Sad to say, the cost in human life of Hurricane Katrina is expected to rise into triple figures. Some experts believe that it may be the worst natural disaster ever to hit the United States, with unconfirmed reports of at least 80 deaths in Mississippi. Damage amounting to some £14 billion (about $24 billion) is expected.
New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin said: "We have just about everyone you can think of out there trying to rescue individuals from their roofs. We have an incredible amount of water in this city, both airports are under water, we have an oil tanker that has run aground and leaking oil, we have houses that have been literally picked up off their foundations and moved."