Katrina likely the worst storm ever to hit U.S.

They're saying it wasn't as bad as it could have been, but it's still terribly grim:

Deteriorating conditions in New Orleans will force authorities to evacuate the thousands of people who sought refuge at shelters in the city, Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco said Tuesday.

"We're going to try to get those people relocated as soon as we possibly can get a plan together," she told reporters.

"A lot of people lost their lives, and we still don't have any idea [how many], because the focus continues to be on rescuing those who have survived," she said.

Elsewhere Tuesday along the Gulf Coast, authorities used boats and helicopters to reach residents stranded by Hurricane Katrina and search for survivors.

The storm ripped ashore in Louisiana Monday morning with winds topping 140 mph before scourging Mississippi and Alabama.

The storm is expected to cost over $20 billion, perhaps as much as $26 billion, which is more than the cost of 1992's Hurricane Andrew. Pacific Northwest Portal continues to provide special coverage of Katrina and its aftermath.