Rats…

December 3, 2006 | 12:34 AM

It comes as no surprise that following a disaster (and the slow rebuilding process), New Orleans has seen a rise in its rodent population. When I moved back in June, the school administration said the dorms would be open in August. That August date was pushed back time and time again, and the dorms (well, two of the three) reopened just before and just after Thanksgiving Break. In the meantime, our overflow of students were forced to bunk (some 4 or 6 to a room) in the Nelson Price Center for Urban Missions until the dorms reopened. We had reports of mice there, and it seems they’ve also moved into the dorms. Granted, I haven’t seen these rodents myself, but I’ve got friends who have. At a recent dorm meeting, a girl said there were mice in the girls’ dorm. The men’s dorm resident assistant said, “At least they’re not rats.” I guess this explains the many stray cats I see around campus.

But where NOBTS has almost finished its rebuilding, the rest of the city is nowhere close. Tonight while watching WGNO ABC News post-football, I saw a report that the rats have become intelligent enough to invade FEMA trailers. One man had been “gnawed on” by a rat. Now, large traps are being distributed among residents in St. Bernard Parish (I think). I can’t find the exact story online, but I did see that FEMA is going to start removing dead trees from private property, because of the potential for rat infestation.

First, the flood. Second, the rats. Third, the plague.

It’s coming.