Major developments in Katrina's aftermath

Associated Press

Published: Saturday, Sept. 10 2005 12:00 a.m. MDT

Summary

Major developments in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina:

Authorities say their first systematic sweep of New Orleans found far fewer bodies than expected, suggesting that the death toll may not be the catastrophic 10,000 feared.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff announces that Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Michael Brown is being relieved of his command of the Bush administration's Hurricane Katrina onsite relief efforts.

The federal government will discontinue its program to distribute debit cards worth up to $2,000 to hurricane victims. Once officials distribute cards this weekend at shelters in Dallas, Houston and San Antonio, victims elsewhere will have to apply to receive direct bank deposits instead.

Workers repairing New Orleans' system of levees and water pumps project that it will take a month to dry out the city. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says most neighborhoods could be drained by Oct. 2, but some areas could take longer.

The first planeload of 100 Louisiana National Guardsmen returns home from Iraq, leaving behind the carnage of warfare to find their families in their hurricane-ravaged state. Most of the soldiers lost everything to Hurricane Katrina and will qualify for safe-haven status, in which they will get a 14-day leave and then be eligible for demobilization.

President Bush says he'll make his third trip to the disaster zone on Sunday.

Authorities say the New Orleans airport will reopen to commercial flights on Sept. 19.

Comments

Major developments in Katrina's aftermath

Political storm raging

1st private supply ship

Michigan fire

Hunger in Africa