Leaky Roofs are Nervewracking

You probably saw news coverage of the 2-mile line of people waiting to get searched and questioned so they could take shelter in the Superdome. These are the poorest of the poor, the sick and frail, the elderly. They had no car, or maybe no family to help. Many of them brought a little package of their most treasured possessions for safekeeping, since the city will be largely destroyed by Katrina.

There are about 10,000 people there. The air conditioning gave out.

Now, the roof is leaking. Leaking quite badly and in numerous places, although there's no breach visible yet. That roof is 250' high, about 25 stories, so it may be they just can't see a breach from the ground.

On Good Morning America a reporter in the Superdome said the sound of the leaks was like a marching band overhead, like the beating of massive drums. Another said it sounded like a waterfall. No one is allowed on the field any more. The people are in the stands and they're trying to move everyone into the end zone areas and concourse for safety.

Update: Part of the roof has peeled back and the holes are showing. The wind is forcing the rain in and it's streaming down.

The leaks are so bad that everyone's terrified. A lot of them are soaked, too. So are those little parcels of keepsakes and food and medicine they've been holding close.

Katrina's center hasn't even reached them yet. They still have another couple hours of the worst of the storm to go through.

Their place of refuge is not safe. There is nothing anyone can do but wait.