Bob Denver, Gilligan from Gilligan’s Island, just died. He was 70.

(Guestblogger Em)

As looters get way out of control, the New Orleans mayor told the police to abandon their search and rescue efforts and crack down on the lawlessness in the city. Nagin says, “They are starting to get closer to heavily populated areas — hotels, hospitals, and we’re going to stop it right now.”

(Guestblogger Em)

Just when things seemed bad enough . . .

CNN reports of looting, carjackings and shootings near the hurricane shelter.

(by Guestblogger Em)

UPDATE BY BRENDAN: The looting is proving extremely difficult to control, according to NOLA. “People are leaving the Superdome to go to Canal Street to loot,” said New Orleans City Council President Oliver Thomas. “Some people broke into drug stores and stole the drugs off the shelves. It is looting times five. I’m telling you, it’s like Sodom and Gomorrah.”

Meanwhile, the police officer who was shot in the head by a looter earlier is in surgery. And ABC is now confirming that a prison riot and hostage situation is underway.

UPDATE BY EM: NOLA reports, at 11:45pm, that the looters are trying to break into the children’s hospital.

Late Tuesday, Gov. Blanco spokeswoman Denise Bottcher described a disturbing scene unfolding in uptown New Orleans, where looters were trying to break into Children’s Hospital.

Bottcher said the director of the hospital fears for the safety of the staff and the 100 kids inside the hospital. The director said the hospital is locked, but that the looters were trying to break in and had gathered outside the facility.

The director has sought help from the police, but, due to rising flood waters, police have not been able to respond.

Bottcher said Blanco has been told of the situation and has informed the National Guard. However, Bottcher said, the National Guard has also been unable to respond.