Monstrous Hurricane Heads for New Orleans - headline from UK

[steve2470]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5240115,00.html

Monday August 29, 2005 7:46 AM

AP Photo LADM124

By ADAM NOSSITER

Associated Press Writer

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - An eerie quiet seized downtown New Orleans as a monstrous Hurricane Katrina charged toward the low-lying city with 160-mph winds and the threat of a catastrophic storm surge, prompting residents to flee in bumber-to-bumber traffic or huddle in the Superdome for safety.

Mayor Ray Nagin said he believed 80 percent of the city's 480,000 residents had heeded an unprecedented mandatory evacuation as Katrina threatened to become the most powerful storm ever to slam the city.

``It's capable of causing catastrophic damage,'' said National Hurricane Center Director Max Mayfield. ``Even well-built structures will have tremendous damage. Of course, what we're really worried about is the loss of lives.

``New Orleans may never be the same.''

The Louisiana Superdome, normally home of professional football's Saints, became the shelter of last resort Sunday for thousands of the area's poor, homeless and frail. Among those who lined up for blocks as National Guardsmen searched them for guns, knives and drugs were residents who hobbled to safety on crutches, canes and stretchers.

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