Recovering From a Storm Now Headed for the History Books

Katrina damaged the Superdome, the main sports center in New Orleans.  But it became a temporary shelter for thousands.  Many stayed there for days; they had no place else to go.  It was hot, crowded and dirty.  Conditions became deplorable.  There were deaths but the bodies were not removed.  Finally, buses came.  They took the people to the Astrodome and other shelters.

In New Orleans, when flood controls failed, so did law and order.  People entered stores to find food, drinking water and diapers for babies.  But people also stole things like televisions and guns.  Anarchy spread in the streets.

There are efforts across the nation to collect money for survivors of Hurricane Katrina.  Two former presidents, the first George Bush and Bill Clinton, will lead a private campaign.  They led a similar effort after the earthquake and tsunami waves in the Indian Ocean last December.  Countries that received American aid are now among the nations that have offered assistance.