Hurricane Ivan may kill up to 50,000

A MONSTER hurricane was approaching the southern US last night, threatening to destroy the city of New Orleans and forcing two million people to flee.

Emergency officials warned that Hurricane Ivan could be "The One" - and in the worst-case scenario 50,000 people might drown.

New Orleans could be devastated under 20 feet of water laced with sewage and chemicals if directly hit by "Ivan the Terrible".

Ivan's 140mph winds have already torn through the Caribbean, killing 68 people, as the storm approached the Gulf of Mexico.

More than 1.2 million people were ordered out of New Orleans, which is situated below sea level.

Another three-quarters of a million were told to flee the coast in Florida, Mississippi and Alabama.

Roads became gridlocked as people tried to escape the coastal areas.

Despite the dire warnings, an estimated 100,000 people in New Orleans have no means or money to evacuate.

And because of the threat of widespread flooding, city officials have not set up local shelters because nowhere appears safe enough.

Those who were unable to leave New Orleans have been told to prepare for a "vertical evacuation" - climbing to the top of high buildings.

Walter Maestri, an emergency manager in New Orleans, said he had 10,000 body bags ready in case of disaster.

He said if Ivan remained a Category Four storm and hit New Orleans, 50,000 people could drown and the city could effectively be destroyed.

"This could be The One.. You're talking about the potential loss of a major metropolitan area," he said.

Forecasters have warned the storm may even grow to become a top-strength Category Five hurricane, with 160mph winds, by the time it hits land.

Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour said: "I beg people on the coast: Do not ride this storm out."

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin said there was about a one-in-four chance his city would take a direct hit from Ivan.

"If we get a storm like Ivan to hit us directly, or to come really close to us, then we could have a situation where we have 12 to 18 feet of water throughout the city," he said.

Ivan could be the worst hurricane to hit New Orleans in nearly 40 years.

Hurricane Betsy in 1965 caused an eight to 10-foot storm surge and submerged parts of the city in seven feet of water.

Seventy-four people were killed in Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida by Betsy.

But Ivan could be much worse, with chemicals, natural gas and sewage from local facilities mixing with the flood water to create a toxic soup.

In Alabama, Governor Bob Riley ordered evacuation of coastal resorts.

"This is a serious storm that requires serious action to get people out of harm's way," he said.

Parts of Florida, which has already taken hits from hurricanes Charley and Frances in the past month, was also preparing for Ivan.

The hurricane barrage appeared no closer to coming to an end.

Tropical Storm Jeanne, which is approaching Puerto Rico, is also threatening to turn into a hurricane.

Winds of 70mph have already been recorded.

"The biggest concern for Puerto Rico is flash flooding and mudslides," said a meteorologist.