Gustav

Sweet Jesus not again.

Officials' biggest fear by far was a direct hit to New Orleans, where post-Katrina rebuilding remains a work in progress. Roughly two-thirds of the population has returned and countless homeowners have used their savings to fix up their properties. But many homes still lie in disrepair, and the byzantine system of canals, pumps and levees that is supposed to protect the city from flooding remains incomplete.

"Although we have made strong strides in rebuilding our infrastructure, the levees have not been fully repaired and we have an $800-million budget gap to complete our sewage and water systems," Nagin said earlier in a statement.

Comments

[Jeff Albert]

1.

I was driving home today, listening to the am radio trying to catch a storm track update. They were talking to the various public officials about evacuation timings and whatnot.

It was suddenly emotionally overwhelming. It was like three years ago flashbacks.

I think we (the people of southeast LA) have the logistics of the whole scene pretty together. I just hope we can handle the emotional trip...

As long as there are no failing levees, we'll be cool.

I think.

[Maggie Osterberg]

2.

I'm really, really hoping that Gustav peters out sooner than later, a feeling that was reinforced when I read that "security" will be, in part, be provided by Blackwater Worldwide.

I really don't want to see insult added to injury.