It has (by me) and so of course I think it's a good idea. This disaster showed, finally, the difficulties with getting a large number of people out of a city efficiently and quickly. I think major city disaster plans are going to have to deal with this lesson, and I think trains will play into it. The trains could also be loaded with pre-positioned containers of food, equipment, and shelter.
Excellent idea regarding the emergency staples supplied on the trains. Have you heard of this being suggested as a plan or are you and I the only ones in the world to think of this......?
I can tell you this.
My brother-in-law was a tugboat captain on the Intercaostal waterway there for a decade or two.
Back in the 1980s he, my sister and their kids moved to Decature Alabama and he is in charge of running most of the barges and tugs down the Tennessee River now.
They were planning on coming here this Labor Day weekend, and I just got off the phone with her.
My brother-in-law's company was just bought out a little while ago by a big company (can't remember the name of it), but she said his company lost several barges and tugs at the mouth of the Mississippi, some offshore at New Orleans, etc.
They also own a few of the gas pipelines there, which my Sis said they were talking about on TV earlier, and can't get to. Also a lot of trucking interests, etc.
She said they were sending diving scavenger teams there as we speak to retrieve the lost stuff. I really, despite her hoping, think they won't make it here. And they wanted to come because they are worried about my Mom, who I had to take to the Emergency Room this week with a minor stroke (working up to a bigger one).
I don't know if I'd trust train rails in Louisiana in this situation. They would probably wash out too.
I think they need a massive effort with helicopters (landing on roofs), and the right kind of boats to get things in check.
I am not an expert, but I did live in Louisiana (Lake Charles area) for years. And I can tell you that place was a cesspool before this hurricane, and all the looting and stuff doesn't surprise me.
I also know there are a lot of sportsmen there with guns and an attitude.
I'm glad I am not there and God help these people.
I fear it will get a whole lot worse.