City of Boston preparing for Katrina victims

[Persepone]

On the news tonight (local Comcast Cable News) said that Boston is preparing for some Katrina victims to come to Boston.

Also, Massachusetts universities and colleges are taking students from schools in Katrina's path...

[Mattie]

YAAAA!

[GalvestonDuck]

Very cool!

[crazycajuncane]

I'm just curious as to how many will go that far north.

My thoughts are that Houston, Lake Charles, Lafayette and Baton Rouge willl take on most of the refugees of this storm.

Many business in New Orleans operate throughout the state. I don't see those business owners going far. There are people who want to live in New Orleans again.

[GalvestonDuck]

Arkansas is taking in many now also, as well as Memphis.

[Mattie]

I read an article this morning that some will go to Arizona.

Terrific! Lessening the burden on specific areas will be much needed and appreciated by the evacuees (overcrowding etc.) and the towns who will be able to give their evacuees more than if they were feeding triple #s.

[simplykristi]

We have many evacuees here in the KC area.

Kristi

[adbullock]

I know that among our friends from New Orleans/Slidell, etc. most of them are planning to leave and go to different places. A couple are going to Boston, some are going to Wisconsin, others are going to TX and north MS, even NYC. But none that I have spoken to have immediate plans to go back. These are all recent college graduates; people beginning careers and families. The kind of people that a city like NO would need in order to begin building a solid economic infrastructure.

But the questions remain that even if the desire to rebuild and begin again for this great city is there; will it be safe? The ground is full of toxins and no one can accurately predict the immediate or long term damage they can cause. Will it be safe in 6 months, 6 years, or 60 years? And the absolute truth of the matter is that it took centuries for NO to become what it was a week ago. Does anyone really think it can be that easily rebuilt? It's not just about the buildings they have very little to do with what makes NO great. So much of that is gone now. It can no longer be the city that care forgot. It is marked by scars that will not be so easily hidden. I think the worst part is the uncertainty. So for those who are beginning families or paying off student loans; they have to leave and go somewhere where they can begin again. They can't wait indefinitely and I'm not certain it would be healthy to do so.

[StormsAhead]

I'm just curious as to how many will go that far north.

Boston Globe says that Massachusetts is offering space for 2,000.