They were so clearly warned years in advance, and then with Katrina herself, days in advance. Plenty of time to evacuate people. I think you still would have seen a horrible mess. Look at Mississippi. It was still going to be a brutal mess. But the mass of refugees from NO could have been better handled. It's bizarre, because the threat was there, but I personally wasn't keenly aware that the city of NO was at risk of this type of event. I simply wasn't aware. I am sure it's very shocking to a lot of people. It's the most shocking thing I've seen since 9-11. And Mississippi looks to be real bad off too.
Most of us on the Gulf Coast have known for years that New Orleans was below sea-level and sinking more every year. There have been newspaper articles written, graphics drawn, reports made. It was no secret.
Having a personal plan in case of a disaster in your town or city is obviously the best plan. Supplies, non perishable food, water and water purification pills, first aid, radios operating on batteries or cranks, flash lights, candles etc. and the knowledge of how to take care of yourself is the best defense.
Watching the thousands of pitiful people flooded out in New Orleans gives new meaning to preparedness. The displaced and now homeless population of that city will have to elect those who will return to rebuild their neighborhoods and homes. I hope that corps of volunteers starts immediately and are ready to go just as soon as it is possible for rebuilding to begin. Massive bonfires will be necessary to clean up all the wreckage and trash and the quicker this can start the better for health as well as cleanup – so tell the EPA to stuff it; smoke in this sense will mean progress is beginning and the people have work to do – the best medicine of all.
If the levees don't breech, do we even have these discussions ?