There are numerous inaccuracies flying about. The Convention Center was not a designated shelter for this storm. It seemed that some of the populace headed that way when they observed the National Guard searching those who wanted entry to the Superdome.
Mary L. did not appear with Vitter, she appeared in an airconditioned studio in D.C. with Chris Wallace. Vitter was in the Astrodome parking lot.
Agreed that the Convention Center was not a designated shelter. Also agreed that some people wandered ther on their own. But according to reports, some people were sent there by local officials.
People in the crowd say police officials directed them there to await transportation out of the city, but no help has arrived.http://www.nbc4.tv/news/4925485/detail.html
City officials said they might open the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center as a temporary refuge to shelter an estimated 50,000 people made homeless by the storm.Times-Picayune Breaking News Weblog - Tuesday, Aug 30
A man in a passing pickup truck from the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries [tasked, BTW, with all SAR under NOLA's disaster plan] finally directed Wallace and the 50 other evacuees under the overpass to the convention center.
I watched the coverage for a closely and very surprised when the Convention Center was mentioned; no one had previously mentioned it as a shelter.
Not to be critical, but why didn't the media know?