Avoiding Another Katrina

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  • Posted By: koerbdog @ 10/24/2007 7:29:41 AM

    Dear Author:
    Stop referring to the Superdome in New Orleans as the "Superbowl."

  • Posted By: mike1953 @ 10/24/2007 7:24:54 AM

    I live in Biloxi MS and we rode out Katrina at the house, it is a strtch to compare these fires and Katrina. During Katrina if you did not evalucate early you were stuck, and you had to live thru the storm. California is doing a much better job of evacuating people than New Orleans did, but there is also places to evacute to that is out of the fire. During Katrina those places did not exist, just ask the thousands of people in the Super Dome. I wish all of the people of Cailfornia good luck with thier insurance companies. Hopefully your valliant fire fighters will get a handle on the fires soon.

  • Posted By: courtney415 @ 10/24/2007 1:13:56 AM

    aross328
    What a despicable racist you are. NO sarcasm here - you make me sick.

    Most of the people I've seen on TV, that have lost EVERYTHING in SD, who are at Quaalcom are NOT white unless they are quite elderly or obviously NOT rich.

    They are victims of a disaster that sprang up literally within a few hours and over-night... NOT something that the whole world KNEW was going to hit New Orleans for days but didn't bother to do a damn thing to help themselves.

    There are several reasons they are not suffering the privations those in Louisiana did.

    1. Most importantantly the people of SoCal are not looting, shooting, stealing and even killing others. We're actually HELPING each oother... What novel concept in a civilized society, eh?

    2. Instead all those so-called rich white people (and not-rich, not white people) are FLOODING the evacutation centers with donations to the point where it's been announced 'do NOT bring anymore donations to Quaalcom, we don't need ANYTHING!'

    3. The victims took it upon themselves to get the hell out even though in some cases they had only a few hours notice as opposed to days and they aren't there whining and complaining. They're thankful to be alive.

    4. SoCal values the lives of our animals and has made provisions for the victims to save their animals instead of forcing them to decide between leaving them or get left behind. Here in L.A. people from safe areas were bringing their horse-trailers to bring out horses and livestock from the affected areas.

    5. Here in SoCal the attitude is to try to help each other instead of stepping over or looting someone in trouble.

    6. And finally the city response was great and our governators response is nothing short of spectacular.... Who CARES if Bush or FEMA ever shows up... We don't need them. We take care of own here.

    • Posted By: katieann23 @ 10/24/2007 5:12:55 AM

      As a citizen of the US, my heart goes out to California. However, as a Louisiana resident, New Orleans native and an LSU Disaster Science and Management student, I am angered and disappointed by comparisons between the fires in California and the events surrounding Hurricane Katrina. First, researchers at the LSU Hurricane Center (which is federally funded) knew EXACTLY what would happen if a storm like Katrina hit New Orleans, but their attempts to alert state and federal authorities that this was a real threat that needed to be prepared for were ignored for whatever reason. Second, had the levees in New Orleans held, 80% of the city wouldn't have been underwater-levees that were improperly constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers. Third, the looting, murder, and crime in the city after the storm were grossly exaggerated. There was an increase in crime rates, but not on the level that was portrayed in the media. Also, we take care of our own here too-there weren't any stories in the news about the thousands of LSU students and evacuees who donated time, money, goods, and effort in the shelters set up in Baton Rouge (two on LSU's campus) and around the southeast after the storm. Don't misunderstand-plenty of mistakes were made by both Governor Blanco and Mayor Nagin, but a whole hell of a lot of the fault lies with the federal government, FEMA especially. I'm just so mad that Bush and FEMA would even think about taking any credit for disaster response and aid efforts anywhere in this country and I commend California for having such great emergency managers. I just hope they get the recognition and credit they deserve.

    • Posted By: katieann23 @ 10/24/2007 4:55:12 AM

      As a citizen of the US, I am very concerned for California residents and am very glad to see that response efforts seem to be both well organized and effective. However, as a Louisiana resident, New Orleans native, and an LSU Disaster Science and Management student, I am angered and disappointed by how ignorant or uninformed the rest of the country is about what happened before, during, and after Katrina in Louisiana. First, the researchers at the LSU Hurricane Center knew EXACTLY what would happen if a storm like Katrina hit New Orleans long before Katrina was a real storm, but their attempts to alert both state and federal authorities were ignored for reasons still unknown. Second, almost all of the flooding(the major cause of damage and loss of life) in New Orleans was due to the failure of levees which were improperly built by the Army Corps of Engineers. Third, reports of looting, murder and an overall drastic increase in crime post-Katrina were grossly exaggerated. In my view, both the fires currently plaguing California and Katrina are major disasters, but comparing the events is like comparing paper clips and bananas and I feel it's incredibly wrong for the national media to lay all the blame for the problems Lousiana faced after Katrina on the authorities here when there were some truly aggriegous errors made by the federal government which have seriously hindered the recovery efforts in this state to this day. Don't misundterstand-there were plenty of mistakes made by both Governor Blanco and Mayor Nagin, but I find it truly offensive that President Bush and FEMA are getting so much credit for the successes in California when I imagine probably 98% of the credit should go to state and local emergency managers and first responders. I just hope that California will have the sense to not involve FEMA any more than it absolutely has to.

  • Posted By: aross328 @ 10/23/2007 10:18:04 PM

    aaah. not only are the accomadations so far beyond what Katrina victims faced but as we've seen with California landslides, earthquakes and other wildfires, rich white people will probably be eligible for federal funds to supplement their loss. which makes sense since most of these people belong to a party that thinks that wealth shoulld be distributed to help those in need. and tax dollars should fund projects to help domestic issues to ensure people's WELFARE. obviously this is a sarcastic, overexaggeration of the situation. but this is not the appropriate situation for FEMA to compare its efforts relative to the death and devastation they didn't prevent in the wake of Katrina.

    • Posted By: courtney415 @ 10/24/2007 1:13:41 AM

      aross328
      What a despicable racist you are. NO sarcasm here - you make me sick.

      Most of the people I've seen on TV, that have lost EVERYTHING in SD, who are at Quaalcom are NOT white unless they are quite elderly or obviously NOT rich.

      They are victims of a disaster that sprang up literally within a few hours and over-night... NOT something that the whole world KNEW was going to hit New Orleans for days but didn't bother to do a damn thing to help themselves.

      There are several reasons they are not suffering the privations those in Louisiana did.

      1. Most importantantly the people of SoCal are not looting, shooting, stealing and even killing others. We're actually HELPING each oother... What novel concept in a civilized society, eh?

      2. Instead all those so-called rich white people (and not-rich, not white people) are FLOODING the evacutation centers with donations to the point where it's been announced 'do NOT bring anymore donations to Quaalcom, we don't need ANYTHING!'

      3. The victims took it upon themselves to get the hell out even though in some cases they had only a few hours notice as opposed to days and they aren't there whining and complaining. They're thankful to be alive.

      4. SoCal values the lives of our animals and has made provisions for the victims to save their animals instead of forcing them to decide between leaving them or get left behind. Here in L.A. people from safe areas were bringing their horse-trailers to bring out horses and livestock from the affected areas.

      5. Here in SoCal the attitude is to try to help each other instead of stepping over or looting someone in trouble.

      6. And finally the city response was great and our governators response is nothing short of spectacular.... Who CARES if Bush or FEMA ever shows up... We don't need them. We take care of own here.

  • Posted By: LindaLou @ 10/24/2007 12:21:42 AM

    Glad to see our governor Schwarzenegger recognized for real leadership in relief, but the article was remiss in not mentioning the public safety officials who do the planning and executing and coordinating of the initial response to the disasters. We take great pride and great care in our public safety resources. Part of the reason evacuees are so cooperative is that they actually TRUST the California public safety folks. They actually are the best at what they do. It's a part of our state government that actually works, and all should watch and learn.

    Katrina is a tough comparision to make. Here in California, the public officials evacuated residents BEFORE they were left in ruined cities. It's not FEMA's job to do that. On the Gulf Coast, local officials made intial errors, resulting in people trapped in complete devastation. In San Diego, people are in the Qualcomm stadium which is a safe and unaffected area, whereas the Superdome was in the middle of the destruction. The initial mistakes made during Katrina caused the unprecedented misery.

  • Posted By: Dizzlebaby5 @ 10/24/2007 12:15:54 AM

    Really, if Katrina had never happened people would be considering this just as much as a disaster as anything else. My gradfather lives in Louisianna in no way am I trying to say that they got the resources they needed because even today people are living in trailers. But just because the conditions are not as bad doesnt mean that what is happening in california isn't important. Rich, Poor, or in the middle having all your property and belonging burnt into a pile of ashes isnt just an "inconvenienvce" as some people have said. Its everything these people have worked for. Not to mentiont he health problems that will result from this. Some people cant leave their houses even if they arent burnt down because of the smoke. Just be more empathetic and put yourselves in their shoes.

  • Posted By: LindaLou @ 10/24/2007 12:00:26 AM

    Glad that our governor Schwarzenneger is being recognized for real leadership. However, it is remiss of this article not to mention the public safety agencies, especially the firefighters, who plan and execute and coordinate the immediate response to these disasters, long before federal wienies come on the scene. This is an example of a piece of our state government that actually works, and all should watch and learn. Darned proud of our public safety officials. They really are the best at what they do.

    Not fair to compare with Katrina....California officials evacuated residents before they were trapped in ruined cities. It's not FEMA's job to do that. The aftermath of Katrina was far beyond what we'll see in California, almost incomprehesible, doomed by the intital mistakes of their local governments.

    Regarding the "rich white" comment from aross328, you're so far off, it's laughable. Whites will be a minority in this state in the near future, and most of the people affected are not rich. There are elderly people, sick people, working poor whose apartments burned, single parents, truck drivers, military folks, and on and on. The demographics of California is not limited to what you see on TV shows. It's got a cross-section just like everyplace else.

  • Posted By: osowild @ 10/23/2007 11:59:06 PM

    I agree with Garbo. The HUGE difference between Katrina and the catastrophic fires is that the people of SoCal are not acting as victims and crying "poor me" they are banding together, making the best of a horrible situation. There are many more people affected by these fires then by Katrina, they are not killing each other, they are not trashing the stadium, they are not screaming that there is no help (even when the Fire Chief is pleading for resources) No, Southern Californians are dealing with the situation by being calm and rational...this helps the over worked, exhausted firefighters and police in their efforts...which, given the scope of the situation have done an incredible job! minimal loss of life and injuries and really minimal loss of structures for the amount of area they are covering.....they really need to be commended for all the hard work they are putting in....and pray for their safety and that they, themselves suffer no losses of homes while trying to save that of strangers, whom shall never meet......
    Shame that the government of New Orleans and Louisiana could not work as efficiently as CA has. The residents that had been impacted by Katrina would not have suffered so much. Maybe now they will realize that it was not the federal government that was at fault so much (yes, there is SOME fault there) Ray Nagin is not the man they think he is. he just put a different spin on the corruption to make them believe he was different.
    I, personally am thankful for all the annoying regulations and building codes....so far, that is what has saved my house here in the Santiago Fire, which is closing in quickly. I have my ceramic tile roof, fire retardant gel coated exterior, brush cleared, etc. If my home catches, at least I know that everything was done to save it. Thank you again to all the Firefighters, Police, Helicopter personnel, National Guard, Red Cross, News Crews, and fellow Southern Californians......Prayers!

  • Posted By: osowild @ 10/23/2007 11:58:10 PM

    I agree with Garbo. The HUGE difference between Katrina and the catastrophic fires is that the people of SoCal are not acting as victims and crying "poor me" they are banding together, making the best of a horrible situation. There are many more people affected by these fires then by Katrina, they are not killing each other, they are not trashing the stadium, they are not screaming that there is no help (even when the Fire Chief is pleading for resources) No, Southern Californians are dealing with the situation by being calm and rational...this helps the over worked, exhausted firefighters and police in their efforts...which, given the scope of the situation have done an incredible job! minimal loss of life and injuries and really minimal loss of structures for the amount of area they are covering.....they really need to be commended for all the hard work they are putting in....and pray for their safety and that they, themselves suffer no losses of homes while trying to save that of strangers, whom shall never meet......
    Shame that the government of New Orleans and Louisiana could not work as efficiently as CA has. The residents that had been impacted by Katrina would not have suffered so much. Maybe now they will realize that it was not the federal government that was at fault so much (yes, there is SOME fault there) Ray Nagin is not the man they think he is. he just put a different spin on the corruption to make them believe he was different.
    I, personally am thankful for all the annoying regulations and building codes....so far, that is what has saved my house here in the Santiago Fire, which is closing in quickly. I have my ceramic tile roof, fire retardant gel coated exterior, brush cleared, etc. If my home catches, at least I know that everything was done to save it. Thank you again to all the Firefighters, Police, Helicopter personnel, National Guard, Red Cross, News Crews, and fellow Southern Californians......Prayers!

  • Posted By: garbo @ 10/23/2007 11:02:51 PM

    Katrina, Katrina, Katrina. Get a new song, your record's broken. DId everyone forget about Southeast Texas and Hurricane Rita. People lost their homes there too and we never had the kind of aid New Orleans had. I'm sorry people still have to go through natural disasters. I really am. I survived Rita and I'm sure people will survive many more natural disasters to come. For those who have lost someone before, may you pull yourself together and work through your loss. We all have to.

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