Rain, Pollution Feared as New Orleans Reopens

Results of environmental testing released Friday showed high levels of oil, diesel fuel and E. coli -- largely from flooded vehicles, fuel tanks and human waste -- in the mud, but a surprisingly low level of hazardous chemicals or metals. Multiple oil spills caused by Katrina have exacerbated the petroleum contamination by depositing an estimated 160,000 barrels of oil beneath the mouth of the Mississippi River. Authorities said they are making progress on about six of the 35 to 40 spills.

"We still have a lot of oil in the water," said Roland Guidry, a state oil spill coordinator who called the initial cleaning process a logistical nightmare. He said a maritime administration ship slated to house up to 500 workers was due to dock today.

Officials warned that when the mud now covering much of the city dries, it could emit dust that is especially hazardous to people with respiratory and heart problems.

"The danger is actually worse when the water goes away, because you have hazardous materials more concentrated in muck and dust," said Hugh Kaufman, a senior policy analyst at the Environmental Protection Agency's office of solid waste and emergency response. "People will ... try to clean their homes or porches, and they'll have toxic dust they'll be sweeping around. And they'll inhale it and ingest it."

Despite such warnings, there were signs of revitalized life in New Orleans' debris-strewn downtown as workers prepared for a low-key reopening. The W Hotel jumped the gun, reopening Friday. It is booked with insurance adjusters, relief crews and emergency maintenance workers. The bar didn't have customers, but all 50 candles were lit.

"It feels unbelievably wonderful to be working again," said Jennifer Childress, one of the bartenders. Her home in the Lakeview neighborhood had flooded. She didn't have insurance. "Nothing I can do about it. Better to work and make money and try to rebuild then sit around and cry and blame someone. Especially since there's no one to blame."

Ray Menard and M.C. Brown sat in front of their apartment building on the edge of the central business district, musing on the day and drinking from a large bottle of Bolla Valpolicella. The wine was a gift from some Germans who were departing the city. "We depend on the kindness of strangers," said Menard.

The two men, in their late 70s, were the only ones who hadn't evacuated from their building. "All the rats left the sinking ship," said Menard. "When they find it didn't sink, they'll come back."

That process will start Monday.

"We'll have to hide the beer," Brown said.

Powers reported from Baton Rouge, Streitfeld from New Orleans and Cone from Los Angeles. Times staff writers Nicholas Riccardi in New Orleans and Lianne Hart in Baton Rouge contributed to this report.