It is difficult to comprehend the devastation caused by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Here are a few statistics gathered from the EPA, U.S. State Department, FEMA and the National Automobile Dealers Association.



It is difficult to comprehend the devastation caused by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Below are a few statistics gathered from the EPA, U.S. State Department, FEMA and the National Automobile Dealers Association.

• 1.2 million households received $3.5 billion in federal disaster assistance.
• 43 million meals were served by the American Red Dross and Salvation Army.
• 285,000 cars damaged by floods could be resold by scammers to unsuspecting customers.
• Over 1,000 Louisianans died. At least 25 percent of those were aged 50 or older.
• 79 nursing home residents died.
• $200 billion in damage resulted from the storms.
• The cost of a barrel of oil increased from $38 to $65 over the last 18 months.
• Hundreds of thousands of gallons of oil and fuel products have leaked into the environment.

Emergency cleanup continues and plans are under way to let contracts for additional cleanups in the three states affected by the storms. Tens of thousands of volunteers came to the area to help sample, clean and rebuild the communities. One of the major problems in the area was mold. Some businesses have successfully used chlorine dioxide gas to remove the mold. This should only be administered by professionals.