Hurricane Katrina

[nono]

I think it is important to remember that this is a double whammy:

1. hurricane coming through and looking like it let "New Orleans off easy, once again" as one major news report mentioned at the time, so people started to relax
2. then poof, three breaches in the levee system that essentially sunk the city

Having an engineering failure while all systems are not up (electricity, communications, etc) is a nightmare, both real and logistical, that can halt anyone. Twenty feet depth of water covers most homes completely -- and it's a basin...nowhere for run off, so with time you don't get any relief from nature.

Carolfoy, I think it is wonderful that you volunteered your time -- I'm sure that those who receive your donation will be grateful forever. As an ex-NYCer, who lived through Sept. 11, I think the comparison is off...New York City is a super-large city with available wealth...New Orleans is a smaller city with much less wealth, and I think probably the mayor there has a lot less resources to start with... For example, the State of New York (not the people, but the govt.) just donated $2.5 mil to the relief effort. There's more taxpayers and more money to tax than in Louisiana...so it's possible to do something like that.

I think it is also important to note that the New Orleans mayor called for mandatory evacuation on Sunday, and those who could not leave were told to bring 5 days supply of food,water and medicine to the Superdome. So, I think that last part of the orders is what people missed -- it seems like officials knew it would be difficult (even without the levees breaking) to get to the folks there quickly. Here's a link to a story from Sunday before the hurricane to give you some historical perspective: http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050828/ap_on_re_us/hurricane_katrina

It's a horrible situation, and we will learn from it. I'm sure many mistakes were made and tragic consequences result. It's what we do now to help those who remain that will determine what kind of people we are.

 

[vic32]

As someone who lived in Biloxi for 6 yrs, then New Orleans for 10. I am
in disbelief. The plantation we were married at is gone, my oldest child was
born in N.O.. Every place I lived/worked at in Biloxi/ Gulfport is gone. I mean gone!!
I am sure many people stayed behind and ignored the evacuation, because the city has always missed the bullet.And with the 2 main bridges into the city gone- its extremly difficult to get in there. It's a tragedy all the way around. On a happy note my family in North Biloxi are doing alot better than others in the area. They have weathered storms before and have generaors and supplies. They are blessed to still have their home. I pray for all the little children,these families need our help. Thank you for all your help

 

[kathleena]

Nono - I will second the things you have said. Comparisons to NYC and even to the tsumani are only relevant in terms of shock and despair in my mind.

The area devastated is far larger than the area in NYC. It goes from west of NO to Alabama and 100 miles inland and beyond. It takes a lot of resources to get supplies and people into that large of an area. Of course there will be many people who don't receive required help immediately. It is just impossible. It doesn't make it any less heartbreaking tho.

And the Superdome, from what I heard - was maxed out on Sunday before the hurricane - and still received up to 10,000 additional people per day after the storm. And yes - they did tell them to bring food and water for 5 days when they were evacuating.

But the news is now on 24/7 with this coverage and they have to fill up airtime. They have gone from reporting real news - to speculating, highlighting isolated incidences, finding and prioritizing the sensational. The real facts are that people are working very very hard to do everything they can.

We are an immediate gratification society and expect things to go much faster - we will beat the what-ifs and the who-done-its to death for years. Just the other day - I read an article saying the Saudi gov't warned the UK about the July bombing. We all get it! The fact is - it's not like all this stuff is stockpiled waiting for the next disaster. It has to be organized, gathered together and put on it's way. It then has to work around the major highways that are destroyed leading into the areas - getting trees and debris off the roads so the convoys can even get through. All of the roads leading into NO are underwater except one. And remember - there are gasoline shortages and all the trucks and buses have to stop to refill somewhere - where do you think they are getting the fuel? This is a logistical nightmare!

For all of our UK friends - thanks so much for whatever you are doing to help. You all know that we would do the same for you! I don't know how far it is from the eastern point of England to the western point of Ireland or from north to south - but I'm betting the area affected here would cover the whole of it. If this happened to you, you would be relying on Europe mainland to help you - as you would be totally knocked out! Isn't that a horrifying thought in more ways than one (read: would you rather have us or the French? LOL) !!!

 

[carolfoy]

(read: would you rather have us or the French? LOL)

US every time, thanks