And all transpiring under a shadow, one made all too evident early last week when the city experienced a collective shudder as the spinning cyclonic shape of Hurricane Bill appeared on TV screens.

CNN: Commentary: Does Obama care about New Orleans?

Mr. BILL PROENZA (Director, National Hurricane Center): I was concerned that there was nothing on the books and nothing in the process of our budget process that showed that indeed NOAA was planning for what I would consider the next generation replacement for QuikSCAT, especially since it's in on borrowed time as we speak.

NPR: Hurricane Center Weathers Own Storm

Mayor BILL WHITE (Houston): If the hurricane comes in at a particular angle and a particular location, being on the highway is a death trap.

NPR: Gridlock Hampers Texas Evacuation Efforts

W. Bush, and former President Bill Clinton to spearhead an international relief effort for hurricane victims, similar to the effort they undertook for victims of last year's tsunami in South Asia.

CNN: Bush tells victims: 'A lot of help coming'

W. (Bill) Jasper arrived in Orlando for a convention just as Hurricane Rita was finishing her tear across the state.

FORBES: Seeing in Dolby

"While my heart goes out to the victims of Hurricane Sandy, it is unacceptable for Congress to use this disaster as a justification for passing a bill chock-full of pork barrel spending, " Georgia Republican Paul Broun said on Monday.

BBC: US House approves Sandy aid package of $51bn

If you live in a hurricane-prone area of the United States it is just possible that the size of your next insurance bill will be affected by what is found in some holes in the mud in Louisiana.

ECONOMIST: Eye on the storm | The