And Now For The Good News

OK, you've heard all that went wrong with Hurricane Katrina. What about the good news?

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... the forecast of 10,000 or more deaths from Katrina did not come true. In fact, in terms of fatalities, Katrina may not ultimately rank as one of the deadliest hurricanes. Since 1492, 40 other hurricanes have claimed more lives _ over 1,100 _ than Katrina has to date, according to National Hurricane Center records.

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THE EVACUATION: Nagin says 80 percent of New Orleans residents complied with the evacuation order. That's much better than the average rate of 60 percent, he said. Residents of coastal Mississippi and Alabama fled in similar proportions.

DEATHS: There were forecasts of tens of thousands of deaths in the city from drowning, as citizens fled advancing floods by climbing into their attics, where they were trapped and drowned. "Minimum, hundreds. Most likely thousands," Nagin said after the city was flooded. But after house-to-house searches, the toll from Katrina so far is substantially less severe than the prediction.

Also remarkably safe has been the 24/7 effort by the National Guard and active-duty troops to fly in supplies and rescue the stranded and sick: 271 helicopters and 75 military planes flew more than 12,200 sorties, and rescued close to 10,000 people, without an accident.

Lance Gay and Lisa Hoffman, Capitol Hill Blue, September 16, 2005

tags: victims  katrina