Residents of New Orleans, Please Read

[Radar]

To the member that posted, what will happen to the homeless? Well, unfortunately they are the highest risk population for dying due to the storm. I don't know how many homeless people there are in N.O. but the number has to be in the thousands and then there are the residents that are just one paycheck away from being homeless they have to be in the tens of thousands. Unfortunately the local civil defense departments are going to be consumed with the undaunting task of helping those who have the means to leave get out. That means the homeless and the impoverished people will be those that most likely get caught in the middle of this hellish scenario. To the person that said "Urban Cleansing" shame on you. The homeless are human beings too. Many of the homeless are mentally ill, drug addicted or have encountered extreme abuse in their lives that they were never able to recover from. The simple fact remains that they are people also and have a right to life although they may be the "unsavory" citizens they are God's children as well.

To those who are leaving in NOLA, The surrounding LA area and the MS Gulf Coast. I implore you to check on any elderly or disabled neighbors, relatives, fellow church goers or acquaitances that you have, make sure they are able to leave before you leave. Even if it means having to take some material things out of your car to make room for them.... Save a life not property IF you can!

[soonertwister]

To the member that posted, what will happen to the homeless? Well, unfortunately they are the highest risk population for dying due to the storm. I don't know how many homeless people there are in N.O. but the number has to be in the thousands and then there are the residents that are just one paycheck away from being homeless they have to be in the tens of thousands. Unfortunately the local civil defense departments are going to be consumed with the undaunting task of helping those who have the means to leave get out. That means the homeless and the impoverished people will be those that most likely get caught in the middle of this hellish scenario.

NOLA emergency management has well-developed plans for evacuating the car-less, homeless, disabled and diadvantaged during a hurricane evacuation emergency. Their plan uses the large fleet of city buses to evacuate those who cannot get out on their own, relocating them to pre-planned shelter facilities well inland from the coast.

Don't presume that NOLA as a city is completely unprepared for an event like what this one could be, even if the citizens of the city may not be.

[Ziplock]

How do you think the event will be reported IF New Orleans takes a hit?

Where will the reporters broadcast from? Will it be days before we find out what really happened?

I suppose we'll see hours and hours of footage shot from 'copters.

I'm NOT saying "this is the big one", I'm asking "what if", and
"how".

Given the danger, you have to wonder what reporter in the right mind would elect to stay within the city.

Does anybody know what their (media) plans are??

Zip

[Radar]

Sooner,

Thank you for clarifying that. I'm sure N.O. does have well prepared plans for all people who live in the area. However, I fear that many of the homeless will not heed warnings or advisories.. They may not have access to televisions or radios to guide them to where they need to be to be moved out of the city. Also as sad as it is, many homeless are mentally ill and may not be able to rationalize the seriousness of the storm. Alot of homeless are drug addicts and may have a criminal mind set and are often the looters who may try to stay in the city and rob places for their personal gain. I believe many of them will try to stay in the city and take refuge at the Charity Hospital waiting room trying to get prescription drugs to get their fix... I know this sounds sad and maybe even mean but I believe the homeless are highest risk for dying not because the emergency managers havent prepared for them but because of personal choice and irrational thought processes. By the way does anyone have any information on what the hospitals like Tulane and Charity do in a situation like this? I know they can't close their doors and they can't possibility evac all the patients they have in their facility.. Do they vertically evacuate even though it is dangerous?

[bvigal]

To all those in the possible path of this storm, please take the advice of many here and make prudent decisions.

Count backwards from when the traffic could POSSIBLY become too congested to get out before the tropical storm force winds hit. Subtract from that the time needed to drive to safety. Subtract from that the total time you need to get ready what you plan to take (important papers, medications, diapers, clothing, some food and water), closing up your home, making arrangements where to go, etc. Then subtract at least another 4 hours for things that always go wrong or take longer than expected. If the time you get is already past or quickly approaching, YOU SHOULD GET MOVING!

You and your loved ones are more important than your property. PLEASE stay safe!! My prayers go with you.

[LSU2001]

To the member that posted, what will happen to the homeless? Well, unfortunately they are the highest risk population for dying due to the storm. I don't know how many homeless people there are in N.O. but the number has to be in the thousands and then there are the residents that are just one paycheck away from being homeless they have to be in the tens of thousands. Unfortunately the local civil defense departments are going to be consumed with the undaunting task of helping those who have the means to leave get out. That means the homeless and the impoverished people will be those that most likely get caught in the middle of this hellish scenario.

NOLA emergency management has well-developed plans for evacuating the car-less, homeless, disabled and diadvantaged during a hurricane evacuation emergency. Their plan uses the large fleet of city buses to evacuate those who cannot get out on their own, relocating them to pre-planned shelter facilities well inland from the coast.

Don't presume that NOLA as a city is completely unprepared for an event like what this one could be, even if the citizens of the city may not be.

Soonertwister but I am sorry to say that you are only partly right. The city of NOLA has for the past couple of years publicly stated numerous times that getting the poor and sick out of NOLA will be very, very difficult. There are not enough busses or any other transportation available to get everyone out. It is just that simple. Once contra flow begins once a vehicle leaves there will be no way back in so any bus that carries people out will have only one trip. The officials predict that as many as 100,00 people could be left behind. They have publicly stated that they simply do not have a good enough plan to evacuate everyone.
TIm

[CentralFlGal]

To evacuees:

We are opening our home to you and can shelter 2 families with children. We're located just north of Orlando. Please PM me and we can set up the arrangements.

We are praying for all of you.

[bvigal]

fuzzy and cetralflgal, bless you!
Bumping this up!

[smashmode]

Here are the models just so everyone in NOLA realizes the threat that is now apparent...

Looks like most of those tracks do not have a direct strike on NOLA..but appears to be just east.

[LAwxrgal]

Here are the models just so everyone in NOLA realizes the threat that is now apparent...

Looks like most of those tracks do not have a direct strike on NOLA..but appears to be just east.

Hmm... yeh, I see that. Some of the forecast models have shifted east, towards MS/AL border.

[goodlife]

look for a shift back west

[smashmode]

look for a shift back west

Any reason for this line of thinking?

perhaps that ridge is eroding quicker now.

[jkt21787]

look for a shift back west

Any reason for this line of thinking?

perhaps that ridge is eroding quicker now.

The tropicals run off the GFS. At 12z, the GFS showed a direct hit on New Orleans. The will shift back west. GFDL already has shifted back.

Most of the dynamical models are still NOLA area or into Western MS.

[bvigal]

fuzzy and cetralflgal, bless you!
Bumping this up!

On second though, maybe you should both post your generous housing offers in the "evacuations" thread, since this thread has already turned into yet another of dozens of "where will it go?/models changing" discussion.

[CentralFlGal]

Great idea. Moving it now.

Thanks bvigal

[MomH]

NOLA emergency management has well-developed plans for evacuating the car-less, homeless, disabled and diadvantaged during a hurricane evacuation emergency. Their plan uses the large fleet of city buses to evacuate those who cannot get out on their own, relocating them to pre-planned shelter facilities well inland from the coast.

Just finished reading about the bus plans for the homeless on the NOLA.com site someone posted previously. It indicated that the plans may be good but probably won't come to fruition. Of the 25 bus drivers supposed to show up for Georges, only 5 did. Unless they get National Guard ordered in to drive, most homeless will be out of luck.

[Stratosphere747]

You know 57..Some people may think that this may be overdramatic, But I don't think everyone truly realizes what may be unfolding here. This has to about the worst case scenario that we have feared. I'm truly sitting here in almost a state of shock if this plays out. The only saving grace is that we are still a few days from landfall and hopefully something changes.

Scott

[wxman57]

I zoomed in on New Orleans using our model plotter. Getting more concentrated just west of the city, and that is NOT good.

<img src="http://myweb.cableone.net/nolasue/katrina42.gif">