LouisianaHistory.info

The Storm
(8/29 - 10/11, 2005)

DateTimeEventAuthorFormatLinkKeyword 1Keyword 2
8/29/200512:00 AMMarty Bahamonde returns to the Emergency Operations Center to ride out the storm. [T.E.*]BahamondeTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/29/200512:00 AMThe Federal Register publishes a Presidential declaration of a major disaster under the Stafford Act for the State of Alabama. [Time not noted.]Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

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8/29/200512:00 AMThe Federal Register publishes a Presidential declaration of a major disaster under the Stafford Act for the State of Louisiana. [Time not noted.]Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

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8/29/200512:00 AMThe Federal Register published a Presidential declaration of a major disaster under the Stafford Act for the State of Mississippi. [Time not noted.]Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

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8/29/200512:00 AMGovernor Bob Riley requests that President Bush declare a major disaster under the Stafford Act. [Time not noted.]Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

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8/29/200512:00 AMGovernor Bob Riley requests that President Bush declare an emergency disaster under the Stafford Act. [Time not noted.]Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

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8/29/200512:00 AMMayor Nagin writes a memo to FEMA (Marty Bahamonde) detailing the city's "Katrina Critical Needs Assessment." [Time not noted.]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

HOT-
8/29/200512:00 AMMayor Ray Nagin decides to ride out the storm at the Hyatt hotel. [Time not noted.]BrinkleyBookClick Here

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8/29/200512:47 AMA DHS assessment of the storm's likely impact is emailed to the White House's Homeland Security Operations Center.Committee on HomelandReportClick Here

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8/29/200512:47 AMThe White House receives a Fast Analysis Report prepared by the National Infrastructure Simulations & Analysis Center reporting that Katrina will "likely lead to severe flooding and/or levee breaking." [CST]WarrickArticleClick Here

Levees-
8/29/20052:00 AMNWS Advisory 25B notes the storm is about 130 south-southeast of New Orleans.National Hurricane CWeb PageClick Here

Meteorology-
8/29/20054:00 AMNWS Advisory 26 notes the storm is about 90 miles south southeast of New Orleans and about 120 miles south-south-southwest of Biloxi, Mississippi. Sustained winds of 150 mph are forecast, and the storm is expected to make landfall near Grand Isle. The storm is expected to be a Category Four storm at landfall which could affect upper floors of high-rise buildings.National Hurricane CWeb PageClick Here

Meteorology-
8/29/20054:30 AMWater enters the New Orleans Metro bowl and Orleans East due to what are, at first, relatively minor levee breaches at the intersection of the CSX Railroad and the Industrial Canal.van HeerdenBookClick Here

Levees-
8/29/20055:00 AMMississippi River-Gulf Outlet levees begin to fail.MarshallArticleClick Here

Levees-
8/29/20055:00 AMPower fails at the Superdome.BrinkleyBookClick Here

Infrastructure-
8/29/20055:00 AMMayor Nagin holds an early morning conference call with his staff.NaginBookClick Here

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8/29/20056:00 AMNWS Advisory 26A notes the storm is about 80 miles south-southeast of New Orleans and about 95 miles south-southwest of Biloxi. In this Advisory, the NWS reports that Katrina is a Category 4 storm and landfall is soon expected near Empire and Burras, Louisiana.National Hurricane CWeb PageClick Here

Meteorology-
8/29/20056:00 AMGovernor Blanco appears on morning news shows to discuss the approaching storm. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

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8/29/20056:00 AMMayor Nagin joins a conference call with state and local officials and the National Weather Service concerning Katrina's impact. Initial reports are "generally positive."NaginBookClick Here

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8/29/20056:01 AMWDSU notes an AP story that Katrina has come ashore just east of Grand Isle, LA. with winds of 150 mph.0Web PageClick Here

Meteorology-
8/29/20056:10 AMHurricane Katrina's eye makes landfall at Buras on the Louisiana coast between Grand Isle and the mouth of the Mississippi River. The storm surge overtops levees on the east bank of the river, "crosses" the river, overtops the levees on the west bank, and sends additional water into neighborhoods in Plaquemines Parish.Committee on HomelandReportClick Here

Levees-
8/29/20056:17 AMCol. Wagenaar issues a Situation Report noting outages at pumping stations, flooding in St. Bernard Parish and Arabi, intrusion of water from 17th St. Canal, and an inability to contact officials in several Parishes. Overtopping and wall failure is also noted.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

Levees-
8/29/20056:30 AMLevees at the intersection of the Industrial Canal and the MRGO are overtopped.van HeerdenBookClick Here

EngineeringLevees
8/29/20056:30 AMPhyllis Montana-Leblanc, sheltering in her apartment during the storm in New Orleans East, starts to see the building coming down around her. [T.E.*]Montana-LeblancBookClick Here

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8/29/20056:50 AMOvertopping occurs on both side of the levees on the Industrial Canal.MarshallArticleClick Here

LeveesCanals
8/29/20057:00 AMMichael Brown of FEMA arrives in Baton Rouge and shortly thereafter calls President Bush. [T.E.*]BrownBookClick Here

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8/29/20057:02 AMWDSU reports that pumps have failed around the city.0Web PageClick Here

Infrastructure-
8/29/20057:04 AMWDSU reports that power is out at the Superdome.0Web PageClick Here

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8/29/20057:08 AMWDSU notes an AP story that the head of FEMA says the city is doing a good job in handling the storm, due in part, to hurricane drill that was conducted last year.0Web PageClick Here

FEMAPreparedness
8/29/20057:12 AMWDSU reports power outages affecting 370,000 customers of Entergy.0Web PageClick Here

Infrastructure-
8/29/20057:20 AMWDSU reports that the Superdome roof is leaking.0Web PageClick Here

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8/29/20057:30 AMGovernor Blanco and LOHSEP conduct a conference call on the status of the storm.Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

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8/29/20057:30 AMOn a LOHSEP conference call, Jefferson Parish official Walter Maestri says there are unconfirmed reports of both building failures and flooding on the East Bank near the hospital.ZwerdlingTranscriptClick Here

EvacuationPreparedness
8/29/20057:33 AMMarty Bahamonde emails Michael Heath that some pumping stations have failed but there is no widespread flooding yet. Bahamonde worries that when the storm passes, northerly winds will blow the lake into the city. [Altered?]BrownEmailClick Here

FEMA-
8/29/20057:38 AMWDSU reports that windows of the Hilton Hotel have been knocked out by the storm.0Web PageClick Here

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8/29/20057:45 AMLevees on the southern end and eastern side of the Industrial Canal are breached, flooding the Lower Ninth Ward.van HeerdenBookClick Here

EngineeringLevees
8/29/20057:52 AMMichael Brown exchanges email with Cindy Taylor re: appearance. "Are you proud of me? Can I quit now? Can I go home?"BrownEmailClick Here

HOTFEMA
8/29/20057:54 AMWDSU reports that a storm surge of 25 to 30 feet can be expected to hit the Mississippi coast.0Web PageClick Here

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8/29/20058:00 AMNWS Advisory 26B notes the storm is about 40 miles south-southeast of New Orleans and about 65 miles south-southwest of Biloxi.National Hurricane CWeb PageClick Here

Meteorology-
8/29/20058:00 AMMarty Bahamonde, who spent the night at the EOC, sees incredible window damage to downtown office buildings. He also sees the roof failing at the Superdome and reports this to FEMA HQ.BahamondeTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/29/20058:00 AMMarty Bahamonde believes the eye of the storm crosses the city around this time.BahamondeTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/29/20058:00 AMAfter concluding some meetings, Mayor Nagin moves to the fourth floor atrium of the Hyatt Hotel. A series of tornadoes then move down Poydras Avenue and shatter windows in the hotel and other CBD buildings.NaginBookClick Here

FEMA
8/29/20058:04 AMWDSU reports that pumping stations are without power and that the Fire Department is responding to broken glass from the downtown Hilton Hotel.0Web PageClick Here

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8/29/20058:08 AMWDSU reports that the Superdome roof is a missing a 3x5 foot section.0Web PageClick Here

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8/29/20058:14 AMThe National Weather Service issues a flash flood warning because of a levee breach along the Industrial Canal at Tennessee Street. 3 to 8 feet of water is expected due to the breach.National Weather SerOtherClick Here

LeveesHOT
8/29/20058:30 AMFlood surges from Lake Pontchartrain overtop levees near the Lakefront Airport.MarshallArticleClick Here

Levees-
8/29/20058:38 AMWDSU notes an AP report that the Superdome roof has two holes that is allowing rain to enter the structure.0Web PageClick Here

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8/29/20058:51 AMMichael Brown exchanges email with Marty Bahamonde on attire.BrownEmailClick Here

LeveesFEMA
8/29/20059:00 AMThe storm surge on Lake Pontchartrain peaks and as Katrina passes to the east, winds at the Lakefront swing to a northwesterly direction directing a storm surge at the Lakefront.van HeerdenBookClick Here

MeteorologyLevees
8/29/20059:00 AMLouis Dabdoub (DHS Protective Security Advisor) sends email to colleagues reporting major flooding (10 feet) in the city.Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/29/20059:04 AMWDSU reports that Ochsner Hospital is moving patients out of ground-level floors due to flooding.0Web PageClick Here

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8/29/20059:21 AMFEMA officials exchange emails re: Superdome roof failure, high rise window failures, severe flooding, and trapped homeowners.BrownEmailClick Here

LeveesFEMA
8/29/20059:30 AMThe London Avenue Canal levee near the Mirabeau Bridge levee breaches.van HeerdenBookClick Here

EngineeringLevees
8/29/20059:39 AMMichael Lowder sends an email to Michael Brown stating, "Report that the levee in Arabi has failed next to the industrial canal."MelanconReportClick Here

FEMA-
8/29/20059:45 AMThe 17th Street Canal levees are breached, flooding Lakeview and the Orleans Metro bowl.MarshallArticleClick Here

LeveesCanals
8/29/20059:46 AMWDSU notes an AP report that the threat of a 28 foot storm surge has been reduced to a 15 foot surge by the National Hurricane Center.0Web PageClick Here

Meteorology-
8/29/20059:50 AMFEMA officials (Lowder, Green, and Buikema) exchange emails about a WWL TV report that a levee has breached at Tennessee Street and the Industrial Canal. "3 to 8 feet of water is expected..."BrownEmailClick Here

LeveesFEMA
8/29/200510:00 AMKatrina makes landfall in Mississippi. The storm surge is reported 20 feet above normal in the Biloxi area.Committee on HomelandReportClick Here

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8/29/200510:00 AMNWS Advisory 27 notes a slight change in direction (to the east) as the storm is moving ashore, about 35 miles east-northeast of New Orleans and about 65 miles west-southwest of Biloxi. The NWS Advisory now Categorizes Katrina as a Category Three hurricane.National Hurricane CWeb PageClick Here

MeteorologyHOT
8/29/200510:00 AMMarty Bahamonde receives several calls from FEMA HQ seeking confirmation of his damage reports. [T.E.*]BahamondeTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/29/200510:00 AMLocal media in New Orleans reports that the worst of the storm may have passed.NaginBookClick Here

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8/29/200510:17 AMSharon Worthy emails Michael Brown and tells him to roll up shirt sleeves when appearing on TV.BrownEmailClick Here

LeveesFEMA
8/29/200510:20 AMBahamonde sends email to Michael Brown informing him of water up to the second floor level of some homes, pump failures, CBD area building damage, and flooding near the Superdome.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

HOT-
8/29/200510:30 AMA second section of the London Avenue Canal levee, south of Robert E. Lee Boulevard, is breached.van HeerdenBookClick Here

EngineeringLevees
8/29/200510:30 AMAdditional levee breaches occur on the London Avenue Canal.van HeerdenBookClick Here

EngineeringLevees
8/29/200510:40 AMWDSU reports that Beau Rivage Casino is Biloxi has flooded to its second story.0Web PageClick Here

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8/29/200510:51 AMWDSU notes an AP report of rain coming through the roof of the Superdome where power is out.0Web PageClick Here

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8/29/200511:00 AMMarty Bahamonde, at the EOC, hears reports that the 17th Avenue Canal levees had breached.BahamondeTranscriptClick Here

Levees-
8/29/200511:00 AMPresident Bush visits troops at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona after Hurricane Katrina makes landfall earlier in the day. The President speaks about the Medicare Prescription Plan and makes brief remarks about Hurricane Katrina. [T.E.*]KnollerWeb PageClick Here

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8/29/200511:07 AMWDSU reports that Alabama and Mississippi have suffered serious damage with 10 feet of water reported some areas of Mobile.0Web PageClick Here

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8/29/200511:15 AMWDSU reports a levee breach at the Industrial Canal.0Web PageClick Here

Levees-
8/29/200511:16 AMWDSU reports that water covers some of the downtown but "dire predictions of catastrophic flooding appear to have been overstated."0Web PageClick Here

HOT-
8/29/200511:40 AMThe NWS warns of flash flooding and tells residents to bring survival tools (axes and hatchets) with them if they climb to attics or roofs.0Press ReleaseClick Here

Meteorology-
8/29/200511:40 AMWDSU reports that water is waist deep in Metairie.0Web PageClick Here

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8/29/200511:48 AMWDSU reports that the threat of storm surge is lessening now that the storm has passed.0Web PageClick Here

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8/29/200511:51 AMMichael Heath sends email to Michael Lowder who forwards it to Michael Brown reporting a "20-foot wide breach on the lake pontchartrain side levy." [sic]BahamondeTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/29/200511:52 AMWDSU reports that Chalmette High School's window have been blown out and water in the area is as high as 10 feet and rising rapidly.0Web PageClick Here

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8/29/200512:00 PMIn the afternoon, state and local first responder's communications begin to fail in the New Orleans area and Mississippi.Committee on HomelandReportClick Here

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8/29/200512:00 PMNWS Advisory 27A notes that the storm is weakening as it moves onshore and is now located 40 miles south-southwest of Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Maximum sustained winds are estimated at 105 mph and the storm has weakened to a Category Two hurricane.National Hurricane CWeb PageClick Here

Meteorology-
8/29/200512:00 PMFEMA holds a video conference call. Chertoff is informed by Blanco that the levees have not been breached.Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

FEMAHOT
8/29/200512:00 PMThe DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties begins daily meetings to address issues encountered by citizens with disabilities. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/29/200512:00 PMThe Transportation and Safety Administration (TSA) establishes an Events Coordination Center to manage the deployment of assets to the affected area. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/29/200512:09 PMMichael Brown responds to email about levee breaches, "I'm being told here water over, not a breach."BrownEmailClick Here

LeveesFEMA
8/29/20051:00 PMGovernor Blanco speaks with President Bush and requests "everything you've got." [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

HOT
8/29/20051:26 PMWDSU reports that conditions are "slowly improving" but rains are expected to continue.0Web PageClick Here

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8/29/20051:38 PMCindy Taylor updates David Passey with information from Marty Bahamonde. She writes that the 17th Avenue canal is allowing water into the city, the north side of city is under 11 feet of water, Charity Hospital is lacking power, windows, and communications, and that power will be out for over a month. [Altered?]BrownEmailClick Here

FEMA-
8/29/20051:51 PMThe U.S. Coast Guard sends email to HSOC stating, "A levee in New Orleans has been breached sending 3 to 8 feet of water in the 9th Ward area of the city."Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/29/20052:00 PMMississippi agencies begin search and rescue.Committee on HomelandReportClick Here

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8/29/20052:00 PMGovernor Blanco meets with Michael Brown at LOHSEP. They discuss evacuation buses and recovery costs. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

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8/29/20052:00 PMOver 400 National Guard troops are stranded at their base at Jackson Barracks due to flood waters from the Industrial Canal breach. [T.E.*]BrinkleyBookClick Here

PreparationHOT
8/29/20052:10 PMWDSU reports that water levels in St. Bernard Parish are 15 - 20 feet deep.0Web PageClick Here

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8/29/20052:52 PMWDSU reports that over 770,000 customers of Entergy are without power.0Web PageClick Here

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8/29/20053:00 PMAt mid-afternoon, search-and-rescue operations begin by the U.S. Coast Guard, the New Orleans Police and Fire Departments, the Louisiana National Guard, and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelanddReportClick Here

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8/29/20053:00 PMThe American Red Cross issues a Disaster Summary Report. The Report summarizes current conditions in New Orleans (flooding, power outages, etc.) and recovery efforts. The report also notes, "..some levees in New Orleans reportedly breached."Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

LeveesHOT
8/29/20053:00 PMThe Coast Guard begins search and rescue operations, 9 hours after landfall.[T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/29/20053:00 PMStreet flooding begins to drop and by evening, the area around Memorial Hospital (the Freret neighborhood) is dry. The hospital, later in the week, will be the focus of how critically ill patients (who are patients of LifeCare, Inc.) are treated during Hurricane Katrina. [T.E.*]FinkBookClick Here

Healthcare-
8/29/20054:00 PMGovernor Blanco orders the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to deploy rescue boats as soon as weather permits. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelanddTranscriptClick Here

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8/29/20054:00 PMWDSU report that New Orleans East is underwater and that water levels are as high as 5 feet.0Web PageClick Here

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8/29/20054:26 PMWDSU reports that Jefferson Parish officials are telling residents not to return to the area until further notice.0Web PageClick Here

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8/29/20055:00 PMMarty Bahamonde takes a helicopter flyover of the city with the National Guard. He is able to visually confirm the levee breach. He sees that 80% of the city is underwater.BahamondeTranscriptClick Here

HOTLevees
8/29/20055:30 PMGovernor Blanco and LOHSEP conduct a conference call on the status of the storm.Committee on HomelanddTranscriptClick Here

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8/29/20055:45 PMMarty Bahamonde is taken on a second helicopter flyover by the National Guard. The flight lasts about 45 minutes, and he confirms the catastrophic damage to the city. [T.E.*]BahamondeTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/29/20055:54 PMMark Roupas (DHS) sends email detailing planning issues for medical care in response to Hurricane Katrina. The email discusses the interaction between FEMA and DHS.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

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8/29/20056:00 PMFEMA Director Brown assures Governor Blanco that FEMA will send 500 buses to New Orleans the next day. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelanddReportClick Here

Evacuation-
8/29/20056:00 PMAn HSOC Situation Report states that levees in New Orleans have not breached despite early reports of a breach.Committee on HomelanddTranscriptClick Here

LeveesHOT
8/29/20056:00 PMPhil Parr of FEMA arrives in Louisiana after the storm has passed. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/29/20057:00 PMMarty Bahamonde calls Michael Brown to report on his helicopter flyovers. Bahamonde also calls other FEMA officials and tells them that ground transportation is non-existent, search and rescue is needed immediately, commodities and medical supplies are needed, and housing will be a major issue.BahamondeTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/29/20057:00 PMGovernor Blanco orders Sam Jones, Deputy Director of Community Programs, to recruit private boats for rescue operations. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

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8/29/20057:00 PMMayor Nagin and his advisors decide to use the Morial Convention Center as a backup shelter to the Superdome. They plan on announcing this news Tuesday morning. [T.E.*]NaginBookClick Here

FEMA
8/29/20057:05 PMMarty Bahamonde receives a call inquiring whether a conference call Bahamonde scheduled with other FEMA staff is necessary.BahamondeTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/29/20057:30 PMMarty Bahamonde tells FEMA staff on a conference call that ground transportation must come from the west of the city since the I-10 bridge is impassable. [T.E.*]BahamondeTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/29/20057:35 PMHSOC Spot Report notes, "A small breach reported at 17th Street Canal." Also noted are pump failures, overtopping, and a breach in the Harvey Canal.Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/29/20058:00 PMMayor Nagin informs Governor Blanco that the 17th Street Canal wall is failing and that the catastrophic damage may occur. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

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8/29/20058:30 PMMarty Bahamonde meets with Mayor Nagin and his staff of 25 people to discuss storm damage. [T.E.*]BahamondeTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/29/20059:00 PMMichael Brown appears on MSNBC and says he has informed the President of the immense need for housing.BahamondeTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/29/20059:00 PMMarty Bahamonde of FEMA updates Mayor Nagin in his hotel room. Bahamonde tells Nagin of levee breaches and says FEMA has not yet responded to his requests.NaginBookClick Here

FEMA
8/29/20059:27 PMSecretary Chertoff's Chief of Staff receives an email reporting that conditions in New Orleans are much worse than are being reported. It is not clear if Chertoff sees this email. [May be EST. See also Brown, p. 117]Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

HOT-
8/29/20059:27 PMBrian Besaneney (White House) sends email to other staffers relaying FEMA's reports that conditions in New Orleans are "far more serious than media reports are currently reflecting."Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

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8/29/200510:00 PMMEMA [Mississippi Emergency Management Agency] search-and-rescue teams arrive and begin life-saving operations.Committee on HomelandReportClick Here

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8/29/200510:00 PMAndy Card (White House) and Michael Brown exchange emails. "This is a bad one. Housing, transportation, and environment could be long term issues" per Brown.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

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8/29/200510:00 PMMichael Brown appears on CNN and tells viewers of the great flooding in the city.BahamondeTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/29/200510:30 PMA FEMA Teleconference Summary details observations from two afternoon flyovers by Marty Bahamonde of FEMA. Observations include compromised bridges, city flooding, a breach of 17th Avenue Canal, non-working pumps, stranded citizens, and more. Michael Brown does not participate in this teleconference.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

HOTFEMA
8/29/200510:30 PMAn HSOC Spot Report notes, "there is a quarter mile breach in the 17th Avenue Canal..an estimated 2/3 to 75% of the city is under water."Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

HOTFEMA
8/29/200510:30 PMAfter meeting with Marty Bahamonde of FEMA, Mayor Nagin decides that most of his staff needs to leave the city for safety reasons. The order applies to all employees except a small group of administrators and first responders. [T.E.*]NaginBookClick Here

FEMA
8/29/200511:05 PMPatrick Rhode (FEMA) sends email to M Jackson (DHS Deputy Secretary) with a status report on conditions in New Orleans. Rhode details a 200-yard levee breach, massive flooding, infrastructure failures, rescue operations, and logistical challenges. He notes "less visibility in MS.."Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

Levees-
8/29/200511:40 PMMichael Lowder sends an email status report to Michael Brown. He notes significant search and rescue operations are underway, hospitals are damaged, and there is "a lot more to do."BrownEmailClick Here

FEMA-
8/29/200511:47 PMHSOC Spot Report notes, "approximately 136,000 housing units in New Orleans have been impacted by flooding."Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/29/200511:59 PMPresident Bush spends the night in San Diego after visiting an Air Force Base earlier in the day. The President is still on a 30 day vacation.KnollerWeb PageClick Here

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8/29/20055:30 AMUniversity Hospital loses power.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

Infrastructure-
8/29/20058:00 AMCharity Hospital loses power.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

Healthcare-
8/29/20056:10 AMHurricane Katrina makes landfall near Burras, Louisiana at the upper end of Category 3 storms with winds of 110 knots.KnabbReportClick Here

Meteorology-
8/30/200512:00 AMMayor Nagin opens the Morial Convention Center as a refuge for the general population. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandReportClick Here

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8/30/200512:00 AMToday and tomorrow, helicopters from the U.S. Navy ship Bataan log 73 hours of flight time, carry 205 passengers, and 25,000 pounds of water to New Orleans. In the two days following, these helicopters would only log 11.5 hours of service. Over 50 medical personnel on the ship were never engaged by FEMA or the Navy. [Time refers to two day period. See also Brinkley.]WalshReportClick Here

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8/30/20052:00 AMDeputy Police Chief Riley patrols the city and sees water starting to fill the city . There is also a rumor of an impending tidal wave heading for the city. [T.E.*]NaginBookClick Here

Rumors-
8/30/20053:00 AMA FEMA medical team arrives about this time.BahamondeTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/30/20056:00 AMMarty Bahamonde sees 2-3 feet of water filling the streets near City Hall and the Superdome.BahamondeTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/30/20056:30 AMMayor Nagin learns from the Sewerage and Water Board that the 17th Street Canal has been breached.NaginBookClick Here

FEMA
8/30/20057:00 AMMarty Bahamonde calls Bill Lokey ( HSD Field Coordinating Officer) to inform him of the rising waters around City Hall and the Superdome. Lokey says a FEMA operational team would be deployed later that day. [T.E.*]BahamondeTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/30/20057:00 AMMichael Chertoff leaves Washington for the Atlanta FEMA office to attend an Avian flu meeting. He will also confer with FEMA officials in Atlanta about the conditions in the Gulf. He learns later that day that there has been a substantial breach in the levees.Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/30/20057:02 AMMarty Bahamonde writes Nicole Andrews asking when is "he" [Brown] coming to New Orleans. The mail also notes waist deep water around the Superdome. [Altered?]BrownEmailClick Here

FEMA-
8/30/20057:15 AMWAPT-TV reports that more than 80 people have died from the storm in Mississippi.0Web PageClick Here

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8/30/20057:30 AMMarty Bahamonde is informed that Michael Brown, Governor Blanco, and Senators Landrieu and Vitter would be flying to the Superdome that morning. [T.E.*]BahamondeTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/30/20057:30 AMIn a call from Marcia St. Martin of the Sewerage and Water Board, Mayor Nagin learns that Jefferson Parish is seeking permission to close a section of Hoey's cut to prevent water intrusion if there is a storm surge from Lake Pontchartrain. Nagin later alleges that Jefferson Parish pumped water into breached 17th Street Canal. [T.E.*]NaginBookClick Here

FEMA
8/30/20058:00 AMMarty Bahamonde goes to the Hyatt Hotel to inform Mayor Nagin of the planned visit by Brown, Blanco, Landrieu, and Vitter.BahamondeTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/30/20058:00 AMMemorial Hospital is threatened by waters gushing out of nearby sewers. The hospital staff had been warned earlier that morning by a National Guardsman that levees had failed and that 15 feet of water could be expected.FinkBookClick Here

Healthcare-
8/30/20058:00 AMWDSU reports that over 80% of the city of New Orleans is flooded with almost all of Slidell under water.0Web PageClick Here

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8/30/20058:00 AMMayor Nagin meets with Marty Bahamonde of FEMA. The mayor is told that Governor Blanco, Senators Vitter and Landrieu, and Michael Brown are scheduled to arrive at the Hyatt Hotel around 10:00 AM for a helicopter survey of the city.NaginBookClick Here

FEMA
8/30/20058:00 AMPresident Bush learns that levees have breached in New Orleans. [T.E.*]BushBookClick Here

HOTLevees
8/30/20058:15 AMThe AP reports that conditions inside the Superdome are deteriorating and that National Guard troops are not letting people leave the facility.0Web PageClick Here

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8/30/20058:30 AMMayor Nagin is able to convince Colonel Ebbert that the EOC must be moved from City Hall to the Hyatt Hotel. [T.E.*]NaginBookClick Here

FEMA
8/30/20058:53 AMMichael Brown sends email to Patrick Rhode, Altshuler, and Brooks about possible a Presidential visit to New Orleans. He also notes that he and Chertoff had spoken that morning.Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/30/20059:00 AMMichael Chertoff flies to Atlanta for a briefing on the Avian flu at the CDC.LiptonArticleClick Here

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8/30/20059:00 AMMarty Bahamonde goes to the Superdome and sees the deteriorating conditions and need for food and water. He tells Michael Brown of this when Brown visits later that day. [T.E.*]BahamondeTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/30/20059:00 AMGovernor Blanco, Michael Brown, and Senators Landrieu and Vitter tour Katrina's damage by helicopter. The Governor meets with Mayor Nagin and returns to Baton Rouge. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

--
8/30/20059:00 AMPhil Parr, Federal Coordinating Officer of DHS, helicopters into New Orleans. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/30/20059:30 AMCity administrative personnel leave the the city as directed by Mayor Nagin.NaginBookClick Here

FEMA
8/30/20059:33 AMKen Hills forwards a message from Michael Chertoff to DHS department heads asking DHS employees to "volunteer" for two-week Katrina recovery assignments. The message is forwarded to Michael Brown at 2:04 PM the same day.BrownEmailClick Here

FEMA-
8/30/200510:00 AMNWS Advisory 31 (final Katrina advisory) notes that Katrina is now a tropical depression and is still producing heavy rains. The storm is located near Clarksville, Tennessee.National Hurricane CWeb PageClick Here

Meteorology-
8/30/200510:17 AMWDSU reports that water is rising around Tulane Medical Center and that its emergency generator may be at risk of flooding.0Web PageClick Here

--
8/30/200510:20 AMWDSU reports that Twin Span Bridges are destroyed and that all bridges may be unsafe.0Web PageClick Here

--
8/30/200510:30 AMThe Acting Secretary of Defense orders U.S. Northern Command to move all necessary assets to the Gulf Coast, giving blanket authority for forces to provide security assistance.Committee on HomelandReportClick Here

Security-
8/30/200510:30 AMWDSU reports that New Orleans is under martial law. [This is false.]0Web PageClick Here

Rumors-
8/30/200510:30 AMMayor Nagin meets with Bahamonde and Brown of FEMA and Senators Landrieu and Vitter and Governor Blanco at the heliport near the Hyatt Hotel for helicopter tour of the city. Mayor Nagin, after describing the situation, gives each member of the group Nagin's action plan. [T.E.*]NaginBookClick Here

FEMA
8/30/200510:35 AMMayor Nagin tours the city by helicopter and sees that about 80% of the city is underwater. On his way back to his headquarters at the Hyatt, Nagin talks to some of the evacuees at the Superdome. [T.E.*]NaginBookClick Here

FEMA
8/30/200511:00 AMA Texas Air National Guard helicopter lands at the 17th Street Canal. The pilot and state official Mike Stack agree that sandbags might be able to plug the breach. The helicopters return and drop a few sandbags but the efforts are quickly abandoned.van HeerdenBookClick Here

EngineeringLevees
8/30/200511:00 AMMichael Brown, Governor Blanco, and Senators arrive at the Superdome. Mayor Nagin joins the group and informs them of the city's emergency needs.BahamondeTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/30/200511:04 AMPresident Bush speaks at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego to commemorate the 60th anniversary of V-J Day.BushTranscriptClick Here

--
8/30/200511:05 AMSecretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld is in San Diego and attends a V-J Day ceremony with President Bush.RumsfeldBookClick Here

--
8/30/200511:50 AMWDSU reports that President Bush is cutting short his vacation in order to address the recovery efforts for Hurricane Katrina.0Web PageClick Here

--
8/30/200512:00 PMThe Citizenship and Immigration Services begin a Katrina-rescue volunteer program among federal employees.Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/30/200512:00 PMMichael Brown asks for Department of Defense assistance with the recovery response. [T.E.*]BrownTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/30/20051:00 PMGovernor Blanco meets with Leonard Kleinpeter and other staff members and orders them to secure evacuation buses. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

--
8/30/20051:00 PMWDSU reports that the EPA is sending emergency workers to the Gulf to begin a clean up of oil and and gasoline in the city's floodwater.0Web PageClick Here

--
8/30/20051:06 PMKathleen Strottman (Senator Landrieu's office) sends email notifying Governor Blanco's office (and others) that hundreds of people need emergency evacuation from various New Orleans' area hospitals.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

HOTEvacuation
8/30/20051:30 PMA four-member Emergency Response Team arrives at the Superdome. [T.E.*]BahamondeTranscriptClick Here

HOT-
8/30/20052:00 PMMichael Chertoff visits FEMA HQ in Atlanta after a morning meeting on the Avian Flu. [T.E.*]McCaffreyArticleClick Here

--
8/30/20052:00 PMPeople continue to arrive at the Superdome as first responders bring them to higher ground. [T.E.*]BahamondeTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/30/20053:00 PMKim Hunter Reed, a member of Governor Blanco's staff, sets up a call center for emergency calls. The Governor orders that phone lines are to be answered around the clock. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

--
8/30/20053:00 PMVincent Pearce, of the U.S. Department of Transportation, arrives at the FEMA National Response Coordination Center. It is Pearce's responsibility to provide transportation for evacuees. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

Evacuation-
8/30/20053:00 PMThe first National Guard truck arrives at Memorial Hospital and evacuation of patients begins. Helicopters, flat bottom boats, National Guard trucks, and other craft will evacuate about 200 patients. [See also Berry, New York Times.] [T.E.*]FinkBookClick Here

Healthcare-
8/30/20054:00 PMU.S. Army Lieutenant General Russel Honoré is designated Commander of Joint Task Force Katrina. Superdome plumbing fails and conditions deteriorate due to massive crowds, lack of air conditioning, and sanitation. Chertoff declares Katrina an "incident of national significance" and designates Michael Brown as the Principal Federal Official to manage the response and recovery operations. [Exact times not determined.]Committee on HomelandReportClick Here

HOT-
8/30/20054:00 PMCoast Guard helicopters fly to abandoned supply trucks and retrieve MREs and water for the Superdome. [T.E.*]BahamondeTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/30/20054:00 PMGovernor Blanco makes a second visit to the Superdome to inspect conditions in New Orleans. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

--
8/30/20054:00 PMOfficer Kevin Thomas of NOPD, searching four men near a looting site, is shot in the head by one of the men. The shooting will influence the way police react during Hurricane Katrina. Officer Thomas, despite the seriousness of his injury, will recover from the shooting. [T.E.*]GreeneBookClick Here

Racial ViolenceRace
8/30/20054:00 PMWDSU reports that over 10,000 people have taken shelter at the Superdome where conditions have deteriorated.0Web PageClick Here

--
8/30/20054:35 PMWDSU reports that people are setting fires and continuing to loot.0Web PageClick Here

--
8/30/20054:45 PMWDSU reports that the Central Business District is flooding and that people are trying to exit the city on the Mississippi River Bridge.0Web PageClick Here

--
8/30/20055:00 PMBrig. General Mark Graham arrives in Baton Rouge. On orders of Lt. General Honoré, Graham takes over the evacuation of New Orleans.Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

Evacuation-
8/30/20055:00 PMWDSU reports that Charity Hospital is closed and surrounded by water. 300 people have been evacuated from the facility.0Web PageClick Here

Evacuation-
8/30/20056:00 PMGovernor Blanco calls General Landreneau after her return from an inspection of the Superdome. The Governor instructs the General to ask for 'all possible assistance" from the federal government. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

HOT-
8/30/20056:00 PMMichael Chertoff, after repeated failed attempts to reach Michael Brown during the day, tells Brown that he is spending too much time on VIP tours and Brown needs to better manage the government's response.Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

FEMAHOT
8/30/20056:00 PMPresident Bush, who cut his vacation short due to Katrina, arrives back at his ranch in Crawford, Texas. [T.E.*]RoveBookClick Here

--
8/30/20056:42 PMThe AP reports that over 100 people have died in one Mississippi county from Hurricane Katrina.0Web PageClick Here

--
8/30/20057:00 PMOn the Larry King show, there are reports of looting, rioting prisoners, and hostage taking at prisons. Governors Blanco and Barbour also appear on the show and King questions Blanco on the 17th Street Canal breach. Blanco notes they are trying to line up evacuation buses.KingVideoClick Here

Rumors-
8/30/20057:00 PMGeneral Landreneau reports to the Governor that he spoke to Lt. General Russel Honoré and relayed their request for additional assistance. Landreneau also reports that he spoke to Lt. General Blum re: additional National Guard assistance.Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

--
8/30/20057:00 PMBuses leave Gonzales, LA to evacuate storm victims. The buses will encounter residents on their way into the city and bring these people to safety. [T.E.*]BrinkleyBookClick Here

FEMA
8/30/20057:00 PMWDSU reports that water is expected to continue flooding the city due to the levee breaches.0Web PageClick Here

--
8/30/20057:45 PMThe AP reports that the U.S. Navy is sending four ships to the Gulf Coast to aid recovery efforts.0Web PageClick Here

--
8/30/20058:00 PMMayor Nagin receives a call from the Sewerage and Water Board that the power supply to the city's pumps is about to fail. [T.E.*]NaginBookClick Here

FEMA
8/30/20058:15 PMMayor Nagin says armed security personnel (from Blackwell) arrive at the Hyatt Hotel with plans to setup communications equipment in his hotel room. Nagin refuses their "help" and the group eventually leaves the hotel.NaginBookClick Here

FEMA
8/30/20058:22 PMKen Hill (FEMA) sends a cover email with a memo from Chertoff designating Katrina an "Incident of National Significance" and appointing Michael Brown as Principal Federal Official (PFO). [Memo is not attached.]Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

--
8/30/20058:30 PMMayor Nagin receives a call from a local businessman asking that private security companies be allowed to protect certain affluent areas of the city. Nagin refuses the request. [T.E.*]NaginBookClick Here

Security-
8/30/20058:47 PMThe AP reports that the National Guard is attempting to repair the levee breaches at the 17th Avenue canal.0Web PageClick Here

--
8/30/20059:00 PMMayor Nagin receives a call from President Bush. The Mayor details his need for repairs to the 17th Street Canal. The White House had been trying to reach Nagin for several hours before this call was completed.NaginBookClick Here

FEMA
8/30/20059:00 PMSecretary of State Condoleezza Rice calls Michael Chertoff offering assistance. Rice had participated in a Homeland Security meeting earlier in the day. Rice attends a Broadway play that evening. [T.E.*]RiceBookClick Here

--
8/30/200510:00 PMGovernor Blanco directs the Louisiana Dept. of Social Services to find shelter for at least 25,000 people by 6 A.M Wednesday. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandReportClick Here

--
8/30/200510:54 PMSharon Worthy sends email to Michael Brown commenting about Brown's "demotion" to Principal Federal Official. Michael Brown responds, "Exactly."BrownEmailClick Here

FEMA-
8/30/200511:00 PMA Coast Guard evacuation helicopter lands at Memorial Hospital but the pilots are told no more evacuations are needed. This was incorrect as over 130 patients and 52 critical care patients remained at the facility.FinkBookClick Here

HealthcareHOT
8/30/200512:00 PMPhil Parr and a FEMA team arrive in New Orleans and tour the city by helicopter. Parr finds that an advanced communications trailer had not arrived prior to the storm and flood waters would now prevent its transfer to the city.RosenthalBookClick Here

FEMACommunications
8/30/20058:00 AMNew Orleans Police Captain Stephen Gordon orders the evacuation of 120 911 operators at police headquarters. The operators are moved to the convention center but a temporary communications center cannot be set up.ConnollyArticleClick Here

InfrastructureRumors
8/31/200512:00 AMHHS Secretary Michael Levitt declares a public health emergency for Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, and Alabama. Governor Blanco issues an executive order to commandeer school buses. [Exact times not provided.]Committee on HomelandReportClick Here

--
8/31/200512:15 AMJohn Barsa emails Patrick Rhode and others about availability of land at LSU for a "tent city" and trailers. The email is forwarded to Michael Brown at 6:09 AM. Brown responds at 9:50 PMBrownEmailClick Here

FEMA-
8/31/200512:30 AMPearce of the U.S. DOT receives word from FEMA that his department will be tasked with providing 455 buses for the evacuation of the Superdome.Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

Evacuation-
8/31/20051:30 AMFEMA, for the first time, mission-assigns the Dept. of Transportation to send buses to New Orleans.Committee on HomelandReportClick Here

--
8/31/20051:45 AMDOT authorization is issued to procure 455 buses for evacuation.Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

Evacuation-
8/31/20051:47 AMDOD receives orders from FEMA for 500 buses. [Per Chairman Tom Davis at Michael Brown deposition of 2/11/2006.]BrownTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/31/20052:15 AMThe AP reports that Meadowcrest Hospital in Gretna is asking for help in evacuating patients after a supply truck was robbed Wednesday afternoon en route to the facility.0Web PageClick Here

EvacuationSecurity
8/31/20053:00 AMWDSU notes an AP report that President Bush will return early from his vacation at his Texas ranch to coordinate recovery efforts.0Web PageClick Here

--
8/31/20054:00 AMAfter a request on radio and TV by State Sen. Nick Gautreaux, over 300 people and boats arrive at Acadiana Mall in Lafayette to aid in rescue effortsHennessyWeb PageClick Here

RescueHOT
8/31/20054:30 AMPolice Chief Eddie Compass believes looters are about to attack the Hyatt Hotel where he and Mayor Nagin are staying. [He is mistaken.]BrinkleyBookClick Here

RumorsFEMA
8/31/20055:28 AMThe AP reports that the Red Cross has collected $21 million in donations for Katrina relief.0Web PageClick Here

--
8/31/20055:35 AMThe AP reports that buses full of New Orleans "refugees" have arrived at the Houston Astrodome.0Web PageClick Here

--
8/31/20055:43 AMWDSU notes that the AP reports that efforts to aid in Katrina recovery will be the biggest task in Red Cross history.0Web PageClick Here

--
8/31/20056:40 AMWDSU notes that the AP reports that Governor Blanco has called the plugging of failed levees an "engineering nightmare."0Web PageClick Here

--
8/31/20056:45 AMThe AP reports that President Bush believes there should be zero tolerance of looters. Bush told ABC that people need to take "personal responsibility" in order to keep the disaster from getting worse.0Web PageClick Here

--
8/31/20058:00 AMWest Jefferson Levee District employees arrive at the 17th Street Canal and begin attempts to fill the breaches.van HeerdenBookClick Here

EngineeringLevees
8/31/20058:00 AMAccording to Karl Rove, Governor Blanco calls the President but since the President in flight, she speaks to Homeland Security Advisor Fran Townsend. Blanco asks for "everything you've got" but Townsend is unable to understand the request. [T.E.*]RoveBookClick Here

--
8/31/20058:00 AMGovernor Blanco calls the White House to request more federal help. She is unable to reach anyone but later speaks to Maggie Grant in the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, presumably to leave a message. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

--
8/31/20058:03 AMFEMA employee Gary Jones sends email to Craig and Buikema about plans to send evacuees to Houston. Jones says the plan has not been finalized by Blanco and notes the tremendous expense for the State of Texas.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

--
8/31/20058:06 AMThe AP reports that evacuations from the Superdome have halted because conditions are too dangerous.0Web PageClick Here

EvacuationRumors
8/31/20058:30 AMGovernor Blanco calls Rick Perry of Texas and requests that the Houston Astrodome be used to house New Orleans evacuees.Committee on HomelandReportClick Here

Evacuation-
8/31/20058:37 AMWDSU notes that the AP reports that evacuation of the Superdome has begun.0Web PageClick Here

Evacuation-
8/31/20058:49 AMWDSU notes that the AP is reporting that looting is continuing and that one NOPD officer has been shot but is expected to recover. Terry Ebbert has told reporters that there are gangs of armed men "moving around the city."0Web PageClick Here

Rumors-
8/31/200510:00 AMLieutenant General Honoré meets with local, state, and federal officials to discuss evacuation at the Superdome. Later that day Honoré asks Governor Blanco to mobilize school buses for evacuation. [Time of meeting estimated.]Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

--
8/31/200510:00 AMHotels begin evicting guests since they have no power or other supplies. [Time is estimated.]BahamondeTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/31/200510:00 AMAndrew Card of the White House returns the Governor's call. The Governor asks for more buses for the evacuation. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

Evacuation-
8/31/200510:00 AMThe Governor learns that attempts to repair the 17th Street Canal breach have failed. She learns during the afternoon that crowds are starting to gather at the Convention Center. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

--
8/31/200510:07 AMWDSU notes that the AP has reported that the IRS has extended the filing deadlines to October 31 for those affected by Hurricane Katrina.0Web PageClick Here

--
8/31/200510:30 AMJabar Gibson, a West Bank resident, is able to find a working bus and drives it to the Fischer Housing Project. About 50 people are able to board the bus and Gibson drives them to the Astrodome. [Time estimated. See also Bryant at Chron.com]BrinkleyBookClick Here

Evacuation
8/31/200511:00 AMThe Chief of the federal National Guard Bureau directs all state Adjutants General to rapidly deploy available National Guard troops to Louisiana and Mississippi.Committee on HomelandReportClick Here

--
8/31/200511:00 AMIn a video teleconference with President Bush, Cheney, Card, Rumsfeld, Chertoff and others, Michael Brown tells the group that Nagin is a "crackhead" and Blanco is "out of her league." Brown also makes clear that this is a major crisis that needs their full attention. [T.E.*]BrownBookClick Here

HOT-
8/31/200511:05 AMPresidential aide Joe Hagin reaches out to Governors Barbour and Blanco about a presidential visit to the damaged areas but both governors believe it is too early for such a tour. Instead, Air Force One will fly over the Gulf Coast to inspect the damage. [T.E.*]BushBookClick Here

--
8/31/200511:20 AMMarty Bahamonde emails Michael Brown with a desperate message that the situation is "past critical." The message also says that hotels are kicking people out, thousands are gathering on the streets without food or water, and patients are dying at the DMAT tent. [Altered?]BrownEmailClick Here

HOT-
8/31/200511:30 AMOn his trip from Texas to the White House, President Bush's plane makes a low-level flight over Louisiana and Mississippi. A photo taken during the trip shows the President looking out the window of the plane. Some suggest Bush was unconcerned about those on the ground.BakerArticleClick Here

HOT-
8/31/200511:30 AMPresident Bush flies over the damaged Gulf Coast during his return to Washington. The President would later say he should have stopped in Baton Rouge to show his concern for the suffering caused by the storm.BushBookClick Here

--
8/31/200511:56 AMMichael Brown sends email to the FEMA Operations Center notifying them of cell phone voicemail delays.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

--
8/31/200512:00 PMMichael Brown learns from an email that people are gathering at the Convention Center after being evicted from downtown hotels. [This testimony "corrects" an earlier statement that he did not learn about the Convention Center until Thursday.]BrownVideoClick Here

--
8/31/200512:00 PMGeneral Landreneau and Lt. General Russel Honoré arrive at the Office of Emergency Preparedness. Governor Blanco asks Honoré to coordinate the evacuation. Honoré has not brought in federal troops so evacuation efforts remain the task of the National Guard. [ Time estimated.]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

Evacuation-
8/31/200512:00 PMDespite media reports on crowds gathering at the Convention Center, some DHS officials (Matthew Broderick) are unaware of the difference between the Convention Center and the Superdome.[T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

FEMAHOT
8/31/200512:00 PMMichael Brown learns about crowds gathering at the convention and orders supplies be delivered there. [Time estimated. This is from Congressional testimony that is contradicted by associated documentation.]Committee on EnvironTranscriptClick Here

LeveesArmy Corps
8/31/200512:00 PMThe U.S. Secret Service begins deploying personnel to the impacted areas. This group will implement the Continuity of Operations Plan of the HSD. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/31/200512:00 PMWhite House officials hold a press conference detailing their Katrina recovery efforts. Chertoff announces that an Incident of National Significance has occurred, the first ever use of this designation. [Time is CST.]0VideoClick Here

--
8/31/200512:24 PMMichael Brown responds to a "desperate" email of a subordinate with, "Thanks for the update. Anything specific I need to do or tweak?"MelanconReportClick Here

FEMAHOT
8/31/200512:27 PMWDSU reports that two hotels that hired buses to evacuate guests had their buses commandeered by federal officials for general evacuation of New Orleans' residents.0Web PageClick Here

Buses-
8/31/20051:00 PMU.S. DOT has a professional fleet manager on site to begin bus evacuations.Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

Evacuation-
8/31/20051:15 PMWDSU reports that more National Guard troops are being called into the city due to looting, carjackings, and other violence.0Web PageClick Here

RumorsSecurity
8/31/20051:15 PMWDSU notes that an AP report says that Mayor Nagin said at a press conference at the Hyatt Hotel that hundreds, if not thousands may have died from the storm. Nagin also believes that power won't be restored for two or three months and restaurants and commerce will shut down.0Web PageClick Here

Rumors-
8/31/20052:00 PMSharon Worthy, Press Secretary for Michael Brown, emails Cindy Taylor re: Michael Brown's need for adequate time to eat dinner in Baton Rouge. [Altered?]BrownEmailClick Here

HOT-
8/31/20052:00 PMGovernor Blanco places a second call to the White House and speaks to the President. She asks for additional buses and estimates that the state may need up to 40,000 troops. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

HOT-
8/31/20052:00 PMMichael Brown participates in a Presidential cabinet meeting. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
8/31/20052:24 PMWhen their requests to government agencies go unheeded, doctors at Charity and University Hospitals ask the AP to appeal to authorities for the rescue of patients and staff from their damaged facilities.0Web PageClick Here

HOTHealthcare
8/31/20052:30 PMGovernor Blanco and President Bush discuss by telephone the need for military assistance and the Governor's authority over the Louisiana National Guard in a unified-command structure.Committee on HomelandReportClick Here

--
8/31/20052:44 PMMarty Bahamonde emails Cindy Taylor about Michael Brown's need for adequate time for dinner. "Just tell her that I just ate an MRE and crapped in the hallway of the Superdome...so I understand her concern about busy restaurants." [Altered?]BrownEmailClick Here

HOT-
8/31/20053:00 PMBlanco issues Executive Order KBB 2005 31 - Emergency Evacuation By Buses. The Order gives the State the authority to commandeer buses for emergency evacuation. {Time estimated. See The Role of Governors.]Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

Evacuation-
8/31/20053:00 PMState efforts to commandeer buses begin and over 800 bus evacuation trips will be made on this day, all without the aid of FEMA-provided buses.Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

Evacuation-
8/31/20053:00 PMMayor Nagin hears rumors that National Guard troops may be overpowered by Superdome "conspirators." Nagin believes the group, after taking control of the Superdome, could gain access to the Mayor's headquarters in the Hyatt Hotel. [T.E.*]NaginBookClick Here

RumorsSecurity
8/31/20053:09 PMWDSU notes an AP report President Bush will release oil from the nation's strategic reserves.0Web PageClick Here

--
8/31/20053:15 PMShortly after hearing about an attempted "coup" at the Superdome, a gunshot is heard and Mayor Nagin and his group (including Chief Compass) run up to the 27th floor of the Hyatt. [T.E.*]NaginBookClick Here

RumorsHOT
8/31/20053:30 PMThe AP reports that the Army Corps of Engineers believes that some of the levee breaches will be repaired by the end of the day. The AP also reports that the Corps still cannot gain access to the breach at the Industrial Canal.0Web PageClick Here

LeveesACE
8/31/20054:00 PMMayor Nagin tells the media that police will shift their focus from search and rescue to law enforcement in order to stop looting. [T.E.*]NaginBookClick Here

SecurityHOT
8/31/20054:11 PMPresident Bush holds a Cabinet meeting at the White House and outlines federal relief efforts.Committee on HomelandReportClick Here

--
8/31/20054:11 PMAfter a Cabinet meeting, President Bush speaks to the press and discusses the federal government's response to the storm. [ See also Bush Archives: https://tinyurl.com/5eyspfu9%5DBushBookClick Here

--
8/31/20054:11 PMAfter a low-level flyover of the Katrina-damaged coast by Air Force One, the President issues a press release detailing expected federal recovery efforts. [EST time.]0Press ReleaseClick Here

--
8/31/20054:37 PMWDSU notes that the AP reports that President Bush is warning of disruptions to the nation's gasoline supply because of Hurricane Katrina.0Web PageClick Here

--
8/31/20055:00 PMGovernor Blanco does a fly-over of New Orleans and sees crowds gathering on the city's cloverleaf (I 610). She directs that state buses be sent to help these victims. [ Time estimated.]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

Evacuation-
8/31/20055:15 PMGeneral Honore arrives at the heliport near the Hyatt Hotel where he meets with Mayor Nagin and FEMA officials. [T.E.*]NaginBookClick Here

FEMA
8/31/20055:25 PMFEMA tasks the U.S. DOT to provide buses and "command and control for all evacuations in the New Orleans area and lower LA affected parishes."Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

Evacuation-
8/31/20055:53 PMWDSU notes an AP report that ten thousand more National Guard troops are headed to the Gulf Coast.0Web PageClick Here

Security-
8/31/20056:00 PMSome federally contracted buses arrive in New Orleans and begin evacuation of overpasses and special-needs shelters. [Exact time not provided.]Committee on HomelandReportClick Here

Evacuation-
8/31/20056:00 PMMichael Brown telephones Governor Blanco and urges her to reestablish law and order in New Orleans.[T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

Security-
8/31/20056:00 PMWDSU reports that there have been no escapes from Orleans Parish Prison and that over 1,000 inmates have been moved to other facilities.0Web PageClick Here

RumorsSecurity
8/31/20056:00 PMMayor Nagin calls Governor Blanco to ask for resources for the Superdome and Convention Center. Nagin believes the Governor was noncommittal.NaginBookClick Here

FEMA
8/31/20057:00 PMChris Lawrence, a CNN correspondent reports on crowds gathering at the Convention Center. The report also discusses looting, flooding, power, and communications failures.CooperTranscriptClick Here

Security-
8/31/20057:00 PMIn an interview with NPR, Michael Chertoff says that he has not heard that people are stranded at the Convention Center.[T.E.*]GuraAudioClick Here

HOT-
8/31/20057:00 PMMayor Nagin orders the Police Department to concentrate on looters rather than search and rescue. He also said the death toll from the storm might be might be in the thousands.McFaddenArticleClick Here

RumorsSecurity
8/31/20058:15 PMThe AP reports that Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert of Illinois says rebuilding New Orleans doesn't make sense since the city is 7 feet under sea level.0Web PageClick Here

--
8/31/20059:55 PMBarry West sends email to Michael Brown about fixing email problems.BrownEmailClick Here

FEMA-
8/31/200511:36 PMMiles Bruder (State of Louisiana) sends an email to staff re: responding to calls offering bus services for rescue efforts. The email notes that bus providers must secure law enforcement personnel to accompany the buses.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

Evacuation-
8/31/200511:45 PMGovernor Blanco learns that FEMA buses are still at least 7 hours away from New Orleans. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

Evacuation-
8/31/200511:52 PMWDSU notes that the AP reports that Texas schools will allow the enrollment of children of "refugees."0Web PageClick Here

--
9/1/200512:00 AMThe U.S. DOT secures 200 buses that have arrived at a staging site. Another 200 buses are en route.Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

Evacuation-
9/1/200512:00 AMAmerican Airlines flies food, water and other supplies to New Orleans and then begins evacuating flood victims. [T.E.*]BrinkleyBookClick Here

FEMA
9/1/20056:00 AMWater in the Orleans Metro Bowl reaches equilibrium with Lake Pontchartrain at 3 feet above sea level.van HeerdenBookClick Here

EngineeringLevees
9/1/20056:00 AMDiane Sawyer interviews President Bush on Good Morning America. President Bush states, "I don't think anybody anticipated the breach of the levees." [Interview 7:00 pm EST.]BushTranscriptClick Here

Levees-
9/1/20056:00 AMPresident Bush appears on Good Morning America with Diane Sawyer.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/1/20056:38 AMPresident Bush talks with Michael Brown of FEMA.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/1/20057:02 AMSecretary State Condoleezza Rice participates in a Katrina briefing with the President and other federal officials. Rice meets with President Bush after the meeting and advises the President to visit Houston (so as not to interfere with recovery efforts) and to reach out to African American leaders.RiceBookClick Here

--
9/1/20058:00 AMThe National Guard tells FEMA that there is intelligence that a riot might occur at the Superdome at approximately noon. [T.E.*]BahamondeTranscriptClick Here

Rumors-
9/1/20058:00 AMVice President Cheney, after participating in a video teleconference the day before, returns to Washington, D.C. [T.E.*]CheneyBookClick Here

--
9/1/20059:00 AMMichael Chertoff learns there are about 1,500 people gathered at the Convention Center.[T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
9/1/20059:00 AMBecause of communications problems, Mayor Nagin sends an "SOS" press release to news organizations via his Blackberry asking for supplies for the Convention Center and for buses.NaginBookClick Here

HOTInfrastructure
9/1/20059:31 AMMarty Bahamonde emails Tony Robinson that DMAT and FEMA have evacuated the Superdome due to safety concerns. [Altered?]BrownEmailClick Here

RumorsSecurity
9/1/200510:00 AMBus evacuation of the general population begins at the Superdome.Committee on HomelandReportClick Here

--
9/1/200510:00 AMGovernor Blanco issues Executive Order KBB 2005-24 allowing hotel room occupants to remain in their rooms at the same terms as prior to the storm. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

--
9/1/200510:00 AMBuses arrive for evacuation of the Superdome, according to Brig. General Graham. He states that 15,000 people are transported out of the city by the end of the day. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

Evacuation-
9/1/200510:00 AMDr. Norman McSwain, chief of trauma surgery at Charity Hospital, calls the AP asking for help at the damaged hospital. McSwain tells the AP that food has run out, and there is little water. In addition, power is out and patients have been moved to higher floors due to looting. [T.E.*]MarchioneArticleClick Here

MedicalRumors
9/1/200510:00 AMMayor Nagin believes FEMA personnel are preparing to leave the city and move their operations to Baton Rouge. [T.E.*]NaginBookClick Here

FEMA
9/1/200510:00 AMAfter a morning shopping trip, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice sees news reports and speaks to President Bush. She decides to return to Washington. [T.E.*]RiceBookClick Here

--
9/1/200510:03 AMMarty Bahamonde emails Michael Brown that FEMA has evacuated the Superdome. [Altered?]BrownEmailClick Here

FEMA-
9/1/200510:30 AMAll FEMA personnel are withdrawn from the Superdome based on "intelligence" that a riot might occur that day. [T.E.*]BahamondeTranscriptClick Here

RumorsSecurity
9/1/200511:00 AMGovernor Blanco writes the Housing and Urban Development Secretary about the anticipated need for immediate and long-term housing needs of evacuees. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

Housing-
9/1/200511:00 AMEvacuation of Memorial Hospital patients and staff resumes. Rumors circulate that the police will leave the facility by 5:00 PM due to civil unrest.FinkBookClick Here

HealthcareSecurity
9/1/200511:30 AMMayor Nagin returns to the Hyatt after a helicopter inspection of the city. He then meets with Police Chief Compass. Compass says he escaped being kidnapped at the Convention Center. Nagin believes Compass is over stressed. [T.E.*]NaginBookClick Here

RumorsPolice
9/1/200512:00 PMMichael Chertoff is concerned about security issues in New Orleans and speaks to General Blum and others throughout the day about this issue. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

Security-
9/1/200512:00 PMMayor Nagin says that he asks General Honore to approach people at the Convention Center about leading a march out of New Orleans to buses in Gretna. Nagin says the group was stopped by police on the Gretna side of the bridge. [This allegation needs independent verification.] [T.E.*]NaginBookClick Here

FEMA
9/1/20051:03 PMFEMA personnel exchange email re: General Honoré's need for Michael Brown's satellite phone number.BrownEmailClick Here

FEMA-
9/1/20051:14 PMPresident Bush participates in a economic policy meeting with Grant, Connor, Kimmitt, and Rapuano to discuss the impact of Katrina.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/1/20051:20 PMBus evacuation of the general population begins at Superdome.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

Evacuation-
9/1/20051:20 PMFEMA employees exchange emails on the progress of bus evacuation. The emails report that 3,500 people have been evacuated from the Superdome. The prior night evacuation was stopped due to darkness and "shooting."Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

Evacuation-
9/1/20051:30 PMMarty Bahamonde, who was withdrawn from the Superdome, arrives at the state EOC in Baton Rouge and meets Michael Brown. Bahamonde expresses his view that FEMA's withdrawal from the Superdome was a mistake. Brown tells him to return to New Orleans but he does not. [T.E.*]BahamondeTranscriptClick Here

FEMAHOT
9/1/20052:00 PMDr. Anna Pou writes prescriptions for morphine for three critically ill patients at Memorial Hospital. [T.E.*]FinkBookClick Here

Healthcare-
9/1/20052:00 PMA group of 400 to 600 hundred people are told there are buses "over the bridge" to evacuate Katrina victims. The group attempts to cross the Crescent City Connection (bridge) into Gretna but are turned back with gunfire from law enforcement personnel. [T.E.*]0ArticleClick Here

PoliceRace
9/1/20052:00 PMMayor Nagin spends much of the afternoon at the Hyatt Hotel, worried about his personal safety and listening to WWL radio. Later that day he will be interviewed on air by Garland Robinette on WWL.BrinkleyBookClick Here

FEMA
9/1/20052:03 PMPresident Bush meets with former Presidents Bush and Clinton to discuss the response to Hurricane Katrina.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/1/20052:45 PMPresident Bush, with former President Bush and Clinton, address the press about the federal government's response to Hurricane Katrina.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/1/20053:00 PMDr. Ewing Cook instructs Dr. Anna Pou about a morphine and benzodiazepine combination that could be administered to patients. [T.E.*]FinkBookClick Here

Healthcare-
9/1/20053:00 PMMichael Chertoff decides he must personally act to secure buses for evacuation. He effectively takes this task away from Michael Brown. [Time not disclosed.]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

EvacuationHOT
9/1/20053:54 PMPresident Bush conducts a conference call with Bicameral and Bipartisan Congressional leadership on Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/1/20054:00 PMMichael Chertoff talks to Robert Siegel on NPR and defends FEMA's response to the crisis. Chertoff seems to confuse the Convention Center and the Superdome. [T.E.*]GuraAudioClick Here

HOTConvention Center
9/1/20054:30 PMAfter seeming to confuse the Convention Center and the Superdome, Michael Chertoff calls General Honore about the situation there. Rove says Chertoff was told of barbecuing in the parking lot and only 1,500 people are stranded there. According to Rove, Chertoff ordered further investigation and found that thousands were stranded there. [T.E.*]RoveBookClick Here

HOT-
9/1/20054:32 PMPresident Bush talks with Michael Chertoff.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/1/20054:38 PMJonann Chiles [employment not known] reports that hostages have been taken at Tulane Hospital in order to get drugs. The message is received by FEMA (William Lokey, among others). The message is supposed to be passed to DOD Security.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

HOTRumors
9/1/20054:47 PMin an email, Roger Carsten (Department of Defense) outlines the procedures for FEMA to request assistance from the DOD. [TIme stamped at 5:47PM, EST?)Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

--
9/1/20055:00 PMDr. Anna Pou and Karen Wynn (ICU Nurse Manager) request boxes of IV catheters. Pou later asks for assistance as she begins an IV on a critically ill patient. A total of eight to ten patients would subsequently receive IVs. A later forensic consultant's report would show that that 23 corpses had elevated levels of morphine and other drugs. [Time not reported.]FinkBookClick Here

HealthcareHOT
9/1/20055:00 PMAfter hearing what he believes are erroneous media reports on the radio, Mayor Nagin decides he needs to correct some of the statements by other public officials. He calls into WWL radio (Garland Robinette) and is eventually interviewed on-air. [T.E.*]NaginBookClick Here

FEMA
9/1/20055:00 PMMayor Nagin appears on WWL AM radio with Garland Robinette. Nagin is exasperated with the government's response. Nagin says, "And they don't have a clue what's going on down here. They flew down here one time two days after the doggone event was over with... all kind of goddamn -- excuse my French everybody in America, but I am pissed." [T.E.*]NaginTranscriptClick Here

HOT-
9/1/20056:00 PMColonel Terry Ebbert, New Orleans Director of Homeland Security and Public Safety, requests assistance from the Louisiana National Guard commander Bennett Landreneau to secure and evacuate the Convention Center in conjunction with the NOPD.Committee on HomelandReportClick Here

--
9/1/20056:00 PMIn an evening news conference, Governor Blanco warns looters that troops are coming and, "They have M16s, and they're locked and loaded ... I have one message for these hoodlums: These troops know how to shoot and kill, and they are more than willing to do so if necessary, and I expect they will." See also When The Levees Broke.0ArticleClick Here

HOTSecurity
9/1/20056:00 PMABC NewsOnline says Governor Blanco has warned looters that the National Guard has arrived. The Governor says they know how to "shoot to kill" if necessary. [T.E.*]0ArticleClick Here

SecurityRumors
9/1/20057:00 PMGovernor Blanco meets with General Blum and General Landreneau. They discuss the role of the National Guard and their desire for federal troops to perform other duties. General Blum advises against allowing the federalization of the Guard due to the Posse Comitatus Act. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

--
9/1/20057:00 PMMichael Chertoff begins to question himself as to whether Michael Brown is up to the task of managing Katrina recovery efforts. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

FEMAHOT
9/1/20057:00 PMFEMA places its first order for food and water delivery to the Convention Center.Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

FEMAHOT
9/1/20057:16 PMPatrick Rohde and Michael Brown exchange emails concerning personnel matters and the need to keep sending commodities to the Superdome and Convention Center.BrownEmailClick Here

FEMA-
9/1/20057:40 PMPresident Bush talks with Michael Chertoff.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/1/20058:00 PMGovernor Blanco decides to hire James Witt as the state's point person with FEMA. Witt will arrive the next night to begin work. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

--
9/1/20058:19 PMRich Rowe (DOD) sends an email to NORAD, Honoré, and others detailing security concerns at Louis Armstrong Airport. "Concern is several hundred displaced people vic the airport to include a number of 'thugs'a cting in gangs." [Sic]Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

SecurityRumors
9/1/20059:31 PMMichael Brown and Brooks Altshuler exchange emails about press relations. Brown says he told him [likely Chertoff] that his phone calls were "killing me."Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

HOT-
9/1/200510:56 PMFEMA officials exchange emails about commodity shortfalls (water, MREs, etc.). The emails reflect frustration and puzzlement as to reason for the delays.BrownEmailClick Here

LeveesFEMA
9/2/200512:00 AMAlabama Governor Bob Riley asks the Secretary of Defense to place National Guard troops on active-duty status.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

--
9/2/200512:00 AMBlanco issues Executive Order KBB 2005 25 - Emergency Evacuation By Buses. The order supersedes a previous Order giving the Governor the authority to commandeer buses for emergency evacuation. The updated order requires local officials to provide law enforcement personnel to accompany the buses.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

Evacuation-
9/2/200512:00 AMGovernor Haley Barbour writes to the Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld asking him to approve 180 days of military duty for soldiers and airmen serving in support of Katrina relief efforts.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

--
9/2/200512:00 AMMichael Moore "sends" a satirical letter to President Bush asking when the U.S. government will send adequate resources to begin Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.MooreWeb PageClick Here

--
9/2/20057:01 AMPresident Bush participates in a briefing on Hurricane Katrina with Rice, Rumsfeld, Chertoff, Brown, Honore, Stock, and others.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/2/20057:01 AMPresident Bush, on a video conference call with the response team, tells them that "I know y'all are trying as hard as you can, but it ain't cuttin' it...I wanna know why. We gotta do better." [See also Bush, p 321.]RoveBookClick Here

--
9/2/20058:26 AMPresident Bush tapes a radio address to the nation on Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. The address is planned to air on September 3, 2005.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/2/20058:34 AMPresident Bush speaks to Michael Chertoff.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/2/20058:37 AMMichael Brown emails a friend with a hint that he had been planning to leave DHS around Labor Day.BrownEmailClick Here

HOT-
9/2/20058:42 AMThe President has a two minute phone call with Michael Chertoff.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/2/20059:00 AMPresident Bush arrives in New Orleans aboard Air Force One. He meets with Governor Blanco, Mayor Nagin, Chertoff, and Congressional Representatives.Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

--
9/2/20059:02 AMPresident Bush, accompanied by Chertoff, makes a statement to member of the press concerning Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/2/20059:12 AMPresident Bush departs the White House to tour the Gulf South and meet with regional leaders.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/2/200510:00 AMGovernor Blanco submits a written request to President Bush asking for the return of overseas National Guard troops. She also asks for a wide range of items for recovery efforts. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

--
9/2/200510:00 AMAir shipment of MREs are made to the Superdome and Convention Center by the U.S. Navy. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
9/2/200510:00 AMHenry Glover, a resident of Algiers, is shot by police near a strip mall. A friend brings the injured Glover to Habans Elementary School where he believes he can find medical attention. Instead the friend is beaten by police. Glover's body is later found in a burned out car. The officer who shot Glover is eventually acquitted of murder but another officer is sentenced to 17 years in jail for the coverup. [T.E.*]ThompsonTranscriptClick Here

PoliceRacial Violence
9/2/200510:07 AMKen Burris of FEMA writes Michael Brown and others about a "Secretary to Secretary" request for DOD to assist the DHS.BrownEmailClick Here

FEMA-
9/2/200510:15 AMPresident Bush arrives at Mobile, Alabama to meet with Governors Riley and Barbour, Michael Brown, and others to review recovery efforts.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/2/200510:30 AMGovernor Blanco issues KB 2005-26 that allows doctors licensed in other states to provide medical care in Louisiana. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

--
9/2/200510:30 AMPrior to President Bush's press conference, Governor Riley says "FEMA has absolutely been great." Governor Barbour says, "The federal government is great..." President Bush, later in this press conference would say Michael Brown has been doing a "heck of a job."RoveBookClick Here

HOT-
9/2/200510:35 AMPresident George Bush meets with Governor Bob Riley and rescue personnel. The President then makes remarks at a press briefing about recovery efforts, delays, and clean-up costs. He remarks "Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job." [Time is estimate, perhaps EST.]BushVideoClick Here

FEMAHOT
9/2/200510:35 AMPresident Bush makes remarks to the press concerning his meetings with various government officials.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/2/200510:35 AMThe Congressional Black Caucus and civil rights leaders appear at the National Press Club to discuss Hurricane Katrina relief efforts and demand an improved response. [Eastern Time.]0VideoClick Here

Race-
9/2/200510:45 AMPresident Bush takes an aerial tour of Alabama and Mississippi en route to Biloxi, Mississippi.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/2/200511:46 AMPresident Bush takes a walking tour of a Biloxi neighborhood damaged by Hurricane Katrina.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/2/200512:00 PMNational Guard troops (numbering 1,000) deploy to the Convention Center to secure the facility.Committee on HomelandReportClick Here

Security-
9/2/200512:00 PMGovernor Blanco announces the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation will handle contributions for recovery efforts that are coming to the state from around the globe. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

--
9/2/200512:00 PMMichael Brown meets with Jesse Jackson and members of the Congressional Black Caucus to discuss relief efforts. [T.E.}BrownBookClick Here

Race-
9/2/200512:00 PMThe USNS Comfort medical ship leaves Boston to aid Katrina victims. {Time unknown.]BirchArticleClick Here

--
9/2/200512:15 PMPresident Bush makes remarks to the press after his walking tour of Biloxi.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/2/20051:00 PMDr. Sanjay Gupta of CNN reports on the conditions at Charity Hospital and how it coped with Katrina. [T.E.*]GuptaVideoClick Here

Healthcare-
9/2/20051:10 PMPresident Bush leaves Mississippi for Louis Armstrong Airport.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/2/20051:55 PMPresident Bush arrives at Armstrong Airport by helicopter and meets with Governor Blanco, Senators Landrieu and Vitter, Mayor Nagin, and Reps. Jindal and Jefferson.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/2/20051:58 PMPresident Bush boards Air Force One after a helicopter shuttle to New Orleans.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/2/20052:00 PMPresident Bush, after meeting with local officials, has a private discussion with Governor Blanco regarding the command structure of troops in New Orleans. Despite her misgivings, Governor Blanco says she will review the President's proposal. [T.E. See also Bush, p. 322]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

--
9/2/20052:00 PMNOPD Officer Lawrence Celestine commits suicide while on duty with his partner Larenzo Carter. Celestine and his partner were at the Little Sisters of the Poor in Algiers when Celestine took his own life. [T.E.*]0ArticleClick Here

Police-
9/2/20052:00 PMPresident Bush participates in a briefing with local officials including Blanco, Landrieu, Nagin, Chertoff, Brown, Rove, and others aboard Air Force One.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/2/20052:00 PMAccording to Karl Rove, at a meeting with President Bush on Air Force One, Mayor Nagin and Governor Blanco are "shell-shocked, scattered, and without a clue..." They provide little useful information to the President, according to Rove.RoveBookClick Here

--
9/2/20052:01 PMMichael Brown explains to the President and others aboard Air Force One the difficulties he has faced with local officials. According to Brown, he recommends that the President nationalize the National Guard despite the Posse Comitatus Act.BrownBookClick Here

Security-
9/2/20052:15 PMDuring a meeting with President Bush aboard Air Force One, Governor Blanco states that law enforcement is the job of the city while Mayor Nagin takes the opposing position.RoveBookClick Here

Security-
9/2/20052:15 PMPresident Bush asks Mayor Nagin and Governor Blanco who is in charge of of security in New Orleans. They both claim the other is responsible.BushBookClick Here

Security-
9/2/20052:16 PMAboard Air Force One, President Bush, Governor Blanco, Mayor Nagin, Senator Landrieu and others argue over relief efforts. President Bush asks Senator Landrieu to be quiet because of her emotional outbursts.BushBookClick Here

Women-
9/2/20052:30 PMPresident Bush meets separately with Governor Blanco and Mr. Hagin aboard Air Force One.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/2/20052:30 PMA sizeable number of military personnel and buses arrive at the Superdome. [T.E.*]NaginBookClick Here

FEMA
9/2/20052:31 PMPresident Bush asks Governor Blanco in a private meeting to authorize the federal government to take charge of relief efforts. The Governor refuses to give the President her answer.BushBookClick Here

--
9/2/20052:31 PMAccording to Karl Rove, at a breakout session with Governor Blanco aboard Air Force One, President Bush offers to federalize the National Guard and share a command structure with the Governor. Blanco asks for 24 hours to consider the proposal.RoveBookClick Here

--
9/2/20052:59 PMPresident Bush meets with Mayor Nagin, Lt. Gen. Blum, and Mr. Hagin aboard Air Force One to discuss relief efforts.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/2/20053:00 PMGeneral Landreneau informs the Governor that conditions are improving at the Convention Center and the Superdome. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

--
9/2/20053:15 PMPresident Bush meets with Chertoff, Hadley, and Hagin aboard Air Force One.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/2/20053:20 PMPresident Bush returns to his office aboard Air Force One to have further discussions with Mayor Nagin.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/2/20053:20 PMMayor Ray Nagin, aboard Air Force One, meets with President Bush after his talk with Governor Blanco. The President tells Nagin that the Governor wants 24 hours to consider his proposal to federalize the National Guard.NaginBookClick Here

FEMA
9/2/20053:20 PMPresident Bush meets privately with Mayor Nagin who apologizes for an emotional outburst on a radio program the previous evening.BushBookClick Here

--
9/2/20053:32 PMPresident Bush leaves Louis Armstrong Airport by helicopter to tour New Orleans.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/2/20053:42 PMTod Wells (FEMA) and Christy McCampbell exchange emails regarding authorizations for law enforcement assistance. "The Sheriff's cannot get an okay because...there has been no request from La. EOC for assistance."Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

--
9/2/20053:50 PMPresident Bush takes a walking tour of New Orleans to inspect storm damage.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/2/20054:40 PMPresident Bush returns to Louis Armstrong Airport for his return flight to Washington, D.C.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/2/20055:01 PMPresident Bush makes a statement to the press before leaving New Orleans.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/2/20055:57 PMMichael Brown receives an offer of medical equipment. Brown would not respond until 9/6/2005.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

--
9/2/20056:05 PMSecretary State Condoleezza Rice gives an "On-The-Record Briefing" in regard to the impact of Katrina. She also addresses the slow response of the federal government.RicePress ReleaseClick Here

RecoveryGovernment
9/2/20056:15 PMFEMA requests that DOD provide "planning and execution" for distribution of food, water, ice, and medical supplies in Louisiana and Mississippi.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

--
9/2/20057:00 PMA "Concert for Hurricane Relief" is aired on NBC. Hosted by Matt Lauer, stars included Harry Connick, Jr., Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Wynton Marsalis, Leonardo DiCaprio, and others.0Press ReleaseClick Here

--
9/2/20057:41 PMPaul McHale sends an email to Michael Jackson (Deputy Secretary to Michael Chertoff) about imminent approval of logistics support to quell the security threat posed by displaced people and gangs at Louis Armstrong AirportSelect Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

--
9/2/20058:00 PMAfter returning to the White House after a tour of the Gulf Coast, President Bush hears a proposal by Andy Card and Harriet Miers. They propose that a three-star general command troops in Louisiana with a dual command structure shared by the President and the Governor.BushBookClick Here

--
9/2/20058:37 PMMichael Chertoff calls President Bush after the President's tour of New Orleans. The call is taken by a member of the President's staff.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/2/20058:40 PMThe President signs H.R. 3645, the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act to Meet Immediate Needs Arising from the Consequences of Hurricane Katrina, 2005.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/2/200510:00 PMBrig. General Graham testifies that the Convention center is secured by this date, and about 1,000 people have been evacuated by the end of the day. Total evacuations from the city to this date total 47,000. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

Evacuation-
9/2/200510:22 PMMichael Brown writes FEMA staff warning them that commercial air carriers will withdraw planes if they are not used soon by FEMA for evacuation. Michael Lowder responds, "This is flat wrong. We have been flying planes all afternoon and evening."BrownEmailClick Here

FEMA-
9/2/200511:00 PMGovernor Blanco receives a call from General Blum to discuss federalization of the National Guard. The Governor is asked to agree to a memorandum of understanding giving the federal government control of the troops.Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

--
9/2/200511:20 PMThe White House faxes a proposal to Governor Blanco under which a dual-status commander would exercise command and control of National Guard troops on behalf of the Governor and President.Committee on HomelandReportClick Here

--
9/2/200511:30 PMOn behalf of the President, Andrew Card and General Blum again call Governor Blanco and urge her to sign a memorandum of understanding about federalization of the National Guard. Governor Blanco wants additional time to decide.Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

--
9/3/200512:00 AMGovernor Blanco faxes President Bush thanking him for his visit. Blanco asks that the Federal Coordinating Officer at FEMA be moved to the Louisiana Homeland Security office.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

--
9/3/200512:00 AMThe DOD issues a Processing Form for support of FEMA in Katrina relief efforts. The Form specifies supplying 51,000 MREs, a Public Information Officer, and logistical support.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

--
9/3/200512:00 AMGovernor Blanco officially asks Alberto Gonzales of the U.S. Department of Justice to authorize law enforcement assistance in Louisiana.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

--
9/3/200512:00 AMGovernor Barbour officially requests via facsimile that Alberto Gonzales of the U.S. Department of Justice authorize law enforcement assistance in Mississippi.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

--
9/3/200512:00 AMPer Order No. 2778-2005: U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales authorizes law enforcement assistance to the State of Mississippi pursuant to a letter from Governor Barbour dated 9/3/2005.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

--
9/3/200512:00 AMA significant number of active-duty troops arrive in Louisiana according to Col. Perry Jeff Smith. Smith believes the Cloverleaf, Superdome, and Convention Center has already been evacuated.Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

--
9/3/200512:00 AMVice President Cheney receives a call from Andy Card of the White House inquiring whether the Vice President would be interested in heading a Hurricane Katrina relief task force. Cheney says he would only be interested if he had complete authority over relief efforts. [No such task force was created. The exact date and time of this call was not reported.]CheneyBookClick Here

--
9/3/20051:00 AMNear the Convention Center, evacuee Danny Brumfield is involved in an incident with NOPD Officers Ronald Mitchell and Ray Jones. Brumfield is struck by the officers' car and is subsequently killed by a shotgun blast fired by Mitchell. The officers are not charged with murder, but Mitchell is convicted of lying during a civil trial deposition. Officer Jones is acquitted of obstruction. [T.E.*]BrinkleyBookClick Here

Racial ViolencePolice
9/3/20051:06 AMMarty Bahamonde emails Cindy Taylor about the desperate situation in New Orleans. "The leadership from top down in our agency is unprepared and out of touch." Bahamonde notes how others are clueless as to conditions in New Orleans and that children and babies need help. [Altered?]BrownEmailClick Here

FEMAHOT
9/3/20056:00 AMPublic Information Officer Paul Accardo commits suicide sometime this morning. Officer Accardo had recently separated from his wife and had worked tirelessly after the storm hit. [T.E.*]O'BrienWeb PageClick Here

PoliceHOT
9/3/20058:00 AMMichael Chertoff, after visiting Louisiana on Friday, decides he needs to remove and replace Michael Brown.[T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

FEMAHOT
9/3/20058:00 AMMayor Nagin meets with civic leader Ron Foreman to discuss long-term recovery plans for the city.NaginBookClick Here

FEMA
9/3/20058:35 AMThe President attends a briefing on Hurricane Katrina. Among those on the briefing were Cheney, Chertoff, Card, and McHale.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/3/20058:50 AMChief of Staff Andy Card calls Governor Blanco and tells her that the President will announce his decision on troop command during his weekly radio address. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

--
9/3/20058:56 AMGovernor Blanco declines the White House proposal to appoint a dual-status commander and retains sole command of National Guard Troops in Louisiana.Committee on HomelandReportClick Here

HOT-
9/3/20059:00 AMPresident Bush, in his weekly radio address, announces that federal troops will deploy to the Gulf Coast in conjunction with the National Guard. He does this despite the fact that the troops will have no law enforcement powers. General Russel Honore will command those troops. [T.E.*. See also Bush, p. 323]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

HOT-
9/3/20059:00 AMPresident Bush orders 7,200 active-duty troops to the Gulf Coast.Committee on HomelandReportClick Here

--
9/3/20059:01 AMMayor Nagin encounters General Honore at the Hyatt and the two discuss recovery progress.NaginBookClick Here

FEMA
9/3/20059:47 AMPresident Bush meets with Chertoff, Rove, Card, and others.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/3/200510:00 AMConvention Center evacuations begin.Committee on HomelandReportClick Here

HOTEvacuation
9/3/200510:06 AMPresident Bush makes a radio address to the nation concerning the federal government's response to Hurricane Katrina.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/3/200510:32 AMScott Wells of FEMA sends emails reporting "over 100 bodies in the superdome" and 200 homicides between the Convention Center and the Superdome.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

RumorsHOT
9/3/200511:00 AMDuring his daily helicopter tour, Mayor Nagin sees progress in the plugging of the 17th Street Canal. [T.E.*]NaginBookClick Here

FEMA
9/3/200512:00 PMGovernor Blanco holds a press conference and discusses her request to President Bush for more federal assistance.Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

--
9/3/20051:00 PMThe Superdome evacuation is complete.Committee on HomelandReportClick Here

Evacuation-
9/3/20051:08 PMIn an email, Michael Brown writes, "I just feel like I'm getting the s--t beat out of me" in response the "Brownie" reference and Bush comment on 9/2/2005.BrownEmailClick Here

LeveesFEMA
9/3/20052:00 PMMichael Brown and FBI director Bob Mueller meet with police chief Eddie Compass in Baton Rouge. Brown believes a third of the NOPD is not reporting to work and pledges financial help to the city for overtime costs. Compass is offered additional police officers but Brown refuses to consider funds for NOPD plans to send officers to Las Vegas for "R&R."BrownBookClick Here

Police-
9/3/20053:00 PMThe evacuation of the Convention Center is completed.BrinkleyBookClick Here

FEMA
9/3/20053:00 PMAfter learning of the suicides of two New Orleans' police officers, Mayor Nagin orders Chief Compass to identify officers showing signs of stress. Nagin later announces that first responders will be offered paid time off in Las Vegas or Atlanta. [T.E.*]NaginBookClick Here

Police
9/3/20055:00 PMConvention Center evacuations are finished by the end of this day according to Brig. General Graham.Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

Evacuation-
9/3/20056:30 PMConvention Center evacuations are complete.Committee on HomelandReportClick Here

--
9/3/20057:21 PMPresident Bush speaks to Michael Chertoff for over 30 minutes.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/3/200511:20 PMGovernor Blanco sends a Memorandum of Agreement to President Bush asking that the Federal Joint Task Force be an office in the Louisiana National Guard, and that the Principal Federal Officer of FEMA be located to the Louisiana Homeland Security office.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

Security-
9/4/200512:00 AMGovernor Haley Barbour writes Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld asking for approval of 180 days of active duty for troops supporting Katrina relief efforts.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

Security-
9/4/200512:00 AMOrder NO. 2779-2005: U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales authorizes law enforcement assistance to the State of Louisiana pursuant to a letter from Governor Blanco dated 9/3/2005.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

Security-
9/4/200512:00 AMU.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales sends mail to Governor Blanco approving her request for law enforcement assistance from Federal agencies.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

Security-
9/4/20056:00 AMMichael Chertoff returns to New Orleans on an overnight flight. He will meet with DHS officials, General Honoré, and tour the region today.Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
9/4/20058:51 AMPresident Bush talks to Rep. Charles Boustany, Jr. of Louisiana.BushOtherClick Here

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9/4/20059:00 AMAs six people are crossing the Danziger Bridge seeking refuge from Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans police officers, responding to a "shots fired" call, kill 2 people and wound 4 others. James Brissette (17) and Ronald Madison (40) are killed. Some of the Officers involved in the shooting will cover up their actions and later be indicted for their conduct and serve prison time. [T.E.*]GreeneBookClick Here

Racial ViolencePolice
9/4/20059:30 AMLieutenant Michael Lohman of the NOPD arrives at the Danziger Bridge where six people have been shot, two fatally. The injured were shot in response to a "shots fired" call to the NOPD. Lohman is the lead supervisor investigating the incident. [T.E.*]GreeneBookClick Here

Racial ViolencePolice
9/4/200510:00 AMMichael Chertoff appears on Meet the Press. He asserts the levees may not have breached until Monday night or Tuesday, August 30. [T.E.*]RussertTranscriptClick Here

LeveesFEMA
9/4/200510:00 AMPolice Superintendent Eddie Compass announces the suicides of two New Orleans Police officers. Officers Lawrence Celestine took his life on Friday and and Officer Paul Accardo took his life on Saturday morning. [T.E.*]O'BrienWeb PageClick Here

Police-
9/4/200510:00 AMMayor Nagin helicopters to Zephyr field to meet with Chertoff and Brown. Nagin decides the meeting is just a photo-op for FEMA and sees that large stores of supplies at the field could be distributed to storm victims. [T.E.*]NaginBookClick Here

FEMA
9/4/200510:00 AMTim Russert interviews Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard. Broussard says his parish has been abandoned by its own country. He criticizes the federal response on all levels but breaks down during the interview due to stress. [T.E.*]BroussardVideoClick Here

--
9/4/200510:01 AMPresident Bush makes an address to the nation on the death of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court William Rehnquist.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/4/200510:27 AMThe FBI and DHS exchange emails on agency responsibility for law enforcement in New Orleans.LiptonWeb PageClick Here

--
9/4/200510:30 AMPresident Bush and the First Lady tour the Disaster Operations Center of the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/4/200510:30 AMSecretary of State Condoleezza Rice visits a church in Mobile, AL and later meets with Southeast Asian immigrant shrimpers who lost their businesses due to Katrina.RiceBookClick Here

--
9/4/200510:33 AMCol. John Jordan sends a status report to Michael Brown and others on evacuations, hospitals, MREs, and other issues.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

--
9/4/200510:43 AMPresident Bush speaks to the press about Hurricane Katrina while visiting the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/4/200510:54 AMJohn Clark begins a series of internal DHS email communications on the lead law enforcement agency in New Orleans. Agencies discussed in the emails are the FBI, ICE, and DHS.Committee on the JudTranscriptClick Here

SecurityPolice
9/4/200511:00 AMMayor Nagin proposes offering police and other first responders paid-leave trips to Las Vegas or Atlanta due to the trauma of dealing with Katrina recovery efforts. The five day trips are expected to start one week after Katrina makes landfall. [T.E.*]TreasterArticleClick Here

PoliceHOT
9/4/200512:00 PMImmigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) dispatches an additional 498 personnel to the affected areas. That number increases to over 1,000 two days later.Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

Security-
9/4/200512:00 PMOprah Winfrey tours New Orleans with Mayor Nagin and Police Superintendent Compass. The group views the city by helicopter to survey Katrina's damage before moving on to Mississippi. Oprah's interviews air later in the week.[T.E.*]WyattArticleClick Here

SecurityRumor
9/4/200512:00 PMAfter returning from Zephyr field, Mayor Nagin meets with Oprah Winfrey at the Hyatt Hotel for a tour of the city.NaginBookClick Here

FEMA
9/4/200512:30 PMMayor Nagin, Oprah Winfrey and others visit the now abandoned Superdome to inspect the conditions evacuees suffered. [T.E.*]NaginBookClick Here

FEMA
9/4/200512:35 PMAs Oprah, Mayor Nagin, and Police Chief Compass are touring the Convention Center, Chief Compass begins recounting rapes at the Superdome and a failed kidnapping attempt of the Chief the day before. When Compass starts sobbing in front of Oprah, Mayor Nagin sees that Chief Compass is losing control.NaginBookClick Here

PoliceRumors
9/4/200512:56 PMJohn Nesler (DHS Contractor) sends an email detailing mass fatality management and logistics.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

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9/4/20051:00 PMMayor Nagin, Oprah Winfrey and others take a helicopter tour to view flooding and damage throughout the city.NaginBookClick Here

FEMA
9/4/20053:15 PMAfter their meeting with Oprah Winfrey, Mayor Nagin tells Chief Compass to stop his independent press conferences. Nagin believes that Compassis has become overcome with stress.NaginBookClick Here

FEMA
9/4/20053:30 PMMayor Nagin is interviewed by John Donvan of ABC's Nightline. The interview includes a helicopter tour of the city following the same route that Mayor Nagin took with Oprah just hours before this tour. [T.E.*]NaginBookClick Here

FEMA
9/4/20055:00 PMMayor Nagin is interviewed by Scott Pelley of 60 Minutes. [T.E.*]NaginBookClick Here

FEMA
9/4/20056:21 PMSharon Worthy sends Michael Brown contact information for Samuel Cornelius, Chairman of the United Black Fund. She notes, "Several news outlets have carried the black/white situation..."BrownEmailClick Here

Race-
9/4/20057:00 PMAccording to Police Chief Riley, about 2,900 National Guard troops are now on duty in the New Orleans area. [T.E.*]NaginBookClick Here

SecurityPolice
9/4/20058:07 PMFEMA officials exchange emails about commodity deliveries and "diversions" by law enforcement officers that are delaying deliveries.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

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9/5/200512:00 AMI-10 Cloverleaf and Causeway Boulevard evacuations are complete. [Exact time not determined.]Committee on HomelandReportClick Here

Evacuation-
9/5/200512:00 AMGovernor Kathleen Blanco writes Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld requesting approval of 180 days of active duty for National Guards troops serving on active duty in support of Katrina relief efforts.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

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9/5/200512:00 AMThe DOT has contracted for over 1,100 evacuation vehicles by this date.Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

Evacuation-
9/5/20058:00 AMMichael Chertoff replaces Michael Brown by naming Admiral Allen as the Deputy PFO (Principal Federal Officer). [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

FEMAHOT
9/5/20058:34 AMPresident Bush and the First Lady fly to Baton Rouge on Air Force One.BushOtherClick Here

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9/5/20058:35 AMPresident Bush and the First Lady arrive in Baton Rouge and are met by Governor Blanco and others. The group travels to Bethany World Prayer center, an evacuee shelter in Baton Rouge.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/5/20059:00 AMAt the Bethany World Prayer center, the President tours the multipurpose room and greets evacuees.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/5/20059:00 AMMayor Nagin is interviewed by Matt Lauer of the NBC Today show. Nagin estimates that as many as 10,000 people may have died as a result of Katrina. [T.E.*]NaginBookClick Here

RumorFEMA
9/5/200510:14 AMPresident Bush travels back to Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport after meeting with evacuees.BushOtherClick Here

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9/5/200510:25 AMPresident Bush flies by helicopter to the the Emergency Operations Center to meet with Chertoff, Honore, and Landreneau.BushOtherClick Here

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9/5/200510:40 AMThe President attends a briefing on relief efforts with Chertoff and Honore.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/5/200511:55 AMThe President and the First Lady fly by helicopter from the Emergency Operations Center to Poplarville, MS.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/5/200512:23 PMHoward Pike and Michael Brown exchange emails re: media reports on Brown's work at the Arabian Horse Association.BrownEmailClick Here

LeveesFEMA
9/5/200512:40 PMIn Mississippi, the President and the First Lady are greeted by Governor Barbour and others and the group attends a meeting with state officials on recovery efforts.BushOtherClick Here

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9/5/20051:30 PMPresident Bush and state officials tour damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. The President and First Lady greet neighborhood residents.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/5/20051:50 PMThe President and the First Lady leave the Poplarville, MS area for their return to Washington.BushOtherClick Here

--
9/5/20052:00 PMThe Clintons and Bushes (George H.W.) tour the Astrodome in Houston where those displaced by Katrina receive temporary housing. After the tour, former First Lady Barbara Bush says, "And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, are underprivileged anyway, so this is working very well for them."0TranscriptClick Here

Race-
9/5/20052:55 PMPresident Bush, during his return from visiting Mississippi on Air Force One, speaks to Mayor Ray Nagin by telephone. [CDT]BushOtherClick Here

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9/5/20054:00 PMThe 17th Street Canal levee breach is repaired. [T.E.*]0Web PageClick Here

Levees-
9/5/20055:23 PMHoward Pike emails Michael Brown on media request for information on Brown being asked to leave the Arabian Horse Association.BrownEmailClick Here

LeveesFEMA
9/5/20058:56 PMCBS News reports Mayor Nagin's comments that 10,000 may be dead from Hurricane Katrina. CBS also quotes Deputy Chief Riley of the NOPD that almost a one-third of the city's police officers are unaccounted for.0Web PageClick Here

Rumors-
9/5/20059:13 PMCol John Jordan sends a status report to Michael Brown and others. The report notes that Mayor Nagin has prohibited residents from returning to the city. The report also discusses commodity distribution, medical, mortuary, and other rescue issues.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

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9/6/200512:00 AMGovernor Blanco sends a fax to Attorney General Gonzales and DHS Secretary Chertoff requesting deployment of ICE officers and other law enforcement personnel to Louisiana. Blanco notes that U.S. Marshals are already assisting with security. [Timestamp date is 9/7 at 8:51 AM.]Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

Security-
9/6/20056:00 AMLakeisha Jones (FEMA) sends flash report #20 detailing medical, housing, and mortuary needs.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

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9/6/200511:17 AMArmy Col. John Jordan sends a status report to Michael Brown and others. The report notes that Governor Blanco has decided against a mandatory evacuation of New Orleans. As a result, commodities (food, water, etc.) must now be provided to the city. The report also discusses bus evacuation, hospital , and other recovery efforts.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

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9/6/200511:22 AMMichael Brown relays an offer of medical equipment to FEMA staff, four days after receipt of the offer.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

HOT-
9/6/20052:00 PMVideographers Tony Zumbado and Josh Holm gain entry to abandoned Memorial Hospital and find many corpses. [T.E.*]BrinkleyBookClick Here

HOTHealthcare
9/6/20053:00 PMPart 1 of Oprah's visit to New Orleans is aired. On the previous Sunday, Oprah toured New Orleans with Mayor Nagin and Police Superintendent Compass. During the show, Compass puts the death toll in the thousands and says babies were raped in the Superdome while Mayor Nagin warns Oprah not to visit the Superdome due to gang activity. [See also Oprah.com. Time estimated.]WyattArticleClick Here

SecurityRumors
9/6/20054:00 PMAfter images circulate in the press of Police Chief Eddie Compass shedding tears, Compass receives an email from Mayor Nagin asking him for a 30 to 60 day exit plan to leave the police force. [ See also Brinkley. Time estimated.]DuvallCourt Doc.Click Here

Legal-
9/7/200512:00 AMDonald England (Acting Secretary of Defense) approves Federal funding for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, retroactive to 8/29/2005.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

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9/7/200512:00 AMMichael Chertoff writes Governor Blanco acknowledging her request for federal law enforcement assistance.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

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9/7/200510:00 AMMayor Nagin orders a mandatory evacuation of the City because of health risks from standing water as well as the lack of power in much of the city. [T.E.*]0Web PageClick Here

Evacuation-
9/7/20053:00 PMPart 2 of Oprah's show about Katrina is aired. Much of the show is devoted to the destruction in Mississippi. [T.E.*]McDanielWeb PageClick Here

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9/7/20055:00 PMGeneral Honoré invites Mayor Nagin and his staff to dinner aboard the USS Iwo Jima. Nagin would receive a medical exam and vaccinations aboard the ship. [T.E.*]NaginBookClick Here

-
9/7/2005Mayor Ray Nagin leases a house for his family in Dallas and spends the next six days there.BrinkleyBookClick Here

-
9/8/20053:02 AMThe Humane Society sends email (with an attached press release) to The White House and Michael Brown demanding that pets be part of the rescue effort.BrownEmailClick Here

Levees-
9/8/20059:00 AMMayor Nagin leaves New Orleans to spend time with his family in Dallas. [T.E.*]NaginBookClick Here

HOT
9/8/20059:30 AMLouisiana Attorney General Foti holds a press conference seeking to locate the owners of St. Rita's nursing home where 34 residents died. [T.E.*]Cobb, Jr.BookClick Here

Healthcare-
9/8/200510:00 AMVice President Cheney, Michael Chertoff, and Attorney General Gonzales land in Gulfport, MS and tour areas damaged by Hurricane Katrina. [T.E.*] {See also Chaney.]0VideoClick Here

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9/8/200510:38 AMMichael Brown directs FEMA officials to make plans to deal with evacuees and their pets.BrownEmailClick Here

LeveesFEMA
9/8/20055:52 PMThe USNS Comfort is directed to go to Mississippi to provide medical care for Katrina victims. Michael Brown had directed the ship dock in New Orleans but he was overruled by Senator Trent Lott of Mississippi. [See also Birch. Exact time unknown.]BrownBookClick Here

HOTHealthcare
9/8/20056:13 PMNicol Andrews of FEMA public relations sends email to other FEMA officials on several topics. She notes that FEMA should not assist media interested in filming Katrina fatalities. She also provides updates on cruise ships for recovery workers, pet rescue, and the expected arrival of the USNS Comfort.BrownBookClick Here

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9/8/2005James Reiss, chairman of the New Orleans RTA, tells the Wall Street Journal that, "Those who want to see this city rebuilt want to see it done in a completely different way: demographically, geographically, and politically..I'm not just speaking for myself here. The way we've been living is not going to happen again, or we're out." [Time unknown.]CooperWeb PageClick Here

Race-
9/9/20059:00 AMMichael Chertoff removes Michael Brown as the director of the Katrina relief effort. Vice Adm. Thad Allen is named the new director. Chertoff says that Brown's services are needed elsewhere in FEMA. [T.E.*]FesslerAudioClick Here

FEMA-
9/9/20059:30 AMOn a LOHSEP conference call, Jefferson Parish official Walter Maestri questions FEMA's ability to provide generators as promised. Colonel Smith assures Maestri there will be plenty of time in the future to find out what happened.ZwerdlingTranscriptClick Here

FEMAPreparedness
9/9/20051:28 PMGovernor Haley Barbour requests law enforcement assistance from federal law enforcement agents.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

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9/9/20051:41 PMThe Vice President's staff exchange emails detailing the difficulties of purchasing large numbers of trailers to house those displaced by Katrina.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

Housing-
9/10/2005Mayor Nagin meets with a group of New Orleans business people, including James Reiss, in Dallas. Nagin believes the group's aim is to change the demographics of the city in favor of whites. Nagin tells the group he wants no part of their plans.NaginBookClick Here

RaceCommerce
9/11/20059:00 AMMayor Nagin appears on Meet the Press with Tim Russert. John Barry, Arlen Specter, and Ivor van Heerden also appear. Nagin defends his actions against the claims of critics.RussertTranscriptClick Here

RecoveryRace
9/11/20051:00 PMMayor Nagin meets with Louis Farrakhan of the Nation of Islam on the last day of his stay in Dallas. Farrakhan wants to know if the levees had been dynamited. [T.E.*]NaginBookClick Here

Rumors
9/11/20055:00 PMMayor Nagin meets with President Bush aboard the USS Iwo Jima where they have dinner and discuss the rebuilding of New Orleans. [T.E.*]NaginBookClick Here

Recovery-
9/11/2005Ray Nagin appears with Tim Russert on Meet the Press. Nagin rejects a "tent city" solution to the housing crisis, says that race is a factor in how residents have been treated, and that drivers were not available to operate city owned buses. Nagin also says that Governor Blanco has not done a good job.0Web PageClick Here

HousingRecovery
9/12/20057:00 AMThe Asst. Sec. of Defense for Homeland Defense issues a summary of DOD support of Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts. Areas of support include over 70,000 troops, medical personnel, mosquito abatement, MRE delivery (16.7mm), and housing support. [EST ?]Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

Security-
9/12/20057:00 AMAboard the USS Iwo Jima, President Bush and Mayor Nagin attend a briefing led by Admiral Thad Allen on current relief efforts.NaginBookClick Here

Recovery-
9/12/20058:00 AMBush, Blanco, Nagin, Chertoff, Honore, Allen and others tour New Orleans to see the damage from Hurricane Katrina.[T.E.*]NaginBookClick Here

-
9/12/20059:00 AMMichael Brown resigns as director of FEMA and David Paulison is named in his place.[T.E.*]BushTranscriptClick Here

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9/12/20059:29 AMAfter touring New Orleans, President Bush speaks to reporters. He answers questions about the role of race in the recovery efforts as well as deferring questions of blame for the delay in the federal government's response.BushTranscriptClick Here

Race-
9/12/20052:06 PMPresident Bush and Governor Barbour tour a school in Gulfport, Mississippi that had been damaged by Hurricane Katrina. The President is informed about the resignation of Michael Brown when he speaks to reporters at the school.BushTranscriptClick Here

FEMA-
9/13/20058:00 AMPresident Bush attends a twenty-two minute briefing on Hurricane Katrina relief efforts with Cheney, Chertoff, Card, and others.BushOtherClick Here

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9/13/200511:35 AMDuring a press briefing, President Bush says, "Katrina exposed serious problems in our response capability at all levels of government. And to the extent that the federal government didn't fully do its job right, I take responsibility."BushTranscriptClick Here

HOT-
9/13/2005Louis Armstrong Airport is reopened to commercial traffic.0PamphletClick Here

Transportation-
9/14/20053:00 PMNursing home operators Mable and Salvador Mangano, Sr. surrender to state officials. They are charged with 34 counts of negligent homicide due to deaths at the nursing home they owned. They would be acquitted of all charges in 2007.Foti, Jr.Press ReleaseClick Here

HealthcareLegal
9/14/20057:15 PMGovernor Blanco addresses the Louisiana legislature about the effects of Hurricane Katrina. "As your Governor, I take full responsibility." Blanco then outlines her plans for the recovery of Louisiana.BlancoVideoClick Here

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9/14/20058:00 PMMayor Nagin appears on Larry King Live and discusses the city's recovery efforts. He also discusses blame for the poor response to the storm and flooding.KingTranscriptClick Here

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9/15/200512:00 PMU.S. Secret Service personnel are withdrawn from the Gulf. [T.E.*]Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

Security-
9/15/20058:02 PMPresident Bush, in a speech from Jackson Square, outlines the federal government's plans to rebuild the Gulf Coast. He says he has asked Congress for more than $60 billion for the rebuilding. [See also Bush, p. 326.]BushTranscriptClick Here

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9/15/2005Mayor Nagin announces he will allow limited daytime access to residents of the city beginning with Algiers and extending in coming days to other neighborhoods.NaginBookClick Here

Security-
9/16/2005John Woodley, Assistant Army Secretary for Civil Works, visits the Katrina disaster area for two days.Committee on ApproprVideoClick Here

Recovery-
9/24/20052:40 AMHurricane Rita makes landfall just east of the Texas/Louisiana border. The hurricane is a Category 3 storm and coming so soon after Katrina, the hurricane threatens the city's recovery efforts. The storm does minimal physical damage to the city.0Web PageClick Here

MeteorologyHOT
9/26/2005The New York Times editorial board criticizes the White House and Republicans for their refusal to conduct investigations of the federal response to Hurricane Katrina.Editorial BoardArticleClick Here

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9/27/2005Michael Brown appears before the Select Committee to defend his response to Hurricane Katrina. Brown claims Executive Privilege regarding communication with White House. Brown blames the dysfunctional city and state response for most Katrina related problems. He also claims FEMA was vastly underfunded.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

FEMA-
9/27/2005Police Chief Eddie Compass resigns from the New Orleans Police Department. Compass will later state that he was forced out by mayor Nagin.LongmanArticleClick Here

Police-
9/28/2005The House Committee on Energy and Commerce holds a hearing: Guarding Against Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in Post-Katrina Relief and Recovery, the Plans of the Inspectors General. Witnesses include Feaster, Frazier, Friedman, Gimble, Rabkin, Skinner, Tinsley, and Vengrin.Subcommittee on OverTranscriptClick Here

CorruptionRecovery
9/28/2005Anu Mittal of the GAO testifies before a House Subcommittee that when Katrina struck, the New Orleans flood system was only 60% - 90% complete due to design changes required by court decisions.Committee on ApproprVideoClick Here

Levees-
9/28/2005Lt. Genl. Carl Strock of the ACE testifies before a House Subcommittee. He "dislikes" using the word "fail" in regard to flood walls since that implies the project did not perform according to its original design.Committee on ApproprVideoClick Here

Army CorpsLevees
9/28/2005The House Committee on Appropriations holds a hearing to examine the Army Corps of Engineers' response to the hurricane and to examine recovery costs. Witnesses include Lt. General Strock, Anu Mittal of the GAO, and John Paul Woodley of the U.S. ACE.Committee on ApproprVideoClick Here

Army CorpsLevees
9/28/2005The National Science Foundation announces grants to study the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast. Included in the announcement is a grant to a group led by Prof. Raymond Seed who will head the Independent Levee Investigation Team. (ILIT)0Press ReleaseClick Here

Levees-
9/29/200512:00 PMAfter being to deployed to Mississippi, the USNS Comfort medical ship arrives in New Orleans to provide medical care to Katrina victims. As of October 4, it had only treated 18 patients. [T.E.*]BirchArticleClick Here

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9/30/2005Representatives Charles Melancon and Rep. Tom Davis write to Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff requesting Katrina related documents.MelanconReportClick Here

Investigation-
9/30/2005Over 19,000 Mississippi households are still without power as a result of Hurricane Katrina.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

Infrastructure-
10/1/2005An article in U.S. Medicine details DOD actions in response to Hurricane Katrina.Select Bipartisan CoReportClick Here

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10/7/200512:00 AMHouse and Senate Investigation Committees request all pertinent records from Governor Blanco concerning the state's actions concerning Hurricane Katrina.Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

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10/7/2005Mayor Nagin proposes an increase in the number of casinos in New Orleans as a means to revitalize the economy. Governor Blanco will later reject the proposal.0Web PageClick Here

RecoveryCommerce
10/10/2005Ninety-eight percent of Mississippi's students are back in school by this date, according to Governor Barbour.Committee on HomelandTranscriptClick Here

Education-
10/11/2005Flood waters finally recede in all parts of New Orleans.KnabbReportClick Here

Recovery-
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