Gustav leaves grim aftermath - Damage Assessment

"No power, no tissue, no phone, and the lady just came to collect the rent," said elementary school teacher Shondrelle Paul, who with her 11-month-old baby and sister were holed up at the Budget Inn in Gonzales, La. "Money is getting thin."

With no electricity Tuesday, ATMs could not dispense money and restaurants could not open to feed people still unable to return home. Communication was made difficult by spotty cellular and Internet service.

Dozens of hospitals were still running on generator power, several without air conditioning, and there were fears that hundreds of patients might have to be evacuated in the next few days. Only one hospital in New Orleans had the capacity to provide dialysis — though all but one were up and running — and two in the Alexandria area were running low on drinking water. - chron.com

NVDL: If Ike makes it into the Gulf we'll really be seeing a disaster. New Orleans seems to be holding on by a thread. I've heard talk that it may be several weeks to restore power. The implications are obvious. Even if (and when) power is restored, you're still talking about a near total shutdown, a blackout, in 20% of US oil production. I don't care what demand is doing, that sort of supply cut alone can propel oil prices worldwide to $150 and $200.

clipped from www.chron.com Watch out for the gator Snakes slithered through murky floodwaters in subdivisions north of here as some residents returned Tuesday to see their damaged homes. Cars parked on curbs were nearly submerged and mailboxes barely poked above the water. Red ants floated in long lines and homeowners waded to their homes afraid alligators from nearby bayous could be lurking in the dark water. On the east side of town, at least six barges and a ship broke loose from their moorings at a salvage yard during the hurricane. The storm surge shoved them about a half-mile north toward an Interstate 10 high-rise bridge that leads to Slidell. The vessels came to rest when they ran aground diagonally across the Industrial Canal and wedged together about 20 yards from the bridge's pilings. Had they floated a few more yards, they could have hit the supports for the span, officials said.