New satellite images of New Orleans, flooded

[Garth Herrick]

To help put Hurricane Katrina's distructive impact into visual perspective, Google Maps offers new views of New Orleans flooding and devastation with some aerial photos taken last Wednesday, August 31st, at 10 a.m. One can get a deeper sense of the magnitude of Katrina devastation, seeing endless square miles of submerged city, block after flooded block, through these satellite views.

Click here for Katrina satellite views.

One can toggle between "before and after" satellite modes, street maps and an hybrid satellite mode of the "before" images with a superimposed map overlay. One can zoom in close enough to discern details such as individual cars and trees, although individual people are too small to make out.

It's worth a tour. I am numbed and haunted by the magnitude of destruction and untold human loss, via this aerial virtual fly-over, as well as the stark reality of the associated implications and logistics yet to unfold. Kudos to Kim Dow and countless other fine citizens who are directly spearheading the massive relief efforts underway.

Garth

[Jeff Fuchs]

New Orleans wasn't just a commercial center. It was a cultural mecca for this part of the country. We didn't rival New York, but we held our own in the fields of music, art, and cuisine. In months, even years to come, there will be many jobs in the city for construction workers, laborers, and engineers. The creative community will have no outlet in New Orleans for a while, sadly (with the exception of architects).

I worry that the city will make a comeback, but the creative community may be gone forever. It could be years before an art gallery can be viable in the city again.

Among Southern states, Louisiana stands out, mainly because of the Crescent City. This distinction may no longer be valid. Only time will tell.

Call me petty, but it's what I'm thinking. A man at my office is obsessed with where the Saints will play. He says it's important, because sports help unite people. I guess I feel the same way about the arts.

[Garth Herrick]

I just clicked in the link above, and the aerial satellite views have all been updated showing considerable progress. No longer, apparently can one see the devastating shocking images of a city submerged. I wonder if anyone ever archived those historic images? I remember just rooftops showing amid inky blackness of floodwaters. Evidently there has been a lot of rebuilding and reclamation, which is great! I just don't think we should forget the former impactful images and the environmental and social lessons they taught.

Garth