Issac

I wonder if the current administration ends up having to send out guilt-money-pay-checks to the people of New Orleans following an incompetant response. Time will tell.

Perhaps people didn't evacuate because that area survived Katrina and weather/news reporters have cried wolf one too many times. Perhaps, they didn't know what to believe.

Recently, there was some local flooding due to rains in a small area of a neighborhood in the city where my mom lives. Our local news showed photos and interviewed residents affected by the storm. The way they portrayed the story indicated my mom's entire town was under water. Totally, not the case. It was a small area in one of the subdivisions south of where she lives. We've had some large dust storms this summer. The day after one of them, I received an email from an out of state relative concerned about my safety. It must have been a slow news/weather day as the concern was the dust storm was so large, it swallowed up Phoenix and we all sunk into the desert.

At some point the decision needs to be made that certain parts of greater NOLA simply need to be abandoned. We've over-engineered the entire Missouri-Mississippi watershed. The delta and barrier islands are toast. Too many people in the wrong place. Of course, no one will make that decision so we'll keep on dumping money into rebuild after rebuild after rebuild.

So which "sinful" American citizens did Pat Robertson blame this one on?

Ok, what about me???? I live in St. Louis and I'm, more than likely, going to get hit again by another one of these storms. I'm at my old house today shoring up things just in case I get flooded again. I'm still dealing with lawsuits over the last one and that one was four years ago (IKE). There's no place totaly safe from all types of bad weather, drought, fires, etc.

Sure, there's a better chance of getting hammered in one place over another, but that doesn't mean you leave for good. Now, would I stay and face the storm head on..... HELL NO!!! If the cops say leave I'm gone and they should be too. I have pitty when they lose everything but they shouldn't risk their life and stay in an area they know will be impacted.

Ray

Those who defy evacuation orders (or drive into waters despite warning signs...you name it) put others' lives at risk. I bow to those who rescue people. One part of me says there should be no rescue efforts where people choose to ignore evacuation orders, and this should be communicated way before storm season. Resources are needed to help those who can't help themselves, older ones, nursing home residents, etc.

Having said that, I know second hand (my parents) something about how difficult it is to evacuate. They evacuated (under orders) from the So. Carolina coast 3 times. Only once did damage occur to their place, and it was very minor. The third time, when they got to sis's home in Charlotte NC (about 12 hours on the road, bumper to bumper inching along, not sure where they pee'd...didn't ask),the worst of that storm was pummeling Charlotte (inland), way worse than what went on at their home in So Car.

Then you wonder, what do you take with you, and what do you leave behind? Can be very distressing. What about your g-mom's china or other prized possessions? Other than some clothing and survival stuff she settled on photo albums. Of course those had a lot of really old and unreplaceable photos, not like the digital stuff now. I remember her saying "next time, I'm just going to stay and take my chances." They didn't experience another storm to test that conviction. They were law abiding folks so who knows. But evacuation is not so easy, as I'm sure many here know very well.

Call me selfish but I prefer to live rather than worry about saving grandma's photos. I am not replaceable while grandma's photos may or may not be- they still come in a distant second.

Neither she, nor I, said that was the choice everyone should make.

Actually, though I believe I contributed reasoned and non-judgmental commentary in response to your post, dmilled, I'm sorry that I did, given your snarky put-down to it. Yeah, selfish is about right.

Snarky- na, I am just tired of others making excuses for others who make unfathomable decisions.

drmilled, it appears you haven't had to deal with Grandma whose body might be ailing yet her mind is sharp as a whistle. Her prized possession might be a figurine that survived the hurricane of 19 _ _ when you were just a glimmer of hope in your parent's eyes. She treasures those photos because it's how she connects with family dear and near to her heart yet live far away. Waking up and seeing her possessions provide comfort and the knowledge that she made it through the night and has another day to enjoy. I can assure you if she read these boards, she wouldn't give a flying *^$$(*& as to what others think cause she's Grandma. So far she's made it 90 + years doing things HER way and will continue to do so.