By KSN Chief Meteorologist Dave Freeman

Other storms have been more powerful--higher winds and lower barometric pressures. But, it appears that Katrina will easily go down in history as the most expensive hurricane in US history, surpassing Andrew in 1992. And, I fear that Katrina may also take the top spot in the most awful category, the greatest loss of human life.

Up to this point, that distinction has been held by the Galveston, TX, hurricane of 1905 (before hurricanes were given names). Most authorities put the death toll from that storm at between 7,000 and 10,000 people. It was the worst combination of a powerful hurricane, geography and the hubris of the weather forecasters of the day. The story is a human tragedy of classic proportions, and the subject of a previous column.

At this writing, there are indications that we will see the death toll from Katrina rising into the thousands. There have been several references by government officials darkly hinting at the possibility that Katrina's toll will exceed that of the Galveston hurricane; I fear they may be correct. In this case, we also had an awful combination of a Category 4 hurricane and geography. In the Galveston hurricane, the storm surge overwhelmed a city built on a low-lying island. In the case of Katrina, the problem was the incredible amounts of rain causing flooding, which breached the system of levees surrounding a city built below sea level.

We learn now that the levee system around New Orleans was only designed to withstand a Category 3 hurricane. The gamble that New Orleans would never be hit by a Category 4 or 5 storm has been lost with mind-numbing consequences. Not only did Katrina make landfall very close to the city, but then she went right up the Mississippi River valley--ensuring that all of the incredible rainfall would rush downstream and eventually help breach the levees. And, because of this slightly delayed effect, it is possible that some people actually returned to their homes in the city after the storm and before the evacuation orders were lifted. When the breach occurred and flood waters poured into the city, they were trapped.

We must add to this the implications of the slow government response to the tragedy. I will not attempt here to fix blame--that is a task best left to others. But, I think everyone recognizes that the delayed response both in carrying out an evacuation well ahead of the storm, and in bringing needed aid afterward, added to the horrible death toll. As recovery teams move into the city, no doubt many, many more victims will be found. Many others will forever remain missing, their bodies lost to the ravaging, contaminated waters.

In the aftermath, there is a very difficult question that is awful to contemplate but which must be asked--does it make sense to rebuild a major city below sea level in a hurricane prone area? Or, should we let nature take her course in that area, and build a "New" New Orleans on higher ground?

Of course, not all of the losses are in the New Orleans area, due to flooding. Other areas, like coastal Mississippi, were devastated. The death toll here was surprisingly high given that this was an extremely well forecast hurricane. We knew 72 hours out that Katrina was heading out over the Gulf of Mexico, and very likely curving back to the North. We knew 72 hours out that Katrina would be in a very favorable atmospheric environment to strengthen, and that she would be feeding on the exceptionally warm waters of the northern Gulf. We knew 48 hours out she would strike Louisiana, Mississippi and possibly Alabama. We knew 24 hours out where the most likely landfall was, and, most importantly, the National Hurricane Center had a high level of confidence that Katrina would make landfall as a Category 4 or even 5 storm.

There was plenty of time, plenty of warning. So, why were there people still on the coastline? Why did people refuse evacuation orders? These are also difficult questions that must be asked if we are to learn the lessons of history and not be condemned to repeat the same mistakes.

I hope that our government and civic leaders here in Kansas are reflecting on these questions, too, so that the next time we face a large, damaging tornado, we are better prepared.

One final note about this awful story--the silver lining, if you will excuse the expression. When you see the response of people to these kinds of tragedies, it really does restore your faith in humanity. I spent a number of hours working at the KSN/Salvation Army collection drives at Dillons, and the generosity--the sacrifices--of Kansans was beautiful to behold. If there is a positive side to this horrendous story, it is that the needs of the victims brought out the best in all of us.

Dave Freeman
KSN Chief Meteorologist
weatherlab@ksn.com