It is highly unfortunate, but also coincidental that Hurricane Isaac is hitting Louisiana essentially seven years to the day of Hurricane Katrina. The storm has also already drenched parts of Mississippi and Florida. Rain caused by the hurricane has gone as far up north as North Carolina.
The winds of Hurricane Isaac came into Louisiana Tuesday night at high speeds of eighty miles per hour. Citizens in the area are prepared for the downpour of rain and the high winds. The people of Louisiana are ready to stand up to any hurricane to make sure that there is no repeat of Hurricane Katrina.
Isaac
Hurricane Isaac has proven to be strong. So far the highest winds registered have been over 100 miles per hour, even though those were short lived. The storm raged on through the night. As people remained safe inside, Hurricane Isaac continued to pour water down on the citizens of the Southern Coast.
Though not to the same level as Hurricane Katrina seven years ago, there are reports of floods and areas where the storm is stronger than the rest. Experts predicted flood levels to rise to as much as twelve feet in some areas where the storm hit the hardest.
Preparing for the hurricane
President Obama himself has advised the people who are in the line of fire to listen to those in charge in the areas. Obama has told the people to not take any of the warnings given to them lightly. It was highly suggested that safety be the number one concern.
With the high winds and the strong rain, it simply is not safe to try to drive north or to even simply be outside in most areas. Hurricane Isaac has destroyed trees and damaged infrastructure. Hundreds of thousands of Americans in the south are currently without power because of damaged power lines. Hurricane Isaac is hurting the people in more ways than just making them wet.
In addition, some airports in the south were even closed. Many businesses and forms of public transportation had to shut down and close early. The risks associated with the hurricane are too great to risk. The people of the south know all too well what a hurricane can do. After all, Wednesday is the seventh anniversary of the devastating Hurricane Katrina. Katrina taught the United States just what Mother Nature can do.
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina might have happened seven years ago, but it is by no means yesterday’s news. The effects of Katrina are still evident in New Orleans and Louisiana. And with the downpour of Hurricane Isaac, the people of New Orleans are remembering what happened seven years ago and exactly what Katrina did to them and their home.
Katrina came into the south and changed lives forever. Approximately 80 percent of the city of New Orleans was flooded under water seven years ago. A total of an estimated 1,836 people lost their lives in the storm. Hundreds of people are still unaccounted for, meaning that we do not know where they are, but we cannot be sure they are dead.
The destruction that Katrina caused resulted in hundreds of thousands of residents losing their jobs and having to essentially start their lives over again after the storm. Thousands of residents were displaced with families being sent all over the country because their former hometown was simply uninhabitable.
The people of the United States, as well as various residents of the world, came together to support the people of New Orleans and the south with essentials like food and water in addition to financial contributions.
Katrina and Isaac
Luckily, Isaac is not expected to be nearly as devastating as Katrina. The hurricane could pick up speed and cause more damage. However, at this point many are certain that the storm will not reach Hurricane Katrina levels. The hope is that no major damage will occur and that all damage that does occur is minimal and can be fixed and cleaned up quickly. The south knows what a hurricane can do. While Isaac is a terrible reminder of the days of Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath, it is likely that Isaac will not leave a mark quite as drastic as Katrina.
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