[HPFGU-OTChatter] Disasters

[Chancie]

>
> Actually, every time there is a hurricane expected, insurance companies
have
> adjusters standing by before landfall, so them being ready in New Orleans
> is standard procedure. There was a voluntary evacuation requested on
Friday,
> when the storm was still being predicted to come to me here in Panama
City,
> Florida. Yes, the mandatory evacuation seemed to come at the last minute,
> but it was ordered as soon as it was evident that New Orleans would be
> hit. When the mandatory evacuation was ordered, buses were provided to
> move people to the superdome, which was set up as a shelter.
> Jenny 




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Chancie:

I also would like to add, that it is not to say that having an earlier
"mandatory" evacuation would have saved any more lives, or 
put any of the survivors to date in a better scenario, simply because
while there were many in New Orleans who did want to leave,
but were unable to, there were just as many that REFUSED to leave.
Regardless of "voluntary" or "mandatory" evacuations, no one can
force anyone from their homes.  

And too, hurricanes change direction so quickly, and can have changes 
in wind so quickly, that it's not really possible to say what will, and 
will not be a major hurricane when it hits land, and where it will hit much 
more than 24 hours.  If the gov. was to do try to give  notice sooner, then 
they would be calling for evacuations of possibly HUNDREDS of coastal
communities, and after 2 or 3 of this type of evacuation orders, people 
would learn to ignore the warnings all together.  Any one who lives
on the coast in the south knows to watch any approaching hurricanes,
and we (I still say "we" even though I haven't lived there in nearly 3
years)
also know that it's to our advantage to have basic hurricane supplies on
hand,
to keep from having to rush to the stores constantly.  There have been 
many occasions where hurricanes have been considered "major" and ended 
up being little more than a big thunder storm because of last minute
downgrading
in the wind.  The problem isn't really not giving enough notice, it's 
that hurricanes are a normal part of life in the south, and most are little
to worry about, unfortunately some people still take that way of thinking
when the big ones come along too.  

Also just one more comment,  had the gov. also activated the national guard
before the disaster, then not only would it be endangering the lives of the 
guardsmen, but it would have also possibly have worsened the relief
efforts by getting them stuck in a place that was in less need of supplies.

Chancie