Senator Says Thousands Killed In Louisiana

From MSNBC: A wire report says that U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana believes that thousands may have been killed by Hurricane Katrina.

MSNBC has also reported on an outpouring of support from all across the nation. The Red Cross reports that $21 million has been pledged for victims of Monday's hurricane. Postings appearing on the websites craigslist.com and NOLA.com spoke of the willingness of private citizens to take in evacuees displaced by the effects of Katrina, according to the network.

CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News Channel have provided continuous coverage of the aftermath of this unprecedented natural disaster. Of all the channels, I have been most impressed by CNN, which has provided virtually 24-hour live coverage of this event.

The video carried by all networks has been profoundly moving. Citizens as well as emergency response teams have worked tirelessly to aid those in need, and a spirit of survival is most evident. However, reports of a wave of looting, carjacking, and even more serious crimes in New Orleans are deeply disturbing.

If it is true that thousands were killed by this storm, reports say that this disaster will have been the worst to have struck the United States since the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, which is estimated to have killed up to 6,000. The lawlessness in sectors of New Orleans has only aggravated what is already a horrific situation.

More than 10,000 National Guard troops and other first responders are reportedly being deployed to restore order and provide much-needed aid to the region. Federal, State, and local authorities have rescued thousands stranded by the floodwaters in New Orleans. Hundreds of vehicles carrying personnel and supplies have been seen streaming into the disaster zone by land, sea, and air.

Efforts are under way to repair the broken levees that have caused such vast destruction in the Crescent City. I join millions of others in hoping that whatever may be needed is supplied by the nation to restore the entire area devastated by Katrina to a livable state. Further, the needs of individuals displaced by the disaster cannot be overlooked. They deserve every consideration as they attempt to carry on after what is clearly the most traumatic event to hit this country since 9/11.

I have already contributed funds to assist the victims of this horrible disaster. I strongly urge all Americans who can afford to do so to do the same.