Imagine this nightmare for small towns along the Gulf Coast like Bay St. Louis and Waveland.
Soon after hurricane season begins on Thursday, a gathering storm takes aim at the area, reaching tropical storm or even hurricane force just a few days from landfall. The evacuation order is given by local authorities. And that's when the trouble starts.
There are perhaps 1,000 volunteers scattered throughout the area, living in quarters so temporary they barely withstand strong gusting winds. They have to leave; but many have flown in with church groups and don't have their own cars. There's a scramble to fit all of them into the available vans. As volunteer coordinators try to make sure they have accurate rosters of who is in the area and who has left, the winds begin to pick up.
Those winds will pack even more of a wallop than last year's storms. Since many trees in the area are still barren, a natural wind break is gone. Many of the various Gulf Coast sea walls also have been damaged or destroyed, putting this already fragile area at even even greater risk.
Meanwhile, about half the residents in the area live in 8,000 trailers provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Those are fragile and won't withstand a strong storm either. They're also hard to pull around as trailers, and FEMA says it's illegal to move them. But many Gulf Coast residents lost everything last year, and they're not anxious for that to happen again. So many hitch their trailers up to pickup trucks and hit the road. Unfortunately, many have never pulled a trailer before -- particularly in a harsh wind -- so there are the inevitable accidents. Roads, already swelling with evacuation traffic, are a mess. Tempers flare, and gasoline supplies run thin. The sky grows dark.
And things are worse that last year, when there were three main evacuation routes out of Bay St. Louis and Waveland. The bridge to the east, across St. Louis Bay, is washed out, so now, there are only two routes out of town. And both of those are jam-packed. The rain starts to fall.
No way outWorst of all, some residents simply have no way to leave town. Katrina also swept away nearly half the cars in the area, and while some residents have since purchased new wheels, many haven't. In Bay St. Louis alone, Mayor Eddie Favre estimates that 700 residents currently have no way to drive out. Favre and other town leaders, Hanock County offficials, Mississippi emergency workers are all working on bus arrangements for these residents. But as of late May, no bus stops had been designated and no bus routes printed. Favre remains hopeful that school buses would be used to find and scurry residents out of his town and to safe shelter somewhere else in Mississippi, but no one has yet told him where they can go.
The storm arrives; officials and family members wonder who might have been left behind.
This is the nightmare scenario Mississippi officials are losing sleep over as this year's hurricane season arrives. There are plans floating up and down Mississippi's local, county and state offices, but none has yet been accepted. The biggest hurdle -- different parts of the plan are owned by different bureaucracies, leading to many dead ends. Favre can spirit people out of his town on buses, but once they leave, where do they go? Favre's influence ends at city limits. After that, he's forced to rely on the generosity of other communities, state parks and the like.
As a result, when asking about evacuation plans, the most common answer is: "We need to get that from the county. ... We need to get that from the state..." and so on.
Of course, the worst-case scenario isn't inevitable. And much planning has been done. In Bay St. Louis, Fire Chief Bobby Gavagnie said the town is on the verge of printing a detailed pamphlet that will be delivered to every resident -- by hand. City workers will deliver the brochure and make notes of special needs, particularly those residents who need a ride out of town, he said.
Hancock County emergency director Brian Adams is at the center of these evacuation plans. During a frank interview, he expressed lingering concerns about where residents will go during an evacuation and how they will get there. There have been repeated radio advertisements giving residents instructions, and volunteers are right now going door to door all around the area asking the critical question: "Do you still need a ride?"
Ads warn against taking trailersThe ads also implore people to leave their FEMA trailers behind, Adams said.
But the county's already scant resources are stretched even thinner now. And the reality is, Hancock County only has 250 beds in its emergency shelter. If there's another storm, residents will have to find refuge elsewhere. So the plan, he said, is really for residents to have their own plan.
"You should make plans for what you are going to do," he said, directly addressing his constituents.
The biggest difference in planning everyone here talks about is more lead time for evacuations. Favre and other community leaders said they plan to call for evacuations 72 hours before a hurricane’s landfall – and in some cases, perhaps even sooner than that – bumping up the evacuation schedule by a full day. That should ease road congrestion, said Tommy Longo, mayor of nearby Waveland. He said the National Weather Service was working with the town to offer earlier warnings this year.
But will that be enough? Last year, Waveland lost virtually all of its critical city vehicles in the storm – including police cars and fire trucks. Longo feels confident his city is better prepared this year. City equipment, which only moved 12 miles away before Hurricane Katrina, will now be driven far into the next county, he said, and placed in a safe government lot that’s 1,100 feet above sea level.
But what about the 3,000 Waveland residents who have made their way back into the town? Longo hopes nearly all of them will be able to get themselves out of town. Those who can’t have been asked to register with the city, and during a storm will be asked to meet at a staging area – probably a city school, Longo said. Having given a series of radio interviews, Longo is hopeful residents without cars have heard his appeal and will take the time register. But so far, only 6 people have signed up, he said.
'Please sign up'“We are asking people to please sign up, even if there’s just the remote possibility that you need help, so we know how many buses we need,” he said.
Still, around this community, there are repeated rumblings that local officials haven't done enough to prepare for the impending hurricane season. Why, in late May, are they still scrambling to throw together a brochure?
Favre admits he wishes his town was better prepared, but offers a reasonable excuse.
"We're still simply trying dig out of the hole we're in," he said, sitting in his makeshift office on the second floor of the town's train station. Last year, his city had 40 public works employees; now it has 13.
"There are question marks there because we are breaking new ground," he added. "(Before last year) we never envisioned needing bus transportation or staging areas for evacuations. We never contemplated that before, and it takes quite a bit of time. "
Which leads to the simplest of evacuation strategies that nearly every public official offered in off-the-record comments to our questions.
"If a storm is storm is coming," one said. "Get the hell out.”
The show must go on
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Seems to me that more and more people are failing to take responsibility for themselves and their actions in this country! People want to continuously point a finger and blame someone else for their woes....if they would just use some common sense and plan ahead, things could turn out differently.
Our friends volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in a hurricane stricken area...they won't do it again because so many of the recipients just sat around and watched them work (the wife had just recuperated from a ruptured brain aneurysm). It's time for 'victims' to quit holding their hand out and start digging in to help themselves.
We had a tornado warning the other night..we spent a couple hours in the basement with our dogs and an emergency weather radio..mostly because we have experienced tornado destruction before...I don't need to be knocked in the head to get the message..we learned the last time. Mother Nature is not controllable...our actions are.
Louise Baldwin, Niles, Ohio (Sent May 29, 2006 4:04:08 PM)
I have two sisters in Biloxi. One always evacuates, the other says they can't evacuate for "the traffic is too heavy." I've told her for years to get the hell out before the traffic starts. If it looks like you'll be hit--go! But no. They barely escaped with their lives in Katrina, and their beautiful back-bay home was destroyed. And if one hits this summer (and it probably will) they plan to stay. Death wish? Must be. It's distressing!
Barbara C. Thompson (Bobbie) (Sent May 29, 2006 7:46:01 PM)
Hmmmmm. 12hrs of incovenience getting to safety vs. 12hrs of TERROR hunkered down in the hallway wondering if your house is gonna hold up. No brainer there.
My house took the worst of Ivan and we lost 3 shingles...4 family and friends lost their homes. If you want to risk your life on the CHANCE you'll be ok, then stay. I wish I hadn't.
Oh, and to Katrina victims: You have my utmost understanding and sympathy, but get over it. After 2 years Pensacola STILL isn't even close to being rebuilt, so don't hold your breath.
I stayed stressed for months after Ivan waiting for things to get back to the way they were; I finally felt better when I realized that things will NEVER get back to the way they were. Move on, you'll be happier, really.
Leave early, take cash, fill up, and pray.
Timothy J. Sedano, Pensacola, Florida (Sent May 29, 2006 7:51:19 PM)
To V. Taylor from Missouri--I can't believe that after all these months reading "Rising from the Ruin: Two Towns Rebuild...", that folks like you still haven't gotten the message that Bay St. Louis and Waveland are not below sea level. How many times have these two towns been wiped out in the last 200 years?
Martha, Atlanta, GA (Sent May 29, 2006 8:30:47 PM)
"5000 years ago, Moses said:
Pick up your shovel, mount your ass,
and I'll lead you to the promised land.
5000 years later, Roosevelt said:
Lay down your shovel, sit on your ass, and light up a camel, for this is the promised land.
Today, Bush will tax your shovel, sell your camel, kick your ass, and tell you there is no promised land."
Yes, it's a old joke, but the point is hidden within it's words. Do not expect handouts from the government, do not expect individual plans to be made around a single family or individual. Instead, make your own plans, use the local, state and federal plans as a backup. Rely on yourself, because in the middle of a storm, with the waters rising, no power, and high winds bashing at your home, no one will be around to hear your screams, the one person you will always have to rely upon is yourself.
I only pray that you didn't convince the members of your family that someone else will be guaranteed to be there to pull your butts out of the hazard, cause then you will not only become responsible for yourself but for others. It's already obvious how terribly you did on that one if your in this situation.
Evacuate, find safety for yourself and your family, and help those who you can in the process. For one last quote, let me repeat; "My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you: Ask what you can do for your country."
Tony Morton, Denver, Colorado (Sent May 29, 2006 8:45:48 PM)
Barnes, Houston is absolutely correct. It is not a consitutiional right or benefit to receive such tremendous aid as a result of any catastrophy. Hurricanes have been happening for a long long time. I feel too many people are making a huge deal about delays and the lack of benefits for victims.We made plans, collected supplies and moved timely and it was scary but we made it and we did not depend on the government to pay for any thing. We are fine and happy. So get with it and quit making a big deal- prepare you plan now and be ready.
Scooter, Houston, TX (Sent May 29, 2006 10:00:13 PM)
We live in Baytown, a town about 20 minutes east of Houston, located between Houston and Louisiana on Galveston Bay, and were here for Hurricane Rita (just a few weeks after Katrina hit LA). We evacuated with three small children, 4 pets, and our most precious family memorabilia (i.e. photo albums, birth certificates, family heirlooms, etc). We went into Central Texas, to my family's home. Normally, this ride would take 4 hours. 26 hrs later, we arrived at my parents. 26 HOURS!! And we evacuated 3 DAYS before the hurricane was to hit. Yes, we were one of the cars in that heavy traffic you all watched on T.V. There was no gas, no gas stations open, no food places, no places to go to the bathroom, nothing. It was HOT, being early September. I saw humanity at it's primest. All of that, for nothing. The Hurricane turned on the last day, and reduced speed. There were high winds here, a little damage, no electricity for two days, no water for one. I have to tell you, until you have been through something like that evacuation, you can't say whether or not you would do it again for anything less that a "Sure Thing" Hurricane. That evacuation was worse that having to go 2 days without electricity and one day without water would have been. I can always stockpile flashlights, batteries and water. We've had plumbing problems before and been without running water or a toilet for a few days before. I could stand it, IN MY OWN HOME. But having to do the exact same thing, for over a day, in a car, in heavy traffic, with over 500,000 other people....ugh. It was horrific. Forget it. Unless it's a category 3 or above, and supposed to hit dead on, I don't think I would leave either.
Danica, Baytown, Texas (Sent May 29, 2006 10:39:06 PM)
I moved to Gautier, Mississippi about a month before the storm. Not having experienced a hurricane before, we took the warnings seriously and evacuated. I came back and our house was fine but as everyone knows, many weren't. I have seen the houses that were demolished, the slabs left behind, the "stairs to nowhere" and also smelled the odor we dare not speak of. My anger during and after Katrina was because not evacuating took many lives needlessly but more so it is towards the parents who chose to put their children at risk rather than evacuate. If you do decide to stay, please think of your children. They don't have the choice to stay or go. Why even consider putting their lives in jeopardy? If you aren't thinking of saving yourself, think of them. Whether your home be brick or stick built, get them to safety.
Susan, Gautier, Mississippi (Sent May 29, 2006 10:59:31 PM)
In response to Barnes and Scooter of Houston -
Once again we see the same attitude and the same
perception - the folks of Southern Mississippi are
sitting arounds with hands up backsides, waiting for
the government to bail them out.
If you had the sense of purpose and generosity of
spirit to come down here and help, you'd see that
no one is doing that. We are rebuilding and aren't
waiting for FEMA to do squat.
What is taking so long? Try calling a contractor.
Try getting drywall or flooring. Try getting an
electrician. It's easy to sit in a place that's
whole, telling those of us in a place that's
broken what to do.
Barnes in particular seems to wish for the old
days where the Army gave you a tent and a shovel.
Great. Diptheria was present in the old days too,
as was yellow fever, rampant racism, smallpox,
lack of civil rights, child labor, etcetc. Sounds
idyllic.
I invite both these Houstonians to read the other
stories on this site and see what people here are
up against, and how we are rebuilding in spite of
it. I hope that their next move would be toward their
car keys to drive down here to help, rather than
to the computer to let loose another fusillade of
high handedness.
But I doubt it.
J., Bay Saint Louis (Sent May 29, 2006 11:49:54 PM)
I worked as disaster response during last year's hurricane season in the Gulf and in previous years in Florida. I can't begin to count the number of brick homes, apartments and office buildings I have seen totally destroyed by the fury of these storms. Trailers are even worse. No one can predict which block will survive and which one won't. In an 80 trailer park there can be 20 untouched and 20 totally destroyed and the rest somewhere in between.
Taking a chance that yours will be one that makes it is foolhardy. Ask anyone in St Bernard Parish or parts of Mississippi or the area south of Lake Charles if they'd stay. I've talked to a lot of folks who actually did ride out last year's horror and to a man (or woman) they all said NEVER again and all agreed it was the most stupid thing they had ever done in their lives. The advice "if it's a 3 - leave" is sound.
I'd rather inspect your damaged home than watch your damaged body being pulled from it's rubble.
I've come to appreciate your way of life. I enjoy the warm hospitality and the incredible spirit you folks possess. I respect your ability to weather the emotional, financial and physical storms you've been hit with. So please - if this year brings me to your area, god forbid, let me meet you as a returning evacuee. Your property losses will occur whether you're there or not. There are thousands of us who can help you replace those losses, but not one of us who can bring you back to life.
Kay, Pueblo, CO (Sent May 29, 2006 11:51:37 PM)
RB from Chicago says:
MOVE!
Great. Where in Chicago do you live? We're there!
R., BSL (Sent May 29, 2006 11:53:42 PM)
Let`s think about this,
I live in the part of the county that has a lot of tornados. What should I do? Well since I`m not going to leave I have taken all of the steps I can to protect my property and life. When the storm warnings come I take cover and hope for the best.
If the storm ever makes a direct hit I know all of my plans will make only a slight difference in the outcome to my property. I might be alive, but but all else will be gone. What kind of help should I expect from local and state government. I`d hope someone would be around to dig me and my family out. If the destruction is wide spread government sould help protect us from each others lawlessness, and I`d expect emergency medical help be given to maintain life if possible.The reestablishment of city services and inferstructure should be made as soon as coditions allow.
Should I accept the possibility that my life will never be the same ? yes, Should I except that the government could let me down ? yes,
Tornado distruction comes on a much smaller scale then hurricanes. The aftermath is then on a much smaller scale but the the individual distruction could have the same results. Should I blame my loss on the government or the storm and myself for staying were life and death systems come and go at will. I stay and take my chances. After close calls some people can`t except the danger and move; others that get hit rebuild, some laugh and say it will never happen.
Hurricanes or tornados; if you live where life and property are at risk everyone needs to except the possibilities and make plans about what should be none well ahead of the event. If the wost happens then it should be of no suprise. Mother nature and death are not strangers. They walk together as equals.We can walk with them only if we understand each of them and ourselves.If we stay because of the view, the way the air smells or because of the whole package we calll a life style; we must also stay knowing the price that they can charge for shareing thier company. When the bill comes due we must be then willing to pay the cost.
Al Jewell Llano Texas (Sent May 29, 2006 11:57:23 PM)
After reading all of the comments posted here, it takes little effort to remember vividly the horror of watching the Katrina/Rita Hurricanes of 2005. Other than a couple of hours of lost power, we were fortunate in coming through Rita. My comment is not about evacuation, it is about living in the area that everyone is COMING TO!! We live just outside of Huntsville, TX, directly in the path of one of the primary evacuation routes for Houston, and the surrounding communities. For years, my children have teased me about having 5 bottles of ketchup, 10 boxes of chicken and rice, multiples of "everything" in the freezer. Well, my shopping was what saved us during the evacuation of Houston last year. There was not a loaf of bread or bottle of water, canned goods, or even the most simple snack items to be had, and forget about gasoline. My suggestion: Pray for the people who need the help of God to survive, pay close attention to what is happening around you, but for goodness sake, if the TV is telling you that there is going to be an evacuation in your area, starting...whenever...take steps to have what you need. Once an evacuation starts, you can just about forget it.
CE. Huntsville, TX (Sent May 30, 2006 3:26:38 AM)
This problem of evacuation was not limited to Katrina. Many I know on the TX Gulf Coast found
themselves stuck in traffic for 24 hours to evacuate. I cannot imagine a worse scenario than
being in a car with a storm right on top of you.
Furthermore, there seems to be a certainty about
"where a storm will hit" on this page that the
reality cannot meet. Next time there's a storm
a'comin, have a look at the "computer models"
part of the Tropical Storms page at Weather
Underground. You will see the scatter in the models
and the amount of interpretation that has to go into
a forecast. Also instructive is reading the
"discussion" page for every forecast the NHC puts
out. If you base your faith in computer models,
this will shake it up. It doesn't impugn models,
but it does interpret them in a manner that will
make you take the "white zone" around a predicted
track (which tells you the probability) very
seriously.
Bay Saint Louis was within the "red" zone of a
forecasted hurricane landfall three times last
year. Except for Katrina, nothing happened. Three
evacuations is a lot, especially if you have
kids and no family in the area.
I'm certainly not excusing those who don't evacuate,
and wouldn't recommend staying to anyone. However,
those from far flung areas of the country who
think we are just recalcitrant and waiting for the
government to get us out haven't been looking into
this matter very much.
R., BSL (Sent May 30, 2006 6:50:40 AM)
I grew up in western NY. Live in Virginia and have lived through some remnants of hurricanes over the years. You don't have to have lived by the coast to understand the damage that will occur if a 3 or higher hurricane comes in from the south. When the headlines of an article says " Evacuation plan: Run like hell" shows up, you have to agree the government hasn't learned very much in the last year and people are starting to forget the horror that went on after last season.
I did go to Long Beach for a week last Nov. and got to see that for myself. Saw quite a number of brick building pulled into the Gulf or laying 300 yrds from where they originally stood.
As we start this hurricane season, I can only say You people take care, get out of the way and look out for one another.
Hugh W. Sterling VA. (Sent May 30, 2006 8:12:07 AM)
As one who did evacuate from Slidell, La. on the Sat before the storm .... and came back to find my place totally gone ... I say EVACUATE !!
As to waiting for the government ... I did not ... but I am waiting for my homeowners INSURANCE company to pay for my loss ... after going to mediation, and having their adjuster start with 'NO' , my structural engineer convinced him to come out to the site ... after a conversation over the pilings (the house was 11' above the Lake) ... the adjuster finally understood that wind took the place ...
still no word from the company ...
Homeowners Insurance will be the BIGGEST hurdle after a hurricane .... but you will be here to keep trying to get what you thought you paid for ...
Sheila Coutant, Wilmington, NC (Sent May 30, 2006 8:31:09 AM)
PARADISE LOST
AS I write this blog, my eyes fill with tears, for freinds that lost their lives in the storm!
I lived on the Gulf coast since 1963. I survived Betsy, Camille..and now Katrina...My wife and I left the coast 3 days after Katrina...We want to go home but unfortunatly there isn't adaquate housing even for the people who stayed, Jobs...there are apparently plently..just no places to rent..We are currently living in Colorado Hoping and praying that maybe someday soon...apartments will be rebuilt and be affforadable enough for us to return to our beloved Gulf Coast
Elvis Marcrum, Now of Olney Springs , Colorado (formerly of Gulfport) (Sent May 30, 2006 9:15:52 AM)
Why would you even move back into a high hurricane potential area without the means to leave quickly? You can never expect the government to take care of its people. I have never seen any government program function properly, what makes people think that FEMA will do any better? Take care of yourself, if you can't do that, don't put yourself in harm's way.
Thomas Lompton, Dallas Texas (Sent May 30, 2006 11:35:19 AM)
I grew up on the Gulf Coast and have been through every storm from 1967. My town was lucky when Camille hit and my family was in a shelter in town. Frederic in 1979, we foolishly chose not to evacuate, but once again were lucky and pulled ourselves up and worked through the damage. In 1985 Elena nailed us, but we had gotten out of town. The trip back home was pretty rough, but we rebuilt and repaired. Georges in 1998, no question, got out and came back, lucky again. Dodged Ivan in 2004, but still got to a shelter. We watched Katrina build to one of the most massive and powerful storms in recorded history and evacuated, convincing many obstinate family members to do the same. The devastation that resulted from her landfall was awe inspiring, emotionally draining and fraught with uncertainty. No help was expected from the government or anyone else, my family has chosen to live on the coast for at least 6 generations. We got back home and began to clear up the mess and get our homes and lives back to normal. It is incredibly foolish for any citizen of the gulf coast to not have a plan that they follow any time a storm threatens. The lives of your family members will not be protected by pride, but caution and a well thought out and followed through plan will protect them. Houses, cars, belongings...they are only things that can be replaced. We appreciate all of the help that was given by friends, family, volunteers and the government. I, for one, did not ask for a handout, but I did accept what was offered. I have done everything that I can do to mitigate future damage and expect that most others down here will do the same. It is a lovely place to live and raise a family, but like nearly every other place in the world, disaster can strike and it is a threat that we live with each and every day. I too am saddened and angered by those who expect a handout from others. A helping hand from our fellow Americans is all that one can realistically hope for. For all who think that people here are whining and looking for a free ride, please, take the time to find out what is really going on here. Many cities are still virtually destroyed, some completely. Television, internet and photos do not do justice to the amount of devastation that the Mississippi coast endured. To truly understand what has happened you have to experience it in person, to see the lives built for so many years destroyed in mere hours.
Chris, Pascagoula, MS (Sent May 30, 2006 12:39:45 PM)
Living on the coast of Florida, we have been through the evacuation route. Having been to BSL, I have seen the total loss. The ONLY good thing about a hurricane is that we have DAYS to get it together and evacuate. Not like those experienceing tornados or earthquakes....The answer is to ALWAYS be prepared and take care of yourself, if you can. I understand some are elderly or handicapped, but in general make your OWN plan. Right now in Florida we are preparing. Large plastic containers full of supplies for three days. Make sure all your papers are in one place and easily available and take photos of your house and belongings. Keep them with your Insurance papers. Have money readily available also. DON'T wait til it it coming your way. DO IT NOW. Keep a list of hotels or shelters that take pets, if that is important to you. DO IT NOW!!!! Then GET OUT early, don't wait til the last minute. YES, it is inconvenient and there may be traffic, but do it anyway. And those of you who don't think you need flood insurance or your agent told you you didn't, get it anyway. A basic policy is not that expensive for peace of mind. To all those in Mississippi, on that beautiful coast, We are all praying for you. You are not forgotten.
peggy, naples, fla (Sent May 30, 2006 12:49:12 PM)
Dear America-Remember the Republican mantra through all the Reagan-Bush-Bush years? Less government, lower taxes. Well now you got what you voted for and what you've paid for. So stop whining and start digging your waterproof bunkers. You can use the money you saved from all those tax cuts to buy insurance. What's that? You're not rich so you didn't get any real tax cuts? Don't worry FEMA has a trailer for you....
Will R, San Francisco, CA (Sent May 30, 2006 2:17:11 PM)
I have lived in South Florida my entire life. I have come accustumed to a tranquil life style. All though there are emminent threats to human life, I think It is best to evacuate those who live within a few miles of a coast. And P.S.- Rhonda how are you writing this letter if you are not alive?
David- Aventura FL (Sent May 30, 2006 3:14:43 PM)
To Chuck Loch from LA. FYI, Mayor Nagin is a democrat, so is the Governor of La. The decision to live in a reclaimed swamp, below sea level, in a hurricane prone area, is about as silly as living on a landfill hillside in Laguna, Ca. or the mud flats in San Francisco. The key is to know the risks of your area and plan your living arrangements accordingly. If the politicians really cared and exercised their power, the lower third of the Gulf States would be uninhabited swamp, open only for tourism and hunting. Oh, but then we'd be living in the Soviet Union, which also doesn't exist anymore.
The bottom line is that Government's responsibility is to preserve or restore a public framework so YOU, as an individual, can get on with your private life. Your individual survival or recovery is up to you. You know the risks, so if you don't prepare for them, then look in a mirror for someone to blame.
John , Los Angeles, Ca. (Sent May 30, 2006 4:43:43 PM)
I was one that did not evacuate for Katrina, mainly because of the traffic and no where to go. We live six blocks from the beach and had no flooding. We lost our roof, and if we had not been there to catch the rain water with every pot, pan and towel we had, we would have lost all of our home, not just the second floor ceilings and floors. As far as the government goes, it is every person's responsibility to make sure they have the means to get out or enough rations to live on for at least four or five days. I waited in lines for hours just like everyone else to get ice and water when they became available. To expect that the government will show up in a day or two and fill your ice chest and turn on your eletricity is ridiculous.
howard, gulfport, ms (Sent May 30, 2006 5:49:40 PM)
Evacuate. Do it early, and plot out backroads routes that will keep you off main highways that are likely to be more congested. If you want the joys of living on the coast (Gulf or otherwise) you also have to be responsible for getting yourself out of the way of natural disasters. When the devastating Hurricane hit Galveston in 1900, there was no advance warning system. There is no reason that destruction of property from these storms should also result in loss of life.
Angela, Dallas formerly of Beaumont, TX (Sent May 30, 2006 6:54:11 PM)
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