Gulf Coast facing huge problems in event of major evacuation

[Berwick Bay]

This was what we faced in '06 in the aftermath of the horrible season of '05. But it didn't happen. We were granted a respite. But thats over now. In the event of a major storm in the Gulf, there will be more people than ever forced to think about evacuation. Industry will have to think about shutting down earlier and more often than before. I can foresee a situation where a storm is perhaps still in the Carribean and people are already in the process of gathering their essentials and leaving. If there's any doubt at all in the forecast (and their usually is in regards to Gulf of Mexico storms) people will tend to err on the side of caution. Of course the problem will be the early and often shutdowns of normal life, and then the syndrome of the boy who called wolf one too many times. Anyway, it could be a VERY stress-filled season in '07.

[Jagno]

Berwick Bay; Industries cannot shut down earlier. It is a 4 day process that has to go through cooling phases or massive explosions will occur making a hurricane the least of their worries. The mets give their best possible landfall estimates and they can't shut down every single time there is a storm in the Gulf or our economy would be in total shambles. The 72 hour forecast is what they hinge on as to whether to begin emergency shut down protocol procedures. I know because it was my child at Citgo finalizing the shut down as Rita was hitting. As for working people..................tell that to their employers who are trying to squeeze in that last penny before shutting down for who knows how long. As for who cried wolf..........................that's only going to be in areas that haven't been hit recently. I doubt seriously anyone who is still recovering minds the misses and trial runs at all. We may complain about the expense but never about getting out of harms way.

[bevgo]

I don't think anything is going to be different this year if a storm threatens. My daughter and son work for casinos and there is a lottery to determine who stays and who is allowed to go. Thank God I work from home for a great company so I can get the grandkids out if necessary. I stayed for Katrina but hav made a vow to never stay again. Staying was really stupid. I will be saving vacation time so I can evac if necessary. I pray though that it will not be necessary this year. I really don't think anything is going to close any earlier that usual. I don't forsee hospitals evacuating even though they went through pure hell in the aftermath of Katrina. All I hear is Katrina was a once in 100 years storm and that it is unlikely we will get hit like that again.

[LSU2001]

All I hear is Katrina was a once in 100 years storm and that it is unlikely we will get hit like that again.

Maybe you need to remind these people that Camile was a once in a 100 year storm as well. Only Katrina came along 36 years later and basically destroyed the MGC again.
Tim

[Bluefrog]

I would have to say that if the gulf coast has to evacuate this year for a hurricane it will be a nightmare that we have never experienced. I think most everyone is extremely nervous even about a tropical storm let alone a major hurricane. I think the evacuations would be something we have never seen before .....

[Extremeweatherguy]

I would have to say that if the gulf coast has to evacuate this year for a hurricane it will be a nightmare that we have never experienced. I think most everyone is extremely nervous even about a tropical storm let alone a major hurricane. I think the evacuations would be something we have never seen before .....

I agree that this year could get crazy. After a slow year last year (with not many evacuations), many will probably be a bit jumpy this season if and when monster storms begin to develop again.

[Kennethb]

For the next few years, evacuations will not be too bad. You will not have to convince many people to leave. In fact people will have evacuation plans set and enact on them. Many will start leaving days early. Now if we can get through several years with no major hits, then people will be hesistant to evacuate and wait until the last moment. We'll see how it goes this year.

[LSU2001]

I don't want to change the subject or to use this forum to bash FEMA or the City of NOLA but, I was listening to WWL radio a couple of days ago and they were saying that Orleans parish still has not signed any contracts with bus providers in the case of an evac. They estimated that as many as 37,000 people would need to be provided transportation out of Orleans parish. The program went on to say that Jefferson Parish has signed contracts but that the may still not have enough transport for all who needs it. This is a scary thought!!!! Could we possible see NOLA officials make the same types of mistakes that they made in 2005??? I sure hope not for the sake of the people in NOLA>
TIm

[MGC]

If New Orleans is threatened by another major hurricane this season, I bet we will see a replay of Katrina. The same political morons are running the show in Louisiana.....MGC

[NDG]

If New Orleans is threatened by another major hurricane this season, I bet we will see a replay of Katrina. The same political morons are running the show in Louisiana.....MGC

I don't understand why they keep electing them. You're right, the same thing could happen as it did when Katrina, but they better not have an excuse this time to evacuate the whole city, since the population of Orleans Parish is only half of what it was before Katrina.

[canegrl04]

Rita caused a great panic in Texas.The highways from Houston to Dallas were congested during evacuations.And who could forget the bus carrying elderly people that caught on fire

[WhiteShirt]

Rita caused a great panic in Texas.The highways from Houston to Dallas were congested during evacuations.And who could forget the bus carrying elderly people that caught on fire

Yes, it was. My family and I were part of that evacuation. Our evacuation plans are different now. I think it was more dangerous being on the road with many folks who were desperate for fuel, food, and water. I was told there were about 100 people who died in their cars from the heat. Unfortunately, many of those were elderly people.

[Bluefrog]

Any evacuation in Mississippi or Louisiana this year will be a nightmare to say the least. The people that usually stay WILL leave and the regular people will flee also thus resulting in a traffic jam. If New Orleans hasn't come up will a a good evac plan then shame on them .. if the people staying there haven't come up with a plan on their own then double shame on them. Learn the lesson people !!! Katrina was a wake up call for everyone in hurricane prone areas .... period. I promise you from my own experience you DO NOT want to go thru a Katrina .... I will never prepare the same again.

[TSmith274]

Any evacuation in Mississippi or Louisiana this year will be a nightmare to say the least. The people that usually stay WILL leave and the regular people will flee also thus resulting in a traffic jam. If New Orleans hasn't come up will a a good evac plan then shame on them .. if the people staying there haven't come up with a plan on their own then double shame on them. Learn the lesson people !!! Katrina was a wake up call for everyone in hurricane prone areas .... period. I promise you from my own experience you DO NOT want to go thru a Katrina .... I will never prepare the same again.

I'd venture to say that New Orleans has the best evacuation plan of any city in this country. Contraflow worked efficiently, and 80%+ were able to get out with little problem. For the people who heed the advice, they are able to leave the city in an efficient and effective manner. Problem is, we have a large segment of our population without transportation. I hate to say it, but they shouldn't have come back. Nowadays, New Orleans is only for people with transportation and the means to evacuate. The city is close to a deal for bussing, but it costs $4K per bus per day. N.O. just doesn't have that kind of money. It's going to take some assistance from the state level, and perhaps even the federal level. I think the plans will be in place by June 1 for all those people without transportation. We'll see.