A question from a Floridian to Louisiana;

[The Backlash Cometh]

I realize that most people had their houses swept away, so their food supplies would have been lost with the storm surge. Putting that aside, what kind of public broadcast warnings besides evacuating were given to the people in New Orleans and Louisiana?

For instance, here in Florida we are given constant public hurricane preparation announcements reminding us that there may be a three day to one week delay before anyone comes to help us, so our supplies should reflect whatever we think we'll need in that time period -- including medication. They even say we should keep something like three gallons of water per person per day. AND they tell us to keep these things in plastic and on high ground.

Was there nothing like this broadcasted to people in Louisiana? Why, for instance, were the hospitals unprepared? Why wasn't there bottled water and canned goods in the hospital?

[blueatheart]

1. shelters

maybe I missed it, but before Katrina hit how many shelters were set up? Last year we had several in Jacksonville set up before the storms hit.

[The Backlash Cometh]

3. That's correct. We have well defined shelters.

We even have police with bullhorns who go around to make sure that people who live in low lying areas know they stand the risk of flooding and they're advised to go to shelters which are on high ground.

[KeepItReal]

2. 1) People given warning to leave, but no transport 2)Hospitals can only do

...so much. They are flooded and then their generators started giving out. I guess it was foolhardy of them to think they would be supported and resupplied *DAYS* after the event. <sarcasm>

[The Backlash Cometh]

4. It's clear that Louisiana didn't have a well-practiced hurricane plan.

[KeepItReal]

7. The plan probably didnt assume being cut off from Fed assist for DAYS

And when the Fed assistance came it was in pieces and unfocused.

[The Backlash Cometh]

9. That's what I don't understand.

FEMA tells us we may be isolated for the first few days. That's a known fact here in Florida. That's why you get all the supplies you need.

[KeepItReal]

10. Dude the hurricane hit Monday. Thursday folks are starving to death

in the DESIGNATED DISASTER CENTERS. Folks were told to go to the Superdome and N.O. convention center.

FEMA and the other Feds are just now figuring out where to send stuff??

If they just watched MSNBC, they could see where to send supplies.

The whole rescue and lack of National Guard issues are a whole 'nother story.

[The Backlash Cometh]

11. Two drop locations shouldn't have taxed them at all.

I agree with you there.

[Atman]

5. From what I hear...there WAS water and food

Wasn't there a Hyatt attached to the convention center where thousands were holed up? Didn't I read where armed troops were protecting the doors which linked the Hyatt to the Convention Center, so no one could get in and loot it. It was a major hotel, with a large restaurant and presumably hundreds and hundreds of beds. When all was obviously lost, those doors should have been swung open wide and the Hyatt emptied of every bottle of Evian and every #10 can of food.

But to republicans, it appears property is more valuable than life itself.

[The Backlash Cometh]

6. Sacrifice is for everyone but the rich. They want to watch us from

their balcony rooms.

[txindy]

8. Yep, protecting those mini-bars in the hundreds of rooms has priority

Armed guards. Maybe they need to arm themselves with some common sense and decency.