thedrifter
09-14-05, 06:14 PM
6NEWS' Kara Finnstrom traveled with Marines during rescue missions on the Gulf Coast
05:45 PM EDT on Wednesday, September 14, 2005
By KARA FINNSTROM / 6NEWS
From the air U.S. Marines search for survivors of Hurricane Katrina.
The utter devastation in Louisiana's Saint Bernard Parish has been overshadowed by the flooding and chaos in New Orleans. But as the airport and port reopen in New Orleans and some begin making plans to rebuild, St. Bernard leaders are telling their community no one should expect to live there until next summer.
Evening while flying high above it, the stench of watery rot was suffocating. In areas where the waters have receded an empty ball field could be seen along with a supermarket no doubt still packed with the food and water so many desperately needed.
The marines admitted, from the air, they saw no signs of life.
“We've typically just seen other helicopters out there trying to rescue people,” Marine Captain David Nevers said.
On the ground, search and rescue crews busted into putrid, sweltering homes.
6NEWS
Marines in New Orleans searched door to door for survivors.
"That's why every interior search we make, we go up in the attic just to be sure," Nevers said
While the chances of finding survivors dwindled, the hope keeps crews going. One survivor, who was down to his last three bottles of water, was found by rescue workers.
“We may be getting toward the end, but we're going to give it our best until we're told otherwise,” said Major J.R. Judkins.
Thirty two people drowned in the St. Rita nursing home. Some fear St. Bernard Parish may be one of the largest watery graveyards of Katrina.
The hope is that most people did evacuate in time. Experts with the National Weather Service now believe water rushed the area from three sides then was joined by an explosive wave when a levee on the Industrial Canal burst leaving those remaining with no place to hide.
Parish leaders told 6NEWS they expect their search and rescue efforts to continue through at least this weekend.
Parish leaders are telling their neighbors -- when they come back they won't recognize their cities and towns. Wednesday, the director of emergency management for St. Bernard Parish told 6NEWS the death toll stands at 68. He also said nine different areas still need to be searched including the highest risk areas where water covered rooftops.
While in the Gulf 6NEWS anchor Kara Finnstrom traveled with Marines as they assisted in the search for survivors and casualties.
Using helicopters, the Marines looked for problems they might encounter on the ground during door to door searches.
“Our marines started making a slow and deliberate push through the parish in hopes primarily of rescuing folks who are still in their houses,” Captain said.
Within minutes the chopper was above homes that were intact to neighborhoods submerged in water. The only movement below was oil creeping along the water.
Ellie
05:45 PM EDT on Wednesday, September 14, 2005
By KARA FINNSTROM / 6NEWS
From the air U.S. Marines search for survivors of Hurricane Katrina.
The utter devastation in Louisiana's Saint Bernard Parish has been overshadowed by the flooding and chaos in New Orleans. But as the airport and port reopen in New Orleans and some begin making plans to rebuild, St. Bernard leaders are telling their community no one should expect to live there until next summer.
Evening while flying high above it, the stench of watery rot was suffocating. In areas where the waters have receded an empty ball field could be seen along with a supermarket no doubt still packed with the food and water so many desperately needed.
The marines admitted, from the air, they saw no signs of life.
“We've typically just seen other helicopters out there trying to rescue people,” Marine Captain David Nevers said.
On the ground, search and rescue crews busted into putrid, sweltering homes.
6NEWS
Marines in New Orleans searched door to door for survivors.
"That's why every interior search we make, we go up in the attic just to be sure," Nevers said
While the chances of finding survivors dwindled, the hope keeps crews going. One survivor, who was down to his last three bottles of water, was found by rescue workers.
“We may be getting toward the end, but we're going to give it our best until we're told otherwise,” said Major J.R. Judkins.
Thirty two people drowned in the St. Rita nursing home. Some fear St. Bernard Parish may be one of the largest watery graveyards of Katrina.
The hope is that most people did evacuate in time. Experts with the National Weather Service now believe water rushed the area from three sides then was joined by an explosive wave when a levee on the Industrial Canal burst leaving those remaining with no place to hide.
Parish leaders told 6NEWS they expect their search and rescue efforts to continue through at least this weekend.
Parish leaders are telling their neighbors -- when they come back they won't recognize their cities and towns. Wednesday, the director of emergency management for St. Bernard Parish told 6NEWS the death toll stands at 68. He also said nine different areas still need to be searched including the highest risk areas where water covered rooftops.
While in the Gulf 6NEWS anchor Kara Finnstrom traveled with Marines as they assisted in the search for survivors and casualties.
Using helicopters, the Marines looked for problems they might encounter on the ground during door to door searches.
“Our marines started making a slow and deliberate push through the parish in hopes primarily of rescuing folks who are still in their houses,” Captain said.
Within minutes the chopper was above homes that were intact to neighborhoods submerged in water. The only movement below was oil creeping along the water.
Ellie