you this, though: I doubt there's a more structurally sound building in the whole city, not to mention it's off the ground. Remember that officials are worried more about flooding than wind, and riding it out in the loge or terrace section of the Dome would beat being perched on the roof of your 65-year-old shotgun duplex.

[Maru Kitteh]

16. They are expecting 70,000+ people in the dome - will the upper level hold

them all when it floods? Won't matter if they have a roof or not then will it? All of that water will deform and weaken the structure.

I'm very afraid for the left behind, forgotten and poor in the superdome.


:cry:

[DoYouEverWonder]

6. The building itself is steel and concrete

and will probably be okay, it's the roof that is the big problem.

[rodeodance]

7. they said the study was done before the highrises next to them were

build. But they did not offer any additional information.

[DoYouEverWonder]

11. There are no hi-rises anywhere near the Superdome

Most of that development is closer to downtown.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

23. Are you located in New Orleans? This satellite pic seems to show....

...high rises to the north and east of the Superdome, and when I was there in January of this year, they even looked like high rises.

<http://terraserver.microsoft.com/image.aspx?T=4&S=10&Z=15&X=3909&Y=16584&W=1&qs=Sugar+Bowl+Drive%7cNew+Orleans%7cLA%7c&Addr=Sugar+Bowl+Dr%2c+New+Orleans%2c+LA+70112&ALon=-90.0784814&ALat=29.9514826>

[DoYouEverWonder]

24. It's been a few years

and I don't remember those buildings, even though they aren't that tall as far as hi-rises go. I don't think that they are close enough to cause the Superdome any problems even if they collapsed. The flying debris would be a problem but that is going to be a problem even without near by hi-rises.

[KG]

8. if it was designed for 200mph, then the caculations included

an added safety margin. it might susatain some damage, but it wont fall down.

really, why are so many here buying into this fear mongering crap from the cable news idiots?

[AgadorSparticus]

9. I'm having doubts because TWC reporter who was going to stay at the

dome has now moved to safer ground. I'm worried this structure, while it can withstand the winds, will get pummeled by the water surge.

[Scout1071]

25. I was there at the Final Four a few years ago and we had heavy rains

during the game. I remember being kind of terrified at the sound of thunder over the dome and I believe that they had to stop and wipe the floors throughout the game from the roof leaking.

I'm truly praying for those people. They are in for a nightmare.

[slutticus]

10. They don't know.

http://www.wwltv.com/local/stories/wwl092304thanh.12956...

<snip>It appears a facility as large as the Dome could hold up in hurricane conditions but Bill Curl, spokesman for the Superdome, says that is yet to be tested and if there is no other choice then maybe the Dome could serve as a shelter.

“Only in dire emergencies. The Superdome is not a shelter,” said Curl.

According to Curl, the assumption that the Superdome can withstand hurricane force winds is just that: an assumption. He says more analysis is needed to determine what the Dome can actually withstand because previous wind studies have become somewhat irrelevant since they did not factor in the new high-rise buildings around the Dome.

“They create a wind tunnel effect and that needs to be tested. There were initial studies that indicated 130 miles per hour, but we don’t know,” said Curl. He adds that the Dome is not impervious to the same elements other areas would be exposed to

[goodboy]

12. I don't think anyone knows. Engineers never studied what could happen

in a situation similar to what's about to occur with Katrina.,

[liberal N proud]

13. That is one hell of a roof span to with stand 170+ mph winds and rain

I don't know as I would feel comfortable in there.

[Deja Q]

14. If not, it'll be people pate...

Heartless, yes, but let's keep things in perspective: It may or may not work out.

I will still grieve no less for making the dark joke and, let's face it, we're all going to die of something. Like I keep saying, live and enjoy life while you can

[Kurovski]

15. At what point do they end the "homeland security" shit

and let people in? They're inspecting everyone's bags.

At some point they have to let 'em in whether they have booze, weapons or not.

Where's the NRA when you need 'em? They should be fucking SCREAMING over this.

[SmokingJacket]

17. Even if it holds up...

it's going to be a living hell. The electricity is certain to go out, it's likely to flood, and 70,000 there for how many days??

I hope it holds up, but that anyone has to take shelter there is a damn shame.

[MadisonProgressive]

18. I hope they have a backup generator

can you imagine that many people together in pitch darkness?

[Joanne98]

19. Was the World Trade Towers stable enough?

[Bill Bored]

22. They were stable enough

until that chimp in the Whitehouse didn't bother to read the f#%^ing memo:

http://www.cnn.com/2004/images/04/10/whitehouse.pdf

[Jacobin]

20. Some of the skin will peel off. Hopefully the roof holds

It may get quite a bit of flood water in it

[KBlagburn]

21. The Superdome Is NOT on solid ground

When they built it they could not find solid ground. So they bore steel rods into the ground and built the foundation on them. I believe the dome itself would survive but I am more concerned about the saturated ground beneath it.