Perspective

The Burmese cyclone is approaching and expected to surpass 10,000 casualties... Here is some perspective from other storms:

• Hurricane Katrina, US, 2005 - at least 1,836 dead
• Orissa Cyclone, 1999, Northern India - at least 10,000 dead
• Hurricane Mitch, 1998, Central America - at least 11,000 dead
• Typhoon Thelma, 1991, Philippines - 6,000 dead
• Bangladesh cyclone, 1991 - about 138,000 dead
• Bhola cyclone, 1970 - at least 300,000 dead

The BBC news online has reported that 75-80% of Rangoon has been destroyed. The school is in Rangoon. As of now it's just a waiting game to see what the status is...