Katrina Was Bad, But Worse Is Coming
This column was written by CBS News Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith.
I was in Mississippi and Louisiana last week, working on stories for the one year anniversary of Katrina. Much of New Orleans' 9th Ward already looks like a ghost town — empty lots and abandoned houses covered in weeds.
In St. Bernard parish, we met people who feel like they're being strangled in red tape. While there are signs of hope and even progress, any place that was touched by Katrina has a long journey back to normal.
Along the waterfront in Gulfport, Miss., little rebuilding has started. It reminds me of the tsunami damage I saw in Sri Lanka.
Will we ever see anything worse?
Yes, says Max Mayfield. In a new interview with the Reuters News Service, the director of the National Hurricane Center says it's coming. His fear: a major hurricane making a direct hit on a major metropolitan area. Folks going to bed expecting a Category 1, and waking up to a 5. Mayfield says it's not a matter of if, but when.
Harry's daily commentary can be heard on manyCBS Radio News affiliates across the country.
By Harry Smith