All week, we have heard stories and snippets about the subject of the death toll from Katrina. The official counts are very low so far. But those numbers are going to start to rise and over the next days and weeks, we are going to learn just how many of our fellow Americans died in the storm and it's aftermath. The Washington Post gives a preview of what's to come:
Four days after the hurricane hit, the death toll from the Katrina disaster remained elusive Friday in the devastated flood zone of southeastern Louisiana. But it seemed increasingly apparent the body count would exceed several hundred, and fears persisted that it would mount into the thousands.The sickest and most disgusting part will be when we learn how many of these people died because their government -- and their President -- failed them.
Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), who toured the area with President Bush, told reporters here in the state capital that the death toll could reach many thousands. But he cautioned that he had no official reports, and there was no word from any Louisiana state agency of an official toll for New Orleans or surrounding areas.
Mississippi officials put their deaths at 147 and rising. Scattered deaths in other southeastern states also may be linked to Katrina.
