South recoils from Katrina

Hurricane Katrina left a bigger mess in Louisiana than was apparent Monday night. Currently 80% of the city is under water after breaks in the levees protecting the city. Martial law was declared in two parishes. Thousands of people are stranded in the Louisiana Superdome.

Southern Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama suffered heavy damage. Cable news stations have been showing aerial footage all day.

People in the affected areas have a long road ahead of them. Large areas will be uninhabitable for weeks or months. The death toll is likely in the hundreds, if not thousands. Katrina may well end up being the most expensive hurricane in U.S. history.

If you'd like to help the victims of the storm, donate money to the Red Cross via their online form or by calling 1-800-HELP-NOW.

Additional coverage:
Hundreds feared dead in U.S. Hurricane Katrina (Reuters)
Floodwater inundates New Orleans after hurricane (Reuters)
Katrina Devastation Called 'Overwhelming' (AP)
FEMA Head: Katrina Was 'Catastrophic' (AP)
Hundreds feared dead in U.S. Hurricane Katrina (Reuters)
Katrina floods downtown Mobile, beaches, bayous (USA Today)