God have mercy

The mayor of New Orleans said Katrina probably killed thousands of people in the city.

"We know there is a significant number of dead bodies in the water," and other people dead in attics, Mayor Ray Nagin said. Asked how many, he said: "Minimum, hundreds. Most likely, thousands."

The looting continues. Last night a Children's hospital in the city was under siege.

Late Tuesday, Gov. Blanco spokeswoman Denise Bottcher described a disturbing scene unfolding in uptown New Orleans, where looters were trying to break into Children's Hospital.Bottcher said the director of the hospital fears for the safety of the staff and the 100 kids inside the hospital.

The director said the hospital is locked, but that the looters were trying to break in and had gathered outside the facility.The director has sought help from the police, but, due to rising flood waters, police have not been able to respond.

Bottcher said Blanco has been told of the situation and has informed the National Guard. However, Bottcher said, the National Guard has also been unable to respond.

Note the New Orleans Times-Picayune has an excellent blog with breaking news concerning the city.

Emergency generators are reported to be out of fuel too at University and Charity hospitals.

The Superdome is being evacuated. 22,000 people took refuge there during Katrina. They will be bused to Houston Texas. The entire evacuation process is expected to take two days.

One company, Miller Beer I think, is shipping large amounts of bottled water to the hurricane stricken area. Kudos to them, unfortunately a few corporations are missing. It seems tsunami victims in Asia were more appealing than hurricane victims in the country they are based out of. I think I have tomorrow's Knucklehead award lined up.

Pope Benedict XVI is asking for prayers for the city and its residents. As I said, God have mercy.