Breaking News -- pumps failed in New Orleans

[KBBOCA]

Have been listening to WDSU live
http://www.wdsu.com/video/4907831/detail.html

They just had an interview with Dept. of Homeland Security Director in N.Orleans. He reports "the pumps in New Orleans are failing" and he expects serious flooding issues. He will be meeting with the governor in the next few minutes.

There are reports of glass breaking in the Hilton Hotel

Good news, the Superdome still has power (on backup) so at least all those taking shelter there are not in the dark.

[Mello1]

Have been listening to WDSU live
http://www.wdsu.com/video/4907831/detail.html

They just had an interview with Dept. of Homeland Security Director in N.Orleans. He reports "the pumps in New Orleans are failing" and he expects serious flooding issues. He will be meeting with the governor in the next few minutes.

There are reports of glass breaking in the Hilton Hotel

Good news, the Superdome still has power (on backup) so at least all those taking shelter there are not in the dark.

Wow. Thanks for the report. The dome is on generators. The CBD is without power according to a report from CNN.

[oneness]

The NO 'Quarter' webcam went down at about 5:45 AM, seems to be back now though.

[KBBOCA]

Oh darn.

Now they're saying the Superdome does NOT have electricity. I'm not sure what's up with the generator. Stay tuned...

[Mello1]

Oh darn.

Now they're saying the Superdome does NOT have electricity. I'm not sure what's up with the generator. Stay tuned...

Media dramatics. They lost power on the grid, and they are on the generator.

[KBBOCA]

I'm not sure it is dramatics, because they'd already reported that the grid was down and that the Superdome was on generators.

Them five minutes later they retracted that and said the Superdome is in the dark with no A/C.

Obviously clear info is hard to get right now and there are likely to be such back and forth type reports

[inotherwords]

The generator will only provide dim lighting and not a/c. Maybe that's where the confusion comes in.

[Rob Beaux]

The pumps can only handle 1nch per hour. The rain is coming down faster than that. So this is expected and happens frequently in NOLA when we get a tropical system or a big big thunderstorm..

[Brent]

Brian Williams is on the phone from the Superdome on MSNBC... power is OUT. 100-110 mph gusts... seems the people inside are fine, for now.

He did say there were some fans running but that was the only air flow.

[vbhoutex]

correct on the Superdome according to media reports. Generator power and no ac.
The mayor was just on NBC and some of the pumps are failing and some of the levees are being overtopped. He did not describe it as a horrible situation, but did say they do not know how bad the flooding is going to be, but that obviously now they will be having some problems with it.

[KBBOCA]

Yuck.

WDSU is interviewing someone live in the Superdome. The roof began leaking as he was speaking.

The reporter covering it (who says he has reported on hurricanes for 15 years) sounds REALLY anxious.

And obviously, higher winds are still expected. May God protect all in the Dome.

[Mello1]

I'm not sure it is dramatics, because they'd already reported that the grid was down and that the Superdome was on generators.

Them five minutes later they retracted that and said the Superdome is in the dark with no A/C.

Obviously clear info is hard to get right now and there are likely to be such back and forth type reports

CNN talked to a National Guard Major in the Superdome and he said that the generators were running, but that they had no air conditioning.