All that New Orleans can do is watch:
ALL RESIDENTS ON THE EAST BANK OF ORLEANS AND JEFFERSON REMAINING IN THE METRO AREA ARE BEING TOLD TO EVACUATE AS EFFORTS TO SANDBAG THE LEVEE BREAK HAVE ENDED. THE PUMPS IN THAT AREA ARE EXPECTED TO FAIL SOON AND 9 FEET OF WATER IS EXPECTED IN THE ENTIRE EAST BANK. WITHIN THE NEXT 12-15 HOURS
This threatens Metarie and Jefferson Parish which have largely avoided over-the-head water.
The Blog.
The Live Streaming.
Mayor Nagin reports that the water will cross Claiborne Avenue, separating the unflooded portions of the city from the flooded portions. All of the true Jewels of New Orleans: Tulane, St.Charles Avenue, the French Quarter, Loyola, Audobon Zoo, Commander's Palace, the Garden District, Lafayette Cemetery, all of the true French era neighborhoods, all of which are dry now, will go under.
Mayor Nagin reports the repair operation was apparently a FUBAR beyond all recognition. The helicoptors which were to ferry the 2-ton sandbags which were to form the basis of the levee repair NEVER MADE IT.
This means that Lake Ponchatrain, 3 feet above sea level, will drain into a city below sea level with walls all around it.
We need a miracle.
UPDATE: I initially reported wrongly - it was the helicoptors that are to blame:
8:04 P.M. Mayor Nagin: Unhappy that the helicopters slated to drop 3,000-pound bags into the levee never showed up to stop the flow of water. Too many chiefs calling shots he says.
I suppose the scant helicoptors assigned to NO already, and which could have been radioed in at a moment's notice, did not have the lift capabilty to lift the sandbags? I'll try to update as the facts come in, but only Mayor Nagin has had the balls to say anything to date.
UPDATE II Captain Underpants' comments below that MSNBC reports ...the Army Corps of Engineers have a plan to sink some grain barges where the canal meets Lake Ponchantrain (sp?), and stop about 90% of the water flow there. Hope it works...
It's a start at least. I'm glad to hear at least they aren't just giving up the ghost.
UPDATE III Governor Blanco just held a press conference (10:12 CST) reporting that the National Guard is dropping sandbags into the levee breach, but that the breach is very deep.
General(?) Raleigh(?) from the Army Corps of Engineers, who came off as a competent individual, and more importantly, engineer, says that the sandbagging is but one-half of the operation, the other being to plug the Canal from the Lake that leads to the breached levy. Good Luck to the Army Corps of Engineers, who appear to be in complete jurisdiction of the issue, appearing by the Governor's side. If they can slow it down enough, Lake Ponchatrain will reportedly lower to a tenable level, though it's admittedly hit and miss.
UPDATE IV (10:40) WWL reported that efforts will continue through the night, and signed off. Back on the air at 5:30.