W and governors on CNN

[Teresa]

This situation really cannot be compared to 911. 911 did not cause mass rioting, an angry mob, or looting/beating/rape. 911 did not involve starvation or dehydration for thousands and thousands of people trapped alive and waiting for rescue. Most of 911 involved recovering and banding together after the fact. This is an entirely different situation.

A lot of it could have been prevented. But pointing fingers now will only cause further breakdown.

my thoughts exactly BD - 9/11 and Katrina cannot be compared (in nearly any respect).

I am sure there are some really good NO cops, firefighters and emergency responders (I've know a few good/dedicated ones) - but from what I've seen, there were just not enough of them to even begin to do the job. and they are currently experiencing the devastating aftermath, along with everyone else left in NO. (yes, there is corruption - but that is another matter).

I believe that we can not begin to imagine what the situation for local emergency responders has been like and is like right now. Hopeless, I would guess - and this in itself is devastating to the souls of emergency responders - to be ineffective in the face of disaster.

Thank God for all those thousands and thousands of guards, troopers, emergency responders, medical personnel, bus drivers, rescuers, red cross volunteers and everyone in communites across the US giving and doing so much!

 

[Cil]

I would agree that it is important to get these victims aid and restore the security of this area ASAP, and that pointing fingers is not a constructive endeavor at this time. But where is the accountability here, in general? The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans may be a huge wake-up call for our country.

I am thinking that we are far more vulnerable domestically for lack of vital funding, resources, and local security forces (including National Guard) than is advisable in this day and time or than the average citizen is aware of. If it's true that "they are watching," then are we? Wake up, America. There is a message in every crisis and this one may go far behind levies and building codes.

Well said Donna.

Who will replace the Guard/Reserve/Active military being sent to the area if/when they were supposed to replace people in Iraq?

THAT will be an interesting shuffle considering we're talking about 30,000+ military members being sent to the area.

 

[BeachDreamer]

my thoughts exactly BD - 9/11 and Katrina cannot be compared (in nearly any respect).

I am sure there are some really good NO cops, firefighters and emergency responders (I've know a few good/dedicated ones) - but from what I've seen, there were just not enough of them to even begin to do the job. and they are currently experiencing the devastating aftermath, along with everyone else left in NO. (yes, there is corruption - but that is another matter).

I believe that we can not begin to imagine what the situation for local emergency responders has been like and is like right now. Hopeless, I would guess - and this in itself is devastating to the souls of emergency responders - to be ineffective in the face of disaster.

Thank God for all those thousands and thousands of guards, troopers, emergency responders, medical personnel, bus drivers, rescuers, red cross volunteers and everyone in communites across the US giving and doing so much!

Amen Tootsie! I hope that once we are past this (or more importantly, NOW) we can hear and see some accounts of the heroes that have risked everything and lived through hell to do their jobs and help people. Doctors, nurses, policemen, and private citizens, who have so far gone largely unnoticed and unappreciated in the midst of the evil that seems to take the spotlight. We can still turn this into a story of hope and compassion.

 

[Cil]

"Doctors, nurses, policemen, and private citizens, who have so far gone largely unnoticed and unappreciated in the midst of the evil that seems to take the spotlight. We can still turn this into a story of hope and compassion."
Agreed, BeachDreamer.

I just hope that it will also be a learning experience.

Has anyone seen this article? It is from the Civil Engineering section of Scientific American and is eerily prescient.
Drowning New Orleans

 

[JB]

Not entirely true. NOLA has been begging for support to strengthen the levees. The contraflow plan which saved thousands of lives only started in Ivan and was the result of a lot of work. Much has been done to educate people about the risks. I used to ride out storms. Because of the effort, I got out this time. The prep for this storm was very good. It is what they did afterwards that boggles the mind. The damage from the hurricane was something we could live with. Even the levee break. That might be shocking to out of towners but NOLA people know about water.

It is the damage from their corrupt, incompetent "decisions" (I doubt whether they have the mental capacity to make a decision, thus the quotes) from Monday morning on that is difficult to accept.

But, FEMA has been working with NOLA for years on this. Were they so concerned about front-end stuff they forgot about what to do after the storm?

But you are right that generally it is a completely incompetent backwater.

T2M, I respect your opinion because I know you have live there, but the NHC provided three days of advance warning about this storm. The city engineers know the vulnerable spots in the levees. They had time to mobilze and at least attempt to address the problem. As would be expected from NOLA government, they did nothing. Had Nagin ordered the evac 24 hours earlier, much of this could have been avoided.

 

[Travel2Much]

T2M, I respect your opinion because I know you have live there, but the NHC provided three days of advance warning about this storm. The city engineers know the vulnerable spots in the levees. They had time to mobilze and at least attempt to address the problem. As would be expected from NOLA government, they did nothing. Had Nagin ordered the evac 24 hours earlier, much of this could have been avoided.

The hurricane damage (property) could not have been avoided. This has been predicted for years and people have been urged and urged and urged:

http://www.nola.com/hurricane/?/washingaway/

It was going to come, sooner or later. You seem to think we are a bunch of stupid dissolute yokels who don't get off our duffs and put away our shotguns until someone makes something mandatory. I am no defender of the government, but early Sat am the city went into high alert, at least those that had a brain. Nagin has this bizarre view that all evacuations are voluntary, since it is impossible for many to evacuate. There is this bizarre reluctance to use the Dome as a shelter, after an unpleasant near riot a decade or so ago there. Do I agree with it? No. Would a "mandatory" evacuation earlier have helped? I doubt it. The same people would have stayed. The statement "Leave now. We beg you" on Sat morning is pretty close. That didn't work.

Louisianans are very idiosyncratic about leaving their homes. Never had figured it out.

I think other people are right that deconstructing this right now is perhaps a bit premature. You may rest assured that many stranded, pissed off lawyers in the Big Easy are itching to raise many of the issues you raise.

Forgot to add--evacuations in this area are governed by a regional agreement, designed to ensure contraflow as a chance to work. NOLA proper is the last to go.

 

[JB]

Please don't think I am issuing a blanket indictment of the citizenry of New Orleans. Hell, I have numerous friends there (some of which I have yet to hear from). I am speaking strictly of Nagin (and Morial before him), as well as the NOPD and the rest of the city planners. They are lazy, corrupt and took almost no steps to prepare for this.

 

[Travel2Much]

Please don't think I am issuing a blanket indictment of the citizenry of New Orleans. Hell, I have numerous friends there (some of which I have yet to hear from). I am speaking strictly of Nagin (and Morial before him), as well as the NOPD and the rest of the city planners. They are lazy, corrupt and took almost no steps to prepare for this.

I think Nagin is going to have a tough time seeking re-election. I just hope we don't get a complete utter flaming lunatic. And, I doubt that it will become highly fashionable to wear "NOPD" clothing around the country to express patriotism.

 

[Rita]

"Doctors, nurses, policemen, and private citizens, who have so far gone largely unnoticed and unappreciated in the midst of the evil that seems to take the spotlight. We can still turn this into a story of hope and compassion."
Agreed, BeachDreamer.

I just hope that it will also be a learning experience.

Has anyone seen this article? It is from the Civil Engineering section of Scientific American and is eerily prescient.
Drowning New Orleans

Cil,
Thanks for the link to the article. Was very much worth reading.

 

[Smiling JOe]

T2M, I respect your opinion because I know you have live there, but the NHC provided three days of advance warning about this storm. The city engineers know the vulnerable spots in the levees. They had time to mobilze and at least attempt to address the problem. As would be expected from NOLA government, they did nothing. Had Nagin ordered the evac 24 hours earlier, much of this could have been avoided.

JB, I could be mistaken, but I think that three days out, we thought Katrina was coming to Panama City Beach and SoWal.