At first glance, it looks as though the test was passed ... or was it? Yes, Louisiana -- under new governor Bobby Jindal -- did well. The system used to notify residents of an impending storm worked appropriately, as did the system to evacuate residents who were unable to evacuate on their own.
The system of busses and trains worked properly, along with the process of picking up residents and getting them to transportation terminals. Even the process for evacuating pets worked as planned. The only glitch in the evacuation system was the electronic identification program to provide bar coded ID bracelets to all fleeing the area.
However, there were a few other disturbing events. For instance, many of those who evacuated -- either as part of the governmental system or those who evacuated on their own -- believe officials "jumped the gun" in ordering mandatory evacuations. Many were interviewed after the storm complaining officials should have taken a "wait and see" approach before calling for everyone to leave.
The entire metropolitan New Orleans area looked like ghost towns in the hours before the storm made land fall. More than 2-million residents headed north, east, and west to escape the punishing winds and storm surge of Gustav.
For residents not staying with relatives or in emergency shelters, there was a mad scrambled for hotel and motel rooms. Many had to drive 10-hours or more to get rooms as far away as Memphis, Austin, and Little Rock.
By the grace of God, Gustav was no Katrina, just a lesser cousin which weakened to a Category 2 storm as it came into Louisiana. That "tranquil" classification left many evacuees weary and wondering why they had left their homes and traveled so far. The reality is they took to the roads not only because of mandatory evacuations, but because the horrors of Hurricane Katrina just three years ago were still raw in the minds of everyone.
It is very easy to say the National Weather Service, the National Hurricane Center, Jindal, and even New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin were strong in their statements telling residents to pack their belongings and get out of town. Hindsight is always perfect.
But, what if? What if Gustav had come in as a Cat 4 storm as originally thought? What if the storm had made a "jog" to the east as so often happens with big Gulf of Mexico storms? What if the levees in and around New Orleans had not held? What if there were scenes of people sweltering in the sun without food and water? What if people had not evacuated and were stranded in their homes or on rooftops? What if bodies were floating in the flood waters? What if Gustav had been the twin brother of Katrina? What if?
The what if would have resulted in chaos again, this time with the whole world asking why wasn't something done. The same people who complained of no help in Katrina, now complain because there was help -- and planning -- for Gustav and future hurricanes.
The process was not perfect ... few things are. And with Hurricane Ike about the enter the Gulf of Mexico, residents and governmental agencies may have to run the entire process again in about one week. The question is whether residents -- with short memories and a bitter taste in their mouths -- will again heed the warnings and mandatory evacuations.
There is no reason to stay. The Army Corps of Engineers has said the levee system in and around New Orleans cannot withstand the surges of a Cat 3 hurricane. For those without money, transportation, or lodging, the state has provided alternatives. For those who can afford the cost and imposition, there are roads out of town and accommodations awaiting.
After Hurricane Katrina everyone was quick to point a finger concerning everything that went wrong. And no one wants to replay the barbarity of that event. Weary or not, residents must follow the calls for evacuation now and in the future. It is the only way to save the most important possession granted to each of us ... life.
" ... or so this news junkie thinks!"
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