The bridge was closed; That's clear.
Just as dusk set in, a Gretna Sheriff showed up, jumped out of his patrol vehicle, aimed his gun at our faces, screaming, "Get off the fucking freeway". A helicopter arrived and used the wind from its blades to blow away our flimsy structures. As we retreated, the sheriff loaded up his truck with our food and water.
I just don't buy the 'stealing our food, using a helicopter to destroy our shelter stuff.'
I just don't buy the 'stealing our food, using a helicopter to destroy our shelter stuff.'
I agree that much of it maybe hype.... But the bridge was closed as a part of their security plans it seems. I don't even disagree with it at the time they did it as they didn't have forces to protect the area they were trying to guard. I think the final assessments of this event will show that communications was one of the failures that must be addressed for future use.
We went through an experience where I live though not devastating to our area like this storm was to NO and points east. It was when Hurricane Andrew wiped out Homestead Fl and then came west into the Gulf and looked like it was taking dead aim on the LA/TX border. Evacuations were ordered and it was a fiasco. There was no planning, no communications, nothing and had the storm came into the area as a 4/5 it would have been devastating.
As a result of the fiasco it made the area aware of the needs. A regional plan was developed and signed off on by all entities involved. Hopefully it will work when it is needed.