Jefferson Trailer Evacuation Plans--Does this make sense?

[Audrey2Katrina]

Jefferson Parish trailer evacuation plan

Wednesday, May 17

A trailer evacuation plan for Jefferson Parish residents during serious weather that falls short of a full-scale evacuation was announced Wednesday by Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard.

Those residents will be able to stay in one of two shelters, one in East Jefferson and one on the West Bank, Broussard said.

Federal Emergency Management Agency officials have said the travel trailers are not secure enough to withstand hurricane-force winds.

Residents on the east bank would take shelter at Girard Playground, 5300 Irving St., Metairie, and residents on the West Bank would take shelter at PARD Playground, 5185 Eighty Arpent Road, Marerro.

Deano Bonano, the parish's emergency operations director, said the sheltering plan would only go into affect for tornados and other storms with severe winds higher than about 50 mph, according to a press release issued Wednesday by the parish.

Bonano, according to the release, said the parish would announce a different plan for trailer dwellers seeking refuge from tropical storms and hurricanes.

"It is not safe to ride out any significant storm weather in a FEMA trailer or any other type of mobile home," Bonano said.

Residents also could retreat to their damaged homes if they are structurally sound, staying in an interior room away from open windows and doors, Bonano said.

The announcement comes two weeks before the June 1 start of hurricane season as tens of thousands of displaced people live in the temporary homes that aren't designed to withstand high winds. Bonano said the parish has 16,000 FEMA trailers and an unknown number of private mobile homes parked at homes and businesses.

[Audrey2Katrina]

The reason I ask is because I LIVE close to the "Girard Playground" and at best, a couple of hundred people would be utterly cramped to distraction in that little place. Now with 16,000 FEMA trailers occupied here, the vast majority ON the East Bank, (roughtly 30,000 people), how in heaven's name is this a "Plan" for handling the Trailer folk of East Jefferson?

Looks like another prescription for disaster IMHO.

A2K

[vbhoutex]

Unless they are figuring very few will actually participate, it sure sounds short sighted and unsafe both.

[Audrey2Katrina]

it sure sounds short sighted and unsafe both.

When one considers how/why most of northern Metairie flooded... this is both an understatement..... and NO surprise...



A2K