Originally Posted By Malin People in New Orleans are being asked to flee the city in preparation for Hurricane Gustav which is on its way, almost three years to the day that Katrina hit the city. Lets hope mistakes were learnt from Katrina.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Actually the evacuations began yesterday and Georgia had already made plans and arrangements for 10,000 evacues to come here to the Atlanta area most likely since we have the hotels to accomidate that number of people. I have friends that flew down to New Orleans on friday landing at 4 pm. They had called the airlines and were told everything flight wise was OK for the weekend. They called their hotel ( Ritz Carlton ) and were told that everything was OK for the weekend. They landed at 4 pm and went directly to their hotel. I should mention that Labor Day Weekend is when Southern Decadance is held in New Orlenas each year. OK, so they got to their hotel and there were problems at the hotel, no hot water, card key problems. So the hotel so the Ritz Carlton gave them a free bar tab and they started drinking ( heavily ). They said sometime after midnight they got a slip of paper under their door saying that the Ritz Carlton was ceasing operations and shuting down by noon 8-30-08 do to the hurricane. So at 2 AM they immediately went to the airport and took the first available flight out to Washington DC at 4 AM, staying only 12 hours. Once they arrived at the airpot they were told that ALL flights for the next three days were booked and that the airport would be shutting down that satruday evening. They were furious about this incident and blamed President Bush for shutting down the hotel and airport. They said, "It was like being on the Titantic, everyone was partying and having fun, then it was chaos! Once the hotels were shut down the tourists had nowhere to go but the airport. We were basically homeless. The 700 buses that FEMA had standing by were for the residents of New Orleans and no evacuation plans were in place for tourists". They also mentioned that they would never go back to New Orleans again. I asked them who "pulled the plug". "Who shut down the hotels"? Who shut down the airport?". They didn't know but were still determined to place the blame on President Bush. Oh course now we know that it was the Mayor of New Orleans that initiated the evacuation plan for New Orleans and not President Bush. Perhaps the Ritz Carlon decided to shut their doors and that move was not requested by the Mayor ( I don't know ). My friends said they believe they were lucky to get out of New Orleans and called the evacuation yesterday "One big fire alarm". They said they would be spending this weekend in Washington DC as it was too late to make arrangements to go elsewhere. I should also point out that one of my friends ( the one that I spoke with on the phone ) is originally from Ft Lauderdale, FL and has lived on coastal TX so is use to hurricanes. He believes that New Orleans, Lousianna and FEMA have all over reacted when it comes to Gustav. He quickly points out that Gustav was over Cuba yesterday and wasn't even in the Gulf. There was plenty of time to get everyone out. Everyone could have gotten out monday well before landfall ( I want to point out that I have no idea if everyone could have infact gotten out on monday ). I should also point out that as far as I know the airport is still open as of today, sunday. I also know that at least one airline, Air Tran has sent additional planes to New Orleans to get travelors out. I'm sure everyone will be following this hurricane and its approach on New Orleans closely.
Originally Posted By SuperDry Even in the case of crisis, WE can provide a familiar, re-assuring shoulder to lean on: Gustav hasn't even made landfall yet and we already see the excuses on why FEMA shortcomings are apparently the local's fault.
Originally Posted By gadzuux It won't be long now before we're hearing that it's god's wrath on a sinful city.
Originally Posted By hopemax So you didn't hear Michael Moore's comments on Olbermann on Friday? I asked DH not to watch that part before he came on, but he let it start. Then MM said something about how the timing of the RNC and Gustav proves that there is a God in heaven. I looked at DH and said, "Does he even know what he is saying!" Then DH flipped to his soccer game.
Originally Posted By ecdc I certainly don't endorse Moore's comments, but there is a political aspect to this, and it benefits the GOP, not the Democrats. First and foremost, it gives them an excuse to not have Bush or Cheney at the RNC convention this week. Both canceled their appearance - how often does that happen? It also gives the GOP the chance to show everyone how seriously they're taking the storm - this time around. American's gnat-like attention span will forget about their failures with Katrina and Bush et all will be shown responding responsibly and competently to Gustav.
Originally Posted By velo the CEO of the convention was just on talking about turning the remaining days into a "fund-raising even." They're "mobilizing warehouses for care packages/aid" etc. See, they care..... Talk about spin.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom On our news tonight they announced that hundreds of dogs and cats from New Orleans have been brought to metro Atlanta and will be available for adoption tuesday. The news said that animal shelter personnel did not want a repeat of animals perishing during hurricane Katrina. The news also announced that metro Atlanta hotels are filling up with New Orleans residents. Sounds like everybody is taking Gustav very seriously.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I ment to say hundreds of dogs and cats from New Orleans animal shelters.
Originally Posted By beamerdog Phew, thanks for the correction about the animal shelters. My bp came down immediately, lol.
Originally Posted By Mr X Hopefully it will be the anti-Katrina in terms of death and destruction as well! <--fingers crossed
Originally Posted By SuperDry Meanwhile, SuperDry has relocated to Denver to avoid any possibility of being affected by the storm.
Originally Posted By Mr X Did you say hi to Barack? Hope your place winds up unaffected, SD! Keep in touch!
Originally Posted By ecdc LOL. I should screen capture that little exchange. Hope things go well for you SuperDry. I don't recall where you live, but I hope your home is safe while you're in Denver.
