Well, it's darn good thing. I'd hate to have to come over there
(p.s my observation was due to the coverage of how the roads get backed up during an exodus...like Florida....not just N.O.)
Posted on 09/28/2005 9:09:29 AM PDT by Linda1956
Americans learned after Hurricane Katrina. Or, did they?
Americans try to prepare for every possible disaster. They form huge bureaucracies such as Homeland Security, FEMA, and the Red Cross, and call in the National Guard to help with emergencies. With massive rehearsals, they attempt to anticipate every possible scenario. But, alas. Humans can only prepare so much.
You can have charts coming out the wazoo, but then something happens that is not on the chart. What to do? Such instances require common sense and flexibility, qualities not found in a bureaucracy.
As another powerful hurricane approached the Gulf Coast last week, residents heeded warnings and mandates to evacuate. Coming as it did on the heels of Hurricane Katrina, no one had to be convinced. Some 2-3 million fled to higher ground and safety, all according to carefully crafted plans.
In Wilson County, people came from all over as they took to back roads and rural areas to escape the nightmarish traffic on major thoroughfares.
La Vernia ran out of gasoline for a while on Friday, a story familiar in many areas along the route. There were massive traffic jams and fuel shortages, but the plan charted by FEMA worked.
Travelers arrived here after hours and hours of grueling traffic only to be told they had to continue on to San Antonio. Most did. The official evacuation site in this area was McCreless Mall in San Antonio.
Some evacuees were sheltered here by friends, family, and churches in “unofficial” shelters. In Floresville, workers arrived with their families as they accompanied nursing home residents brought here from Corpus Christi and Victoria. With no public accommodations available, private citizens opened their homes, churches opened their doors, and everyone opened their hearts to the evacuees.
Still, there was one family Friday night who had no place to stay. Members of the Floresville Chamber of Commerce made sure they had a place to spend the night and by Saturday evening one of the churches made room for them.
There were hundreds of such stories as coastal residents once again faced the wrath of nature.
As people arrived here exhausted, tired, and stressed, it may have seemed insane to send them another 30 miles to San Antonio. But, as one observer said, “The bureaucracy does not allow for common sense.”
Indeed. A bureaucratic organization has to follow its rules even in the face of what might seem ludicrous. While the bureaucracy of government organizations at times might seem totally out of whack, as one official noted, “Part of our success was due to the fact that they did not deviate from their plans.”
That’s where individuals, churches, and other civic organizations took over with their hearts as the official bureaucracy left off with its charts.
It’s understandable that there were glitches in something of this magnitude. But, what could have been a catastrophe was successfully handled by local, state, and federal government officials. It was a major event and devastating in some areas, but lives were saved.
It was amazing to see how it all came together. That’s what makes America be America. It’s like no other country in the world.
Of course, as we assess how one disaster was handled, we prepare for the next. While most proclaim a high degree of success this time, the next could be quite different.
There are some who remain unconvinced and blame the media for blowing it all out of proportion. Not so.
This storm was so massive; its strength ominous; and its potential for destruction so very real that, given the uncertainty of Mother Nature, it could have headed right straight for Wilson County just as easily as it did for the Texas-Louisiana border.
For the thousands who fled their homes only to return and find that nothing had happened after all, it might be more difficult next time to convince them to go.
Therein lies the problem. Evacuation went well this time; but will people be so willing to undergo this routine next time?
As we see life return to normal once again, let’s hope that we remember the lessons of Katrina and Rita.
I love this Editoral. Mrs. Kolodziej always uses common sense and his a strong supporter of our troops and our President.
Did anyone else see the videos of President Bush walking with Gov. Blanco today ( or maybe it was yesterday when he was there.) The body language was most telling. YOu can see the president several times attempting to talk to her. She never turns her head towards him or even speaks to him. The coldness was obvious to me. What kind of lady is she?
I think it's clear that there was a general lack of cooperation between her office and the federal govt and probably from what I'm hearing with mayor of New Orleans also.
bttt
The lesson is obvious ... "Don't get stuck on stupid."
BTTT
Americans learned after Hurricane Katrina.
Don't live on the gulf coast?
What I learned.
LIFE...IS...DANGEROUS.
"Americans learned after Hurricane Katrina."
Texans already knew ;)
"I think it's clear that there was a general lack of cooperation between her office and the federal govt and probably from what I'm hearing with mayor of New Orleans also."
Of course there was, but do you actually think she will take any blame when she can blame the federal government?
What I would like to see is the corrupt politicians in Louisiana explain away all the money sen to Louisiana to fix the levees and instead went elsewhere.
If anyone thinks that the outrage expressed toward FEMA and our President by Governor Blankho and the good mayor of New Orleans after hurricane Katrina was NOT designed and orchestrated by the DNC and Howard Dean then I have a bridge to sell to you.
Governor Blankho was merely following the script in the latest video that you saw.
Specifically, the money was used so that the city of New Orleans could build a marina on the lakefront. That's exactly where the money went.
Thanks for the ping, Linda.
I think one of the major problems I've seen in these cases, is the total lack of major highways out of endangered areas. It seems they only have one major highway leading out.
The same holds true for a lot of us up near major cities. In the event of a major disaster, we'd have a terrible time getting away.
The states need to work on this.
And, then of course, you have to blame that one or two vehicles at the beginning of the back up! MOVE IT!
BUMP!!!!
Ya'll add keywords and topics you may deem appropriate. I'm too new to get them all in or figure them out.
Linny
The unique geography of New Orleans limits roads/bridges. The areas that aren't roads are usually swamps. It is essentially an "island" on top of all the "soup bowl" humbug you hear.
Note to all of the naysayers of the evac in TX:
The evacuation of almost 3 million people in 48 hours WORKED, DUMMIES!
There is not one, NOT EVEN ONE, death attributable to wind and water as a result of the evacuation! Which part of that is it that you do not understand, DUMMIES!
( Note: Not calling you a dummy. I have much better sense than that. Just using your post as a small rant directed toward only the naysayers. )
Being located on the ocean, next to a lake or river, or surrounded by swamp does geographically limit avenues of escape for these towns.
Well, it's darn good thing. I'd hate to have to come over there
(p.s my observation was due to the coverage of how the roads get backed up during an exodus...like Florida....not just N.O.)
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