Devastation After Hurricane Katrina(For Billy Lee Hae Gyu)

Crews rescue people after a deadly storm leaves hundreds of thousands without shelter or electricity.
Hurricane Katrina뭩 winds have died down, but the destruction it left behind will affect thousands of people in Gulf Coast states for a long time. On Monday, Katrina caused immense damage as it hit Louisiana with 140 mile per hour winds and moved into Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Florida
It뭩 estimated that Katrina killed 110 people, but officials say that number may rise to more than 200. "The devastation is greater than our worst fears," Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco said. "It's totally overwhelming."
By Tuesday afternoon, Katrina was downgraded to a tropical depression, with winds blowing at 35 miles per hour. This allowed rescue workers to safely enter the areas hit hardest by devastating winds and flooding.
Rescue and Relief
Rescue workers in boats and helicopters worked tirelessly on Tuesday to help survivors. Many are stranded on rooftops with rising floodwaters below. Doctors and nurses are traveling to the hardest hit areas with medical supplies. Relief workers are also rushing baby formula, food, water, generators, and communications equipment to people affected by the storm.
Crews are also working to find shelter for people in need. The number of stranded seeking shelter is expected to grow as people realize they cannot return to their homes. On Tuesday, rising waters forced tens of thousands of people in New Orleans shelters to evacuate.
The Damage
Experts say it could cost more than $26 billion to recover from Katrina뭩 damage. That뭩 more than any storm in U.S. history. On Monday, President George W. Bush declared Louisiana and Mississippi disaster areas. That means people who were affected by Katrina are eligible to receive money from the federal government.
"The good folks in Louisiana and Mississippi and Alabama and other affected areas are going to need the help and compassion and prayers of our fellow citizens," said Bush, who cut his vacation short to help with relief efforts.
How a Hurricane Forms
A hurricane is created in West Africa, where small storms are powered by wet weather, winds and warm ocean waters. Most storms stay small as they move across the Atlantic Ocean. But a few speed up and grow as they travel west. When these thunderstorms form a swirling pattern, the storm system is called a tropical depression. When winds reach 40 miles per hour, the system is called a tropical storm.
The storm becomes a hurricane when winds reach 74 miles per hour. When a hurricane hits land, the winds weaken, like Katrina did when it hit Louisiana. The areas hit hardest are usually those that are hit first.
Comprehension Questions