An aerial view of flooded school buses in a lot, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2005, in New Orleans, LA.
Very hypocritical for the mayor to be blaming everything on the federal government when he deserves equal, if not more blame for what's going on.
I'm not trying to add more fire to this blaming game, I just want all of those people blaming Bush to see both sides of the issue.
I read the article associated with those busses and it said at least one evacuation trip could have been made (possibly two) with 22,000 moved out of danger. It's unfortunate that some elected officials don't know how to respond in time of emergency.
Yeah, it is not all Bush's fault but damnit people. Don't be afraid to find fault in Bush.
He is only human you know.
There were more busses than that available. That's just one group of busses they didn't use.
Thats what's so funny. I've noticed that some political posters are just as polarized as the bush bashers. Instead of blaming bush, and quickly defending others, they blame others, and quickly defend bush.
^I think this thread was directed to those who dump all the blame on Bush without blaming anyone else.
I'm just trying to make them see that so many people are to blame, not just Bush.
After the Feds declared a State of Emergency on Friday it was really their call to use the buses or not, but this doesn't completely exonerate the Mayor or the Governor. Also, lets remember that all the roads out of town were completely packed with Tahoes and Escalades. Where were these buses supposed to go?
Now is this a fact or just your opinion?
Another reason to blame the local govt: They didn't make the evacuation mandatory earlier, thus creating chaos on the roads.
Many cars were still there when the hurricane hit.
I agree that there never was an effective, efficient plan for getting everyone out of town. But that's also a fed problem because it's their responsibility to spend the money to formulate such a plan, especially after 911. The Governor followed the letter of the law. So I'm not sure what some of you expected her to do.
Don't you ever watch the news? They even turned in-and-out lanes into one-direction out of town.
There was no plan to use the buses. No drivers, no gas, no money. Sure sounds like this was a FEMA mistake. Why didn't they fill the planes flying out of NO with people?
Doesn't completely exonerate????? Give me a break.
It was 100% the responsibility of local authorities, with the assistance of the state, to evacuate those people. 100% Dan. A Federal Declaration of Emergency has nothing to do with local evacuation. Utilizing those buses was even outlined in NO's own emergency response plans. The entire process, from using the buses, to managing the exodus, directing the flow of traffic WAS ENTIRELY the responsiblity of NO. Case closed. I can't believe anyone is still arguing this point.
Bull . Absolute and total bull , Dan.
The Fed doesn't officially make the calls even now now...The Feds role in this, even now, is official support of the state and city authorities.
The Mayor declared a state of Emergency and in doing so gained nearly total authority within the City. He even had the authority to prevent people from leaving....in fact he did so in several cases. He forced several hotels to remain open and staffed....
Yes, we all know Honare's is the one running the ing show, now...but officially, even now, all he is, is the assistant to the Govenor and Mayor.
I can't believe you will tell a baldfaced lie like that...but the truth is...you probably didn't come up with that on your own...you probably picked that up at the DNC homepage or something like that.
I don't bull ...
WhiteHouse.govThe President today declared an emergency exists in the State of Louisiana and ordered Federal aid to supplement state and local response efforts in the parishes located in the path of Hurricane Katrina beginning on August 26, 2005, (Friday)and continuing.
The President's action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under le V of the Stafford Act, to save lives, protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the parishes of Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Caldwell, Claiborne, Catahoula, Concordia, De Soto, East Baton Rouge, East Carroll, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Franklin, Grant, Jackson, LaSalle, Lincoln, Livingston, Madison, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Pointe Coupee, Ouachita, Rapides, Red River, Richland, Sabine, St. Helena, St. Landry, Tensas, Union, Vernon, Webster, West Carroll, West Feliciana, and Winn.
Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent Federal funding.
Representing FEMA, Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response, Department of Homeland Security, named William Lokey as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FEMA (202) 646-4600
8-28 - President Bush called and personally appealed to the Mayor of New Orleans to order an emegency evacuation.
Later on 8-28 - New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin ordered an emergency evac.
The State of Emergency conditions for both the city of NO and the State of Louisiana were all reafy in effect.
The Mayor had powers within in the city of New Orleans that even the President didn't have. Ditto the Govenor.
In fact I am pretty sure he could have prevented the Greyhound Bus Station from closing early, leaving thousands in line to get out of town, and didn't.
I will tell you right now...this guy is going to go down hard...
You just wait till a Black Politician running for mayor gets hold of his ass in the next elections....He'll wish it was just the CIA trying to kill him.
If you don't believe me about what kind of authority this guy had...ask FWDT..he's a Lawyer.
Here is the letter from the Governor declaring a state of Emergency...
The full text of the letter follows:Gov,state.la.usFRIDAY, AUGUST 26TH
GOVERNOR BLANCO DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY
BATON ROUGE, LA--Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco today issued Proclamation No. 48 KBB 2005, declaring a state of emergency for the state Louisiana as Hurricane Katrina poses an imminent threat, carrying severe storms, high winds, and torrential rain that may cause flooding and damage to private property and public facilities, and threaten the safety and security of the citizens of the state of Louisiana The state of emergency extends from Friday, August 26, 2005, through Sunday, September 25, 2005, unless terminated sooner.
http://www.gov.state.la.us/Press_Release_detail.asp?id=...
SATURDAY, AUGUST 27TH
Governor Blanco asks President to Declare an Emergency for the State of Louisiana due to Hurricane Katrina
BATON ROUGE—Today Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco forwarded a letter to President Bush requesting that he declare an emergency for the State of Louisiana due to Hurricane Katrina.
In response to the situation I have taken appropriate action under State law and directed the execution of the State Emergency Plan on August 26, 2005 in accordance with Section 501 (a) of the Stafford Act. A State of Emergency has been issued for the State in order to support the evacuations of the coastal areas in accordance with our State Evacuation Plan and the remainder of the state to support the State Special Needs and Sheltering Plan.
Pursuant to 44 CFR § 206.35, I have determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and affected local governments, and that supplementary Federal assistance is necessary to save lives, protect property, public health, and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a disaster. I am specifically requesting emergency protective measures, direct Federal Assistance, Individual and Household Program (IHP) assistance, Special Needs Program assistance, and debris removal.
Dan, for your reading pleasure...
The Hurricane Emergency Evacuation Standard Operating Procedure is designed to deal with all case scenarios of an evacuation in response to the approach of a major hurricane towards New Orleans. It is designed to deal with the anticipation of a direct hit from a major hurricane. This includes identifying the city's present population, its projected population, identification of at-risk populations (those living outside levee protection or in storm-surge areas, floodplains, mobile homes, etc.), in order to understand the evacuation requirements. It includes identifying the transportation network, especially the carrying-capacity of proposed evacuation routes and existing or potential traffic bottlenecks or blockages, caused either by traffic congestion or natural occurrences such as rising waters. Identification of sheltering resources and the establishment of shelters and the training of shelter staff is important, as is the provision for food and other necessities to the sheltered. This preparation function is the responsibility of the Office of Emergency Preparedness.
Conduct of an actual evacuation will be the responsibility of the Mayor of New Orleans in coordination with the Director of the Office of Emergency Preparedness, and the OEP Shelter Coordinator. The SOP, in unison with other elements of the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, is designed for use in all hazard situations, including citywide evacuations in response to hurricane situations and addresses three elements of emergency response: warning, evacuation, and sheltering.
1. Warning: Formulates a comprehensive system for public information, early recognition of impending storms, and dissemination of emergency warning.
2. Evacuation: Formulates an effective procedure for orderly evacuation of residents and visitors within available warning time.
3. Sheltering: Formulates a comprehensive system of accessible shelters of adequate size.
The SOP is limited as it is not designed to address the protection of personal and real property, yet is developed to cover the total New Orleans geographic area. The timely issuance of evacuation orders critically impacts upon the successful evacuation of all citizens from high-risk areas. In determining the proper time to issue evacuation orders, there is no subs ute for human judgement based upon all known cir stances surrounding local conditions and storm characteristics.
Information received from the National Hurricane Center concerning the storm's tract will allow the focusing on either a landfall, paralleling or exiting storm scenario. Information involving local conditions such as pre-hurricane rainfall, tide schedules, and the amount of pre-storm publicity, must be taken into account, as are the various known cir stances that are explained in the information summary portion of the Hurricane Evacuation Plan, in determining when an evacuation order should be issued. Any assumption regarding where and how the storm will likely make landfall involves clear and constant communication with the National Hurricane Center, the local office of the National Weather Service, State OEP and various local agencies that are monitoring either the storm's progress or other elements of the city's preparedness to weather the storm's passage.
The City of New Orleans will utilize all available resources to quickly and safely evacuate threatened areas. Those evacuated will be directed to temporary sheltering and feeding facilities as needed. When specific routes of progress are required, evacuees will be directed to those routes. Special arrangements will be made to evacuate persons unable to transport themselves or who require specific life saving assistance. Additional personnel will be recruited to assist in evacuation procedures as needed.
Slow developing weather conditions (primarily hurricane) will create increased readiness culminating in an evacuation order 24 hours (12 daylight hours) prior to predicted landfall. Disabled vehicles and debris will be removed from highways so as not to impede evacuation. In local evacuations involving more than fifty (50) families (i.e. 50 single dwelling units), staging areas may be established at the closest available public area outside the threatened area. Upon arrival at the staging area, evacuees will be directed to the appropriate shelter facility. Evacuees will be encouraged to stay with friends or relatives in non-threatened areas whenever possible. Security measures will be employed to protect the evacuated area(s) in accordance with established procedures and situations.
The use of travel-trailers, campers, motorcycles, bicycles, etc., during the evacuation will be allowed so long as the situation permits it. Public information broadcasts will include any prohibitions on their use. Transportation will be provided to those persons requiring public transportation from the area. (See Special Needs Transportation, ESF-1). An orderly return to the evacuated areas will be provided after the Mayor determines the threat to be terminated. Transportation back to the evacuated area after threat termination will be provided as available.
III. EVACUATION ORDER
A. Authority
As established by the City of New Orleans Charter, the government has jurisdiction and responsibility in disaster response. City government shall coordinate its efforts through the Office of Emergency Preparedness
The authority to order the evacuation of residents threatened by an approaching hurricane is conferred to the Governor by Louisiana Statute. The Governor is granted the power to direct and compel the evacuation of all or part of the population from a stricken or threatened area within the State, if he deems this action necessary for the preservation of life or other disaster mitigation, response or recovery. The same power to order an evacuation conferred upon the Governor is also delegated to each political subdivision of the State by Executive Order. This authority empowers the chief elected official of New Orleans, the Mayor of New Orleans, to order the evacuation of the parish residents threatened by an approaching hurricane.
B. Issuance of Evacuation Orders
The person responsible for recognition of hurricane related preparation needs and for the issuance of an evacuation order is the Mayor of the City of New Orleans. Concerning preparation needs and the issuance of an evacuation order, The Office of Emergency Preparedness should keep the Mayor advised.
IV: HURRICANE EVACUATION PROCEDURES
It must be understood that this Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan is an all-hazard response plan, and is applicable to events of all sizes, affecting even the smallest segments of the community. Evacuation procedures for small scale and localized evacuations are conducted per the SOPs of the New Orleans Fire Department and the New Orleans Police Department. However, due to the sheer size and number of persons to be evacuated, should a major tropical weather system or other catastrophic event threaten or impact the area, specifically directed long range planning and coordination of resources and responsibilities efforts must be undertaken.
A. Evacuation Time Requirements
Using information developed as part of the Southeast Louisiana Hurricane Task Force and other research, the City of New Orleans has established a maximum acceptable hurricane evacuation time standard for a Category 3 storm event of 72 hours. This is based on clearance time or is the time required to clear all vehicles evacuating in response to a hurricane situation from area roadways. Clearance time begins when the first evacuating vehicle enters the road network and ends when the last evacuating vehicle reaches its destination.
Clearance time also includes the time required by evacuees to secure their homes and prepare to leave (mobilization time); the time spent by evacuees traveling along the road network (travel time); and the time spent by evacuees waiting along the road network due to traffic congestion (delay time). Clearance time does not refer to the time a single vehicle spends traveling on the road network. Evacuation notices or orders will be issued during three stages prior to gale force winds making landfall.
> Precautionary Evacuation Notice: 72 hours or less
> Special Needs Evacuation Order: 8-12 hours after Precautionary Evacuation Notice issued
> General Evacuation Notice: 48 hours or less
Look at what I bolded. The people who left by car were 100 times better off than those stuck in their homes when the waters came for them. You're grasping at straws. How many people drowned driving out of NO compared to those that stayed?
Jelly quit confusing the left with actual facts... sheesh...
Ouch Jelly!
Share power with the Federal Government...something she still hasn't been willing to do.
Officially...she is still in charge of everything going on in LA and NO...unofficially...It's Honare doing the jobs of the Mayor, and Govenor, as well as his own duties as the FEMA man.
Jelly, yes I have read that before, but none of that mattered once the Feds took over. It became their baby after that. The Governors letter clearly states that State and local resources were being pushed to the breaking point.
Just ask yourself: If this wasn't a job created specifically for FEMA and Homeland Security then why do these agencies even exist?
Poor Dan,
Government do ents online spell out responsibility and authority, and he still tries to pin it on FEMA and Bush.
If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, Dan thinks it's a ing raccoon.
To toture your soul Dan.
...and quit being so desperate you'll grasp at empty straws.
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