Mark, I completely agree with you. On a national level, the economic consequences of this disaster will be staggering. There are only a handful of cities in our nation that if they were to be destroyed (or at the very least we can agree "out of service" for 1-2 years) the entire country would feel the negative effects. As awful as the destruction of a city is, it typically does not lead to the drastic consequences that the destruction of this strategic port will lead to.

Just heard on CNN that a man has jumped to his death in the Superdome. There is waist deep water outside the dome. Toilets are overflowing. They are trying to evacuate the mayor from City Hall (which is surrounded by water) to the Superdome. Conditions inside are utterly unbearable. Literally a H--- on Earth.