Well...The Saints won't be playin' in the Superdome any time soon.....

:(




Hurricane Katrina Rips Superdome Roof
By MARY FOSTER
Associated Press Writer
NEW ORLEANS
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http://www.fredericksburg.com/News/apmethods/apstory?urlfeed=D8C9Q8880.xml

The roof of the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans was shredded by strong winds of Hurricane Katrina as it battered the Crescent City on Monday, Aug. 29, 2005. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
They lined up by the thousands, clutching meager belongings and crying children. A few hours later, the power went out, turning the building into a hot and muggy mess. Then the part of the roof blew off.

For an estimated 8,000 to 9,000 refugees _ many of them poor and frail _ the Louisiana Superdome was a welcome shelter from Hurricane Katrina, but an uncomfortable one at the same time.

"They're in for another miserable night," Terry Ebbert, chief of homeland security for New Orleans, said Monday afternoon. But he later added: "They're safe."

Superdome and government emergency officials stressed that they did not expect the huge roof to fail because of the relatively small breaches, each about 15 to 20 feet long and 4 to 5 feet wide.

Refugees sitting below the holes were moved across the arena and away from any falling debris, said Doug Thornton, regional manager of the company that manages the huge arena.

"I could have stayed at home and watched my roof blow off," said one of the refugees, Harald Johnson, 43. "Instead, I came down here and watched the Superdome roof blow off. It's no big deal; getting wet is not like dying."

In addition to the two holes, water was leaking in through many other areas, including elevators and stairwells, as the wind forced water in through any small opening. Across Poydras Street, numerous shattered windows were visible on high-rise office buildings.

Glenn Menard, general manager of the Superdome, said that although only the two holes were visible from the interior, more damage was possible.

The 77,000-seat, steel-framework stadium, home of the NFL's New Orleans Saints, provided few comforts but at least had bathrooms and food donated by charities.

.....the season for us is just not worth discussing at this point in time. :(

End of Line.

They're looking for another facility.