[lasisra]

Does NOLA not prepare for these situations, and provide special needs shelters (for the elderly and the sick), as well as transportation to the shelters?

Dang...I mean, Panama City's not perfect, but at least before every storm the local TV and radio stations broadcast repeatedly where the regular and special needs shelters are, and the county (working with the Red Cross) makes sure that there are enough shelters to accommodate those who need them. Also, we've got public and private groups who give free transportation to a shelter to anyone who needs it.

Doesn't NOLA do this?

[hoosiermama]

Does NOLA not prepare for these situations, and provide special needs shelters (for the elderly and the sick), as well as transportation to the shelters?

Dang...I mean, Panama City's not perfect, but at least before every storm the local TV and radio stations broadcast repeatedly where the regular and special needs shelters are, and the county (working with the Red Cross) makes sure that there are enough shelters to accommodate those who need them. Also, we've got public and private groups who give free transportation to a shelter to anyone who needs it.

Doesn't NOLA do this?

The radio program I heard yesterday said that the shelters they had would have been fine for a catagory III hurricane, but the level of wind and potential for flooding made the regular shelters unusable.....The dome was the shelter of last resort....and they weren't even sure it would be safe....They used as many buses as possible (although the city buses were not working, people walked...Generally they did the best they could....

[plain talk]

Dang...I mean, Panama City's not perfect, but at least before every storm the local TV and radio stations broadcast repeatedly where the regular and special needs shelters are, and the county (working with the Red Cross) makes sure that there are enough shelters to accommodate those who need them.

I doubt Panama City houses 20,000 in shelters. There was footage of the buses used to bring people to the Superdome. Looks like there was a plan of sorts.