I predict that when the water recedes, we will see a whole lot of cars in the flooded neighborhood where nobody owns a car because they are too poor. While there will be dead bodies, I don't expect tens of thousands. I do expect 1,000 - 1,500, which should NEVER happen in this country when we have the resources LIKE SCHOOL BUSES AND CITY BUSES to get people out in time.
Don't forget satellites, radar, and extremely accurate predictive modelling. Imagine back in the day before all of that. How many days advance notice did the Governer have to at least get the busses ready?
The numbers I am fearful of are how many will be found in attics. Apparently in some areas the water rose very rapidly and people headed for the 2nd floor, then as the water continued rising into the attic. How many took a crow bar or other tool to break through the roof?
Then how many were able to survive the heat in an attic for 48 or 96 hours?
Also when the water started receeding, how many hips and legs were broken dropping back down from the attic? You don't have to be very old or unskilled at jumping to break a hip dropping down from the ceiling to the floor.