Remember also that these are not the average citizens of the city. These people are the poor and homeless and the others that had no means of evacuating the city before the storm came. Of course, this counts for nearly 30% of the city's entire population. Over 50% of New Orleans citizens did not own cars, opting instead to rely upon the city's public transportation systems. Now, tired and fearful for their lives and having gone days without food or water, people are beginning to act desperate. Another problem showing itself is in the surrounding cities where these people have evacuated to. Lafayette, Alexandria, and even Houston residents are seeing a surge in robberies, carjackings, break-ins, muggings, and crime in general. Gun stores are being broken into. Citizens of Louisiana are strapping on their handguns to go to work in the morning. I never once felt welcome in the city of New Orleans, so I can't imagine what these people expect, especially when they can't learn to conduct themselves in a civilized and orderly manner. Most of the ones I've talked to here in my hometown of Lafayette, louisiana (now housing 20,000 of these refugees) don't plan on going back, especially after seeing how the other citizens of the city are conducting themselves. I don't plan on ever even visiting again, If they ever get these animals out of my town.
"Now, tired and fearful for their lives and having gone days without food or water, people are beginning to act desperate."
They started looting the very first day. They had plenty of warning so that they could have filled jugs with water and they could eat can goods for a few days. You act like they started to starve to death right after the hurricane hit. That is just silly.
Great sympathy for the good folks of Louisiana who will surely bear the jibes and insults coming your way as a result of conduct by some in NO.
How did Houma fare?
Once these folks are re-located to another city they won't be leaving. When December rolls around, the Houston Astro Dome will still be full of people. These are not people who are used to taking care of themselves. They are the chronically un-employed. They are uneducated, unskilled and lack motivation. They have lived on government assistance for generations. The small checks that they receive are supplemented with food stamps, free housing, WIC, Medicaid, food pantries, and I could go on and on. Those people who can take care of themselves either evacuated before the storm or have made other arrangements for their long term needs. I'm not sure that Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas have enough government housing available for the long term. The residents of these cities who are already taking advantage of government housing and programs are now going to have to compete with the N.O. people and they won't be happy. Other cities have to step up to the plate now and take some of these people.
There were reports that many/most of the city's busses (not counting the school busses) were under water now, not having been used to assist in the "mandatory evacuation" prior to the storm. Those reports have stopped now, but I wonder how many people would still be alive if the city's evacuation plan had used the busses to convey people out of town - or at least to the railroad station.
There's a lot of politicians crying about what hasn't happened in order to cover up for what should have happened, IMO.
I've been to New Orleans twice, once on business and once on vacation. I loved both trips there, but I can also say that I also felt more unsafe there than I have in any other city I've been in.
I grew up outside New York City and have been all over the country, in nearly every major city. Not even NYC in it's bad years ever gave me the red-alert hair-on-the-neck-raised kind of feeling that N.O. did. I've got some pretty good street-smarts from growing up where I did, and the alarm bells were ringing the entire time I was there, both times.
It's really a shame. Old N.O. was/is a beautiful place with a lot of cool history and culture, but the thug element was ruining it even before the flood.
Maybe some day I'll make it over to your area. I've wanted to take a driving tour outside of N.O. and see the real Lousiana but haven't made it yet. Closest I got was 2 bus trips, one to Oak Alley plantation and another to a swamp tour in Westwego.
LQ
I've heard others say that, and I just don't believe it.
There were three days of warnings, plenty of time to walk to higher ground, or take a $1 bus ride.
If I'm not mistaken, FEMA and/or the state of LA was even offering bus rides and temporary shelter prior to Sunday when the storm hit.
I've heard others say that, and I just don't believe it.
There were three days of warnings, plenty of time to walk to higher ground, or take a $1 bus ride.
If I'm not mistaken, FEMA and/or the state of LA was even offering bus rides and temporary shelter prior to Sunday when the storm hit.
At the city's convention center, a frustrated and angry mob rioted, furious that they had been dumped at a place where there was no food, no water and no one in charge.
N.O. own disaster preparation guide tells people that shelters are a refuge of LAST RESORT and that they need to bring their OWN food, water, bedding and medical supplies.
Even the poorest should have been able to fill some water jugs and stock some food supplies.
The big lesson is that we need to remember. Bad people behave badly and criminals will commit crimes whenever they have the opportunity. Unfortunately the aftermath of Katrina has given the criminals way too many opportunities.
Good people have a right and a duty to defend themselves and others against this.