Bennett finally sees devastation
He affirms need for aid in Mississippi, New Orleans
That "Women of the Storm" group can now take Utah off its hate list. At the group's invitation, Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, visited New Orleans and storm-damaged areas of Mississippi during a weekend trip.
"I always understood how devastating it was, but there is nothing quite like seeing it firsthand," Bennett told the Deseret Morning News Monday.
"It's clearly the worst storm we have ever had. The previous record holder was Hurricane Andrew," he said. "You would have to take all the damage by Andrew and multiply it by 10 to get the amount of damage this represents."
Bennett is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which oversees how to divide the nation's spending pie each year. He said the federal government has spent or approved spending in the neighborhood of $50 billion for recovery from Katrina so far.
"They certainly have enough money for now, and didn't ask for any more money for now although they reserved the right to do so in the future," Bennett said.
Bennett said 150,000 to 250,000 people still have not returned to New Orleans. He said he saw entire wards of the city where all surviving homes are empty, and seem uninhabitable.
"It's eerie to see the same flood line on every house in the neighborhood," he said. "Floodwaters actually were higher than the rooftops, but the floods settled to a point 3 or 3 1/2 feet high and stayed there for months and that is the mark you see."
He added that he is not sure whether such housing can be saved, "but my instinct is to bulldoze it and start over again."
Bennett said he is impressed by planning so far to rebuild the city, including promises that rebuilding will occur only where and how it makes sense to help avoid similar disasters in the future.
"They are in good spirits. They are determined to rebuild and make it work," Bennett said, adding he will keep an eye on progress and the needs of the area.
E-mail: lee@desnews.com
Comments
- Attempted murder case refiled 1:58 a.m.
- Sports on the air 1:38 a.m.
- This weekend on TV 1:38 a.m.
- Birthdays for Saturday, July 11 1:38 a.m.
- 2 men cited on LDS plaza 1:37 a.m.
- S.L. man spots stolen car — his 1:23 a.m.
- Girl critical after run-in with train 1:23 a.m.
- Probe of death treated as slaying 1:22 a.m.
- Taylorsville man arrested in robbery 1:21 a.m.
- HBO defends U. logo use in 'Love' 1:20 a.m.
- Jazz brass debate Millsap match
- LDS seminary principal arrested
- 2 men cited on LDS plaza
- HBO defends U. logo use in 'Love'
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- Jazz finances not quite so bleak
- Teacher faces new sex charges
- Cash for Clunkers to get rolling soon
- S.L. man spots stolen car — his
- Utahns among Texans' investors
- LDS seminary principal arrested
160 - Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
141 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
136 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
123 - Jazz brass debate Millsap match
99 - Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
94 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
74 - Letters: Single-payer system best
72 - Services bids farewell to Jackson
70
As more and more dads are put out of work in this economy, I've been...
The photographs are mysterious, brooding, dark. They show dimples and...
I love Millsap, and the Jazz will find a way to move Boozer and match for...
i think its childish to assume that somebody would actually want to get...
Millsap and Boozer need to stay in Utah. Millsap is Boozers backup while he...
Childish and immature? Its always easier being ignorant and presuming things...
can you use words like testimony and church leadership to critisize a...
Bro P really helped me through a tough time in my life when I had him in...
These are only allegations at present, but I hope when he goes to trial, the...
My thoughts are with the Pratt family right now. Michael I hope you are...
It is interesting that everyone who seems to be a member comments on how nice...
You presume, simply because they were gay, that they were trying to "stir...


You can be the first to comment on this story.