OT: Hurricane damage in the South

Mark

Is that not what good planning is all about?

I sure would look at a different area to make my home tho.

T_Bone

I have a tremendous amount of respect for you and the knowledge you share on this board. I have found it invaluable on many occassions. However, in this situation the government is not the party on which to lay blame. As you said, it was known for days in advance this hurricane was coming. In fact, the guessers thought it would be more powerful than it was. For the folks that stayed, it was THEIR decision. This country was founded on the strength of individuals and the good decisions they made. Lets not blame the government in times like this. The government will come around, but the folks need to take care of themselves and their families first. Further, individuals in areas not affected need to step up to the proverbial plate and help out. Organizations are working to help in the best ways possible. Cash is king n times like these. For those thinking about "What a Tragedy", reach for yuor wallet and give a little. Lets look toward ourselves, not the government to make the difference.

Not trying to be disrepectful to those affected, but this is America and the idividual is responsible for themselves, first!

Dug

slim

I would expect the goverment engineers to be able to predict just how much additional water can the Lake could take before the dikes gave way thus demand total evacuation and send troops to see that order is carried out.

Logic says, you will need lots of help, water, food, etc; after storm so why not start getting those items ready last Friday and moved with in 300miles OUTSIDE the storm area so when there needed it doesn't take days or weeks to get them there but 8hrs.

Phoenix on Tuesday night sent 100 firefighters with tracking dogs to help with rescue. Well why didn't they leave Sunday night again holding them OUTSIDE the storm area so once again they can pounce on the area with-in 8hrs instead of 2 days late.

Why wasn't the aircraft carriers on stand-by and heading in behind the storm instead of arriving at the end of the week?

WE spent billions of dollars after 911 to get ready to react in a monments notice too such a disaster and were nowhere closer now than we was then. That's sad.

T_Bone

They did. The dikes, according to the Army Corps of Engineer official on NPR this morning were designed for a Category 3 storm.

They held for over 24 hours beyond their design capacity.

Now why you'd only protect New Orleans, a major city sitting on the coast below sea level, with only Cat 3 levees I don't know!

>thus demand total evacuation and send >troops to see that order is carried out.

Can't agree with you there. You can send in troops to go door to door and assist & encourage.

If someone doesn't want to leave, the Government should have neither the duty to protect them or an obligation to rescue them.

>WE spent billions of dollars after 911 to get >ready to react in a monments notice too such a >disaster and were nowhere closer now than we >was then. That's sad.

Yes and no...

Even sending resources to within 300 miles is problematic logistically -- hurricanes can move erratically, and even if you start mobilizing them towards a forward staging area, you could see staging locations change.

Putting the units on standby in Phoenix and Boston to prepare to deploy...fine. Actually going airborne? Wait till you have a firm plan based on what you see, not what you guess.

Response to major disasters like this -- whether man made or Mother Nature -- depend on local/regional/state resources to handle them for the first 48-72 hours.

Perhaps the mandatory evacuation should have been assisted by Nat'l Gaurd.

I agree that help and supplies could have been organized and staged outside the storm area, within maybe 8 hours travel time.

Why is there an aircraft carrier going there? Is this for a base of operations?

Dave

Ya I know what you ment but it let me rant some more :) I don't do that often but it really burns me when they say there gonna improve big time then they fall flat on there face when there up to bat.

They said the two carriers were to supply extra hospital beds, food and fresh water.

T_Bone

I work for DC Fire Dept.
We have been preached to about preparedness since 9-11. Not 2 months ago there was a couple of evacuations at the white house and capitol, due to invaded airspace over Washington, D.C. Do you know that the Fire Department wasn't notified? We found out on the News after the fact.

Some improvement, huh?
Dave

There was a picture in our local paper of a Red Cross truck floating in the floodwaters.

Perhaps they could have organized and staged somewhere safely nearby but outside the hurricane area. Going into the hurricane area would be stupid until the danger is cleared.
Dave

I started to reply to mike, then I say your reply. 'Nuff said!

Dug

Mahalo,
doogdoog

I've got a granddaughter missing down there in that mess. Doubt if they even have a house left anymore.

Been tellin' her for years to get outta there, 'course they don't listen to old dad.

Just hope she finds that kid. :>(

Allan

I have been lurking in the background reading your posts and not having a lot to say for the last few months. I feel like I know you already, and the post about your granddaughter brings this whole disaster home to a greater degree. I have been and will be praying for her safety, and I think we should all pray for all of the people, and there will be many, who will be impacted by this storm. Tim

Tim

Dug

Mark