FEMA Workers Leave Galveston Ahead of Rita

[phusion]

FEMA: "You're on your own, suckers!!"

http://abcnews.go.com/US/HurricaneRita/story?id=1146061

Sept. 21, 2005 — Galveston, Texas, faces a mandatory evacuation order as Hurricane Rita threatens to strike — and apparently, that means the feds, too.

The Federal Emergency Management Administration has ordered a local team of nine support staffers providing relief to Hurricane Katrina refugees to evacuate the Texas city and county.

"There is a mandatory evacuation we're not above the law," said Frank Mansell, a FEMA reservist who was the senior federal officer at Galveston. "We obey the laws of the local authorities."

Galveston Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas said mayors of all the towns in the coastal barrier island county would formally issue the mandatory evacuation order this evening.

[jean]

1. Do they and other officials now have SATELLITE PHONES so

they can communicate?

[DoYouEverWonder]

2. SOP

During a hurricane. However to leave three days early is a bit much. They should at least wait until the last minute.

[kath]

3. really, what's the fokkin' rush?

[Geoff R. Casavant]

5. Well, two points

First, if you're going to get out of Galveston you have to get out well ahead of time, because pretty much the only land exit is a two-lane street that leads to a two lane causeway, then another hundred miles or so of bumper traffic.

Second, I can see the point that FEMA is there to aid recovery and there isn't much they can do at this point -- I'd rather make sure they are safe now and get back here as soon as the storm passes.

[DoYouEverWonder]

6. That doesn't mean they should leave AHEAD of everyone else

They should at least stick around to help anyone who needs assistance. But this may be the first time they even went in BEFORE a hurricane hits. They usually wait until after the storm passes before they go in at all.

[bigbrother05]

4. I have friends in Galveston

Called them today, they both have to stay, one works for the hospital, the other works for the prison. They are law abiding citizens, but have to report for work. Me thinks Fema doesn't understand its title.

[hiaasenrocks]

7. As well they should.

There's no reason for anyone, emergency workers included, to stay there and sit through a CAT-5. Evacuations have been going on since yesterday, on a voluntary basis, and we're still almost three days from landfall.

[JTsc]

8. Good.

This way they'll still be alive so they can get there after the storm.

[newyawker99]

9. Hi JTsc!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: