Hurricane Katrina Disaster Updates

[concernedperson]

Just In......A huge oil spill in Venice, La. has just been reported. At the mouth of the Mississippi River.Two million barrel tanks.

Oh one more thing!!!!!!!

 

[DEPUTYDAWG]

Just FYI to show the magnatude of this....we've heard about Houston, San Antonio as major evacuation cities. I've reported Austin and Bryan also had shelters open, but on a much lesser scale. Even lil' ol Waco had 3 open as of yesterday.

Our Region is now officially being impacted: One sub-district that has 117 officers, has been told to put 85 (of 117!) on standby, to be ready to move out for one week. (So only 32 would remain in our district for normal duty, eeks) Another sub-district (111 officers) is to put 25 two-man units(!) on stand-by, for the same thing - one week. They will most likely be deployed to Houston or Dallas. (We've got one more sub-district, but I haven't heard what they're being requested to do.)

Dallas Region - their evacuation centers (at least the "official" ones) are ALREADY FULL, and now we're planning for Dallas' overflow to head to Waco!

Concern already about the medical needs for all these displaced people, not at the primary LA and MS cities - it will impact the health resources of Houston, SA, Austin, Dallas and Waco, etc. for months to come. And then the associated problems - health concerns with children in these school districts. Contagious diseases being spread. And it continues....

 

[Shadow205]

Major Air lines are beginning to airlift refugees from N.O. they are going to be taken to an airforce base (Lakland?) and be disbursed from there. Man, there is going to be people strung out all over the country.

 

[T'sNana]

I have no idea how they can keep track of who goes where and how people can find each other but I imagine that's not their #1 priority at this time. I wish I could go down there and help them with a database of names but I'm sure that's going on to an extent. I just feel helpless.

 

[Shadow205]

Just FYI to show the magnatude of this....we've heard about Houston, San Antonio as major evacuation cities. I've reported Austin and Bryan also had shelters open, but on a much lesser scale. Even lil' ol Waco had 3 open as of yesterday.

Our Region is now officially being impacted: One sub-district that has 117 officers, has been told to put 85 (of 117!) on standby, to be ready to move out for one week. (So only 32 would remain in our district for normal duty, eeks) Another sub-district (111 officers) is to put 25 two-man units(!) on stand-by, for the same thing - one week. They will most likely be deployed to Houston or Dallas. (We've got one more sub-district, but I haven't heard what they're being requested to do.)

Dallas Region - their evacuation centers (at least the "official" ones) are ALREADY FULL, and now we're planning for Dallas' overflow to head to Waco!

Concern already about the medical needs for all these displaced people, not at the primary LA and MS cities - it will impact the health resources of Houston, SA, Austin, Dallas and Waco, etc. for months to come. And then the associated problems - health concerns with children in these school districts. Contagious diseases being spread. And it continues....

This is a scary thought. With the refugees being transported all over the country, if any of them are sick or soon to be sick from the exposure to the elements there in N.O. then this could spread like wildfire. I don't mean to sound cold but maybe the refugees should not be relocated all over the country.

 

[T'sNana]

This is a scary thought. With the refugees being transported all over the country, if any of them are sick or soon to be sick from the exposure to the elements there in N.O. then this could spread like wildfire. I don't mean to sound cold but maybe the refugees should not be relocated all over the country.

Dr. Gupta was on last night. Can't remember which program. I was up very late. Anyway, he said he didn't think the infectious disease problem would be that great of an issue, in his opinion. But, I would think it's a major concern.

 

[Shadow205]

Dr. Gupta was on last night. Can't remember which program. I was up very late. Anyway, he said he didn't think the infectious disease problem would be that great of an issue, in his opinion. But, I would think it's a major concern.

I think I'll put him and his opinion in the same category as the ones who didn't think the Levy system was a problem that needed fixing.

 

[T'sNana]

Patients apparently arriving at the airport from Charity Hosp., military trucks almost to the comm. center and will unload, go pick up more (water, supplies, etc.) and have medical checks.

 

[T'sNana]

I think I'll put him and his opinion in the same category as the ones who didn't think the Levy system was a problem that needed fixing.

True! *L*

 

[BarnGoddess]

For those of you who are wondering and disturbed about those who still need rescuing, here is a personal story. I have permission to use his name from his father who works with me.

Darren Weber was a former resident of Lake Charles, LA who now lives in Waco, TX. In the family tradition, he is a volunteer fireman. He was asked by his former LA fire chief to come over and bring his boat. This was on Monday. He took personal vacation leave and finally was able to get into Baton Rouge for staging. They were staying at the Game Warden's headquarters in Baton Rouge. The made it into NO yesterday, after arranging for armed protection on each boat. They finally made it into the area where people were still trapped in their homes and buildings. As they prepared to pass under an overpass, they were fired on by thugs on the bridge. They were extremely lucky that a cop car was nearby and reached the thugs before they killed these volunteers. As a group, these volunteers with the needed private equipment made the decision to turn around and leave. Back in Baton Rouge last night, while on the phone to his mother, shots were fired and could be heard very near the building where they were staying. Lawlessness even as far as Baton Rouge.

Out of control!!!!! Here is the help everyone is demanding and volunteers that are willing to give it. I don't blame them for leaving. Those who are waiting to be rescued can look to a as one reason they haven't been helped.

 

[Dara]

For those of you who are wondering and disturbed about those who still need rescuing, here is a personal story.

I read it. Thank you for sharing. I am glad Darren wasn't hurt.

I am still disturbed. I am still wondering. I still understand why people are "demanding" help.

When rioting, unanticipated rioting, happens, we expect troops will go in and get things under control. We don't expect that people will be left to die and be raped and beaten! Do you seriously not understand why they're "demanding" help? Volunteers shouldn't be endangering their lives. They should have had protection. Looters and criminals are, as you say, "one reason" help isn't getting through. But it's been a bad situation for a long time, and the response wasn't enough. Not near enough.

Even President Bush is finally admitting it.

President George Bush has conceded the initial response to Hurricane Katrina was "not acceptable" but has said every effort is being made to save lives.

Yep. Is NOW being made. WAS not acceptable.

 

[less0305]

I heard it explained this morning that the Governor of each state MUST request federal troops. The President can't just send troops or people in to "take over" in any state in the union. Our constitution and government system is built on this premise. States run themselves. The federal govt. can't take over a state. The governor of LA did not ask for troops. I heard a reporter continue for nearly five minutes to pin the governor down as to when she actually requested troops and how many she requested. She couldn't answer him. She kept sidestepping the question and he kept pressing. She got flustered and could not answer. That reporter knew she was not going to admit that she didn't ask for national troops until things had deteriorated terribly. Maybe she didn't know what to do. Maybe she thought they could handle things on their own. I don't know. And I know many people are going to say WTF, people are dying...send troops anyway. But that's not how our govt and constitution is set up. If the govt came in and stepped into the state's business whenever they wanted, we wouldn't even have a state system. We may as well not have the government that we have. We would be a dictatorship. I know there is enough blame to go around. But I just wanted to point that out.

 

[Dara]

<snipped only for length> Maybe she thought they could handle things on their own. I don't know. And I know many people are going to say WTF, people are dying...send troops anyway. But that's not how our govt and constitution is set up. If the govt came in and stepped into the state's business whenever they wanted, we wouldn't even have a state system. We may as well not have the government that we have. We would be a dictatorship. I know there is enough blame to go around. But I just wanted to point that out.

These are exactly the kinds of specifics I think we need to know. I think troops should have been there. So, why weren't they?

Now, I get that the government may not have the authority to send troops if the governor didn't request them, but we all knew they were needed. So, could the president or someone high up give a nice phone call and say, "Er, you know, we're happy to send you some help." Or even, "Hey, we need to help you out. You're in trouble. You need to request troops." I'm sorry, but when things get to the point they reached 2 days ago, a "Well, you didn't ask" from the White House isn't much consolation.

 

[Mabel]

I heard it explained this morning that the Governor of each state MUST request federal troops. The President can't just send troops or people in to "take over" in any state in the union. Our constitution and government system is built on this premise. States run themselves. The federal govt. can't take over a state. The governor of LA did not ask for troops. I heard a reporter continue for nearly five minutes to pin the governor down as to when she actually requested troops and how many she requested. She couldn't answer him. She kept sidestepping the question and he kept pressing. She got flustered and could not answer. That reporter knew she was not going to admit that she didn't ask for national troops until things had deteriorated terribly. Maybe she didn't know what to do. Maybe she thought they could handle things on their own. I don't know. And I know many people are going to say WTF, people are dying...send troops anyway. But that's not how our govt and constitution is set up. If the govt came in and stepped into the state's business whenever they wanted, we wouldn't even have a state system. We may as well not have the government that we have. We would be a dictatorship. I know there is enough blame to go around. But I just wanted to point that out.

I didn't see the interview, but is is possible that the reason the governer wouldn't commit to exactly when she requested troops is because she didn't want to speak against someone higher up?

 

[tybee204]

Well that and a large percent of Louisana, Mississipi and Alabama's National Guard are not protecting their homefronts. They are in Iraq. Im still confused why the Guard is being used in Iraq but that is another topic.

 

[concernedperson]

I heard it explained this morning that the Governor of each state MUST request federal troops. The President can't just send troops or people in to "take over" in any state in the union. Our constitution and government system is built on this premise. States run themselves. The federal govt. can't take over a state. The governor of LA did not ask for troops. I heard a reporter continue for nearly five minutes to pin the governor down as to when she actually requested troops and how many she requested. She couldn't answer him. She kept sidestepping the question and he kept pressing. She got flustered and could not answer. That reporter knew she was not going to admit that she didn't ask for national troops until things had deteriorated terribly. Maybe she didn't know what to do. Maybe she thought they could handle things on their own. I don't know. And I know many people are going to say WTF, people are dying...send troops anyway. But that's not how our govt and constitution is set up. If the govt came in and stepped into the state's business whenever they wanted, we wouldn't even have a state system. We may as well not have the government that we have. We would be a dictatorship. I know there is enough blame to go around. But I just wanted to point that out.

I saw that interview as well. I believe I said early on that she wasn't acting like herself, she was pretty upset before the storm hit. I believe her advisors were saying that local National Guard would reinforce police....too little and not in a timely fashion. She didn't get the picture and should have ordered national troops immediately. No question the power was going to go out.....it always does 100% of the time. No question that many, many residents stayed and with the heat and no power you would have civil unrest in a big city.Poor planning....remember on Tuesday a.m. Mayor Nagin saying send in the troops?

 

[Ntegrity]

Im still confused why the Guard is being used in Iraq but that is another topic.

Why are you confused? They've always been basically reserve type military units and can be called up for foreign wars or to protect our homeland. They go wherever they're needed. My son was formerly in the Army National Guard but is now in the USAF reserves.

 

[less0305]

I saw that interview as well. I believe I said early on that she wasn't acting like herself, she was pretty upset before the storm hit. I believe her advisors were saying that local National Guard would reinforce police....too little and not in a timely fashion. She didn't get the picture and should have ordered national troops immediately. No question the power was going to go out.....it always does 100% of the time. No question that many, many residents stayed and with the heat and no power you would have civil unrest in a big city.Poor planning....remember on Tuesday a.m. Mayor Nagin saying send in the troops?

Exactly....I don't think she even realized what the scope was going to be until it was too late. I honestly think she thought the state of LA would handle this. I think she grossly misjudged and under-calculated the devastation...and then became shell shocked as to what to do next. I don't live there, but that was my impression.

 

[tybee204]

National Guard: Enough GIs for Storm Duty
By PETE YOST, Associated Press Writer


WASHINGTON -- Some 6,000 National Guard personnel in Louisiana and Mississippi who would be available to help deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina are in Iraq, highlighting the changing role of America's part-time soldiers.

"The juxtaposition of the mission to Iraq and the response to Katrina really demonstrates the new and changing character of the National Guard," Daniel Goure, a military analyst at the private Lexington Institute, said Monday.


The war has forced the Guard into becoming an operational force, a far cry from its historic role as a strategic reserve primarily available to governors for disasters and other duties in their home states.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationw...,1,6488472.story?coll=sns-ap-nation-headlines

 

[less0305]

I didn't see the interview, but is is possible that the reason the governer wouldn't commit to exactly when she requested troops is because she didn't want to speak against someone higher up?

Nope...laying blame higher up would have been a lot easier than squirming IF she could have said, I asked for 20,000 troops to be sent on Tuesday at noon. She even so much as went on to answer one question with "I don't even know what day today is." Ask the people at the convention center - they'll tell you what day it is - going into the 5th day without food and water.