Katrina justs get worse, and worse, and...worse

A grim situation grows even more grim:

The Bush administration declared a public health emergency for the entire Gulf Coast on Wednesday in an effort to stop the spread of disease in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

"We are gravely concerned about the potential for cholera, typhoid and dehydrating diseases that could come as a result of the stagnant water and the conditions," Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt said Wednesday after announcing the emergency.

"We are also erecting a network of up to 40 medical shelters," Leavitt said. "They will have the capacity, collectively, of 10,000 beds, and will be staffed by some 4,000 qualified medical personnel." (See the video report of what health assaults the city might face -- 2:18)

Leavitt said the declaration would simplify and speed the relief effort. (Health risks)

Meanwhile, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin reportedly said Wednesday that the storm probably killed thousands of people in his battered and flood-stricken city.

There is flooding, there are fires, there are crumpled buildings, there is debris, there are dead peoples, gas leaks, levee breaks, disease, and destruction across the Gulf Coast.

We've put up links to the Red Cross and Mercy Corps on the Portal's front page so you can donate to help. The Red Cross has donations of $21 million so far but could use all the help they can get.