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Damage immeasurable at Six Flags New Orleans

8/31/2005

In the wake of the tragic destruction along the Gulf Coast of the United States following Hurricane Katrina, Six Flags New Orleans has suffered destruction similar to most of New Orleans' surroundings, and it will take time to measure the storm's true impact.Currently, the park sits underneath a deluge of water like 80 percent of the city, water which has flooded New Orleans up to over 20 feet in areas due to the initial storm surge of Katrina and subsequent failings of protective levees. At this time, of course, it is impossible to evaluate the true impact of the storm other than a scene of true destroyed chaos. In Six Flags New Orleans' specific case, buildings have been destroyed but the condition of rides is unknown.The park is home to three major steel coasters, but the coaster of most concern is the wood-tracked MegaZeph and its complex steel beam support structure. State building codes often require modern wooden coaster structures to withstand wind forces of up to 100 m.p.h. and higher in hurricane-prone regions, however, winds of Katrina reached some 145 m.p.h. as the storm made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane to the east of New Orleans around the park Monday morning.When the park was originally constructed in 1999 and 2000, it was built several feet over the land due to the area's elevation below sea level.While Six Flags New Orleans remains closed, Six Flags will be honoring tickets at the chain's other parks. We will post more information on the current condition of the park as we obtain it.However, in the midst of this tragedy, the condition of mere structures alone pales in comparison to the concern of casualties, and hundreds have been confirmed dead so far. Throughout this ordeal, our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.

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Italian Job on track for Kings Dominion

8/6/2005

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After over two years of speculation and rumors, it looks like the truth is finally out in Doswell, Virginia as to the identity of the ride to replace a growing void formerly home to attractions such as Diamond Falls, Freefallin', and the Sarari Amphiteater. In 2006, strap yourself into your Mini-Cooper and blast off once again.

Sources tell us that the information first came on a 2006 season pass teaser poster outside the main gates of Paramount's Kings Dominion boasting, "All New for 2006! The Italian Job Stunt Track," referring to the Paramount brand name coaster that first launched at sister parks Paramount's Kings Island in Ohio and Paramount Canada's Wonderland in Ontario this season.

Solidifying Paramount's Kings Dominion's title of the world's capital for launched coasters, if alike to its counterparts in nature, the new ride would not only become the park's 13th coaster, but also fourth launched coaster, pursuing 1996's Flight of Fear, 1998's Volcano: the Blast Coaster, and 2001's HyperSonic XLC: Xtreme Launch Coaster; and fifth historically, taking 1977's lateKing Kobra into account.

Bringing Kings Dominion's launch count up to seven, the triple-launching Italian Job Stunt Track features a family-friendly ride with a first blast-off of 40 m.p.h. and theming surrounding all parts of the layout to immerse riders in a simulated chase scene from the 2003 movie.

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Damage immeasurable at Six Flags New Orleans

Italian Job on track for Kings Dominion

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