Tropical Storm Nate aims at New Orleans amid worries about drainage system

Chicago Tribune/AP ^ | 6-Oct-2017 | Stacey Plaisance and Kevin McGill

[topher]

When Tropical Storm Nate formed and forecasts put New Orleans in its projected path for this weekend, one big question loomed for residents and business owners: Will the pumps work?

"That's now a thought in everybody who lives in New Orleans," said Devin Shearman, a manager at Katie's restaurant and lounge, which flooded during an unexpected rainstorm Aug. 5. It was one of two flash floods this past summer that led to revelations about personnel and equipment problems at the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board, the agency that runs the pumping system that drains the city.

Some pumps weren't working. Some turbines that provide power to the pumps were down. There weren't enough people on hand to man the system.

[topher]

Not all the pumps are working. This is ridiculous. New Orleans had this problem when Hurricane Harvey hit Texas, and it is still a major problem.

There is one common factor now that was true when Katrina hit Louisiana as is true today:

Louisiana has a Democratic Governor

And New Orleans has a Democratic Mayor.

[topher]

I consider this criminal that this is true.

Any competent MAYOR and GOVERNOR would have gotten this fixed since the time of Hurricane Harvey.

Mitch Landrieu has an excuse: is a Landrieu.

But John Bel Edwards is a graduate of West Point and was SUPPOSEDLY a Major in the 82nd Airborne.

[dfwgator]

And yet the media will be a Republican as always.

[dfwgator]

s/b

And yet the media will blame a Republican as always.

[353FMG]

Louisiana has a Democratic Governor

And New Orleans has a Democratic Mayor.

---

That combination is a guaranteed recipe for disaster

[easternsky]

I can hear them now SEND MONEY LOTS OF IT

[aquila48]

According to the media and the Rats Playbook, it will be Trump’s fault.

[Jane Long]

0blama didn’t fix this swamp. Shame on 0blama.

[umgud]

Drain the swamp.

[Jane Long]

Louisiana has a Democratic Governor

And New Orleans has a Democratic Mayor.

---

How’s that working for ya, mon cher?

[poinq]

Actually, Nate is aiming straight at Mobile Alabama, two states away. Only one model has it hitting Louisiana, And one model has it hitting Mississippi. And one has it hitting Florida. So its a tight little area that all the other models have it going to. And that is Mobile. Not a great story. But fake news often sells more than real news.

[Jeff Chandler]

CHOCOLATE SURPRISE

[plain talk]

New Orleans pumping stations were and maybe still are custom pumps put in place long ago. Not trivial to repair and replace them.

here is one fairly recent report.

http://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/article_3334a4d8-8f43-11e7-8836-6b5c5a71f9b8.html

[LucyT]

They’ve had twelve years to get ready for their next hurricane.

.

[txnativegop]

they were too busy showing their rage at the rest of the country to think about preventing a similar occurrence in the future.

And now, that future is here.

liberal hand wringing and whining writ large coming soon to a media outlet near you.

[TheBattman]

New Orleans is yet again demonstrating their overwhelming entitlement mentality.

Let see - the city and area has had “drainage issues” for how long? It’s entire life (a very long time). Katrina happened how long ago? And how much Federal $$$ flowed in?

But no - they are upset because others didn’t come in and do everything for them - at no cost at all to them.

At what point will NO take responsibility for themselves? AT what point do they step up?

[topher]

The Federal Gov't pumped billions into Louisiana because of Katrina. They could have at least fixed the pumps...

But then before Trump we had President Obama-mess. And Mayor Mitch Landrieu of New Orleans. Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards (being a West Point Grad) should be doing a better job -- even if Mayor Mitch fumbles the ball constantly...

[trebb]

I heard 108 of 120 are up and running - not bad for such pieces of equipment.

[suthener]

Thanks for a shot of reality. All they’re talking about is New Orleans. The NHC prediction line is right over my house in Mobile County. I’m not nervous about survival, but very nervous about damage and dreading the inevitable hours of yard cleanup and potential days without power. Before anyone starts saying “oh it’s just a cat 1” I live in the country on a private road with lots of trees. Lines are very vulnerable and low priority for power restoration.

[Caipirabob]

You know what? If they didn't get that fixed after Katrina I am not even getting involved in this matter.

If I read one event related to the dereliction of their leaders to correct these issues I will simply disregard the entire event.

Suck it up, chocolate city.