Not to take away from the compassion and attention that the Katrina disaster duly requires, but the rest of the world is having its own fun time with the weather. Asia in particular is experiencing a typhoon season similar to our hurricane season.

Typhoon Haitang killed 12 people in July, and now the one that just blew through — Typhoon Talim — killed at least 2, including: “A car-rental firm employee [who] was blown off the seventh storey of a multilevel car park late on Wednesday in Miaoli city in north Taiwan while checking on the company’s fleet.” It’s now moving toward China; Eastern Zhejiang province had evacuated more than 290,000 people.

Also, storms from monsoons in India have killed several hundred people there. While there were deaths from the storm itself, like New Orleans many of the deaths are from post-storm building collapses and disease, and flooding from the Ghaghra River. Particularly vulnerable are children; several were simply washed away, and now encephalitis spread by disease-carrying mosquitoes is claiming more. All in all, more than 300,000 people are said to be affected in India’s most populous state.

Just a sober reminder that tragedy can strike anywhere.

Brian (Briandot)

UPDATE BY BRENDAN: Also, Tropical Depression Lee and Tropical Depression 14 are out there in the Atlantic. Luckily, both seem unlikely to threaten land.

I understand the concern that we shouldn’t put pets’ lives before people’s, and as someone who used to be allergic to cats and dogs, I understand that concern too… but still, this strikes me as horrible:

Pets were not allowed on the bus, and when a police officer confiscated a little boy’s dog, the child cried until he vomited. “Snowball, snowball,” he cried.

Yikes.

I’m about to go on the air on Hugh Hewitt. Listen online here.

UPDATE: Done. I was able to record an audio clip, which I’ll post later.

I gave Charles a shout-out during the interview. Anyone coming here after listening to the interview and looking for the URL of his blog, here it is. And here is more on his drives to New Orleans.

And now, to class.

UPDATE 2: An audio clip of the interview is already online here and here.

NPR reports that “people trying to fix the levee are now getting shot at,” according to Dane. An unconfirmed report.

Drudge says that the New York Times will report tomorrow: “There are signs of complete social breakdown, experts and locals say, a descent into a kind of predatory violence… Developing…”

I’m slated to be on the Hugh Hewitt radio show at around 6:30 PM EST/CDT tonight (7:30 PM East Coast, 4:30 PM West Coast). [UPDATE: I’m to be “paired” with Glenn Reynolds, apparently! I’m feeling rather starstruck!] You can listen on 1270 AM in South Bend, and many other stations around the country. You can also listen online. If someone is able to make an audio recording of the Internet feed, and then e-mail it to me as a WAV or MP3 or whatever, I would be most appreciative. :)

With rumors running rampant of looting and criminal activity in Baton Rouge, Josh Britton tries to figure out what’s really going on.

From the comments: “AB Freeman school of business students please e-mail pamela.shaw@gmail.com. Info will be relayed about Burkenroad Reports and other classes.”

UPDATE: Also, I’ve been requested via e-mail to post this: “Hibernia Corporation is requesting that all of its employees who live in areas impacted by Hurricane Katrina call the following toll-free number: 1-800-707-0489. They want to find out where you are and how you are doing. If you need help, they will put you in touch with the right resources. If you see anyone you know who works for Hibernia, please pass along this message to them. … Please identify yourself as a Hibernia employee when you call.”

Britney Spears is safe. :)

From Interdictor, in N.O.:

In case anyone in national security is reading this, get the word to President Bush that we need the military in here NOW. The Active Duty Armed Forces. Mr. President, we are losing this city. I don’t care what you’re hearing on the news. The city is being lost. It is the law of the jungle down here. The command and control structure here is barely functioning. I’m not sure it’s anyone’s fault — I’m not sure it could be any other way at this point. We need the kind of logistical support and infrastructure only the Active Duty military can provide. The hospitals are in dire straights. The police barely have any capabilities at this point. The National Guard is doing their best, but the situation is not being contained. I’m here to help in anyway I can, but my capabilities are limited and dropping. Please get the military here to maintain order before this city is lost.

A good question, from Donald Sensing. (Hat tip: Glenn.)

CNN has zoomable satellite images of the Great New Orleans Flood of 2005.

Another scary report:

[H]undreds of young black men jumped on the levee with guns and tried to ransack the parish. The sheriff, fire department, and others had to hold them off. Some got through though, and they took over the Domino Sugar refinery. He said there were some people shooting at the rescuers, and flipping rescue boats in order to steal them. The looting is 10 times worse than what it is on TV. They are going house to house, and they are shooting people. It is complete anarchy.

This awesome picture might make the Superdome look rather heavenly, but in reality, it is Hell. Great article. Money quote: “To tell you the truth, I’d rather be in Iraq,” said Sgt. Jason Defess, 27, a National Guardsman who spend 14 months there, and after three days in the Superdome, it ready to go back.

P.S. Here’s another good article from the Washington Post, looking at the bigger picture, comparing this to previous American calamities.

Dave Barry sums things up. Heh. (Hat tip: Dane.)

Lots of scary reports here.