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FLButtSlut -> RE: How many of us are ready for a Katrina? (9/17/2005 10:31:43 PM)
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The devastation of Katrina was horrific, no doubt about it. I moved to the Gulf Coast of Florida from NJ. Both states do get hit with hurricanes, although naturally the Gulf Coast will get hit worse than NJ. I have noticed quite a few differences between the southern frame of mind and the northern.
The saddest thing about Katrina is the number of people who chose not to leave. Not who were unable, but who chose to stay. The path of this storm had been predicted for at least a week, and the towns, parishes, communities did not even think to prepare their shelters until 24 hours before. I am neutral about GW, but that was not his fault at all.
The police, fire and rescue in Louisiana was quite vocal about having to work continuously without time off. So much so that they were promised family vacations to Las Vegas on the tax payers dollar. This is appalling. I lived in NJ when 9/11 struck, and I was 35 miles outside of Manhatten. I could see the smoke from my home that day and had many friends who worked in the city, some of whom were sadly lost. The police, fire and rescue workers for that disaster REFUSED to take time off. They worked around the clock and even when told to take breaks refused. Small naps were taken leaning against a wall and that was only when they were falling asleep standing up. These brave men and women did this because the job wasn't finished and they were determined to rescue every one they could. They didn't receive family vacations for their dedication either.
Gun control in the north, as many know is vastly different from the south. Here in Florida, just about anyone who does not have a felony or mental illness will be granted a license to carry a concealed weapon. While I am not against anyone's right to protect themselves, all of the shooting in Louisiana wouldn't have occurred up north because most of the people are not running around with handguns.
My best friend in NJ asked me how the North Carolinians could even consider not evacuating for Olivia. I guess I have truly become a Floridian already because I laughed and told her of course they aren't going to evacuate on a CAT 1 or CAT 2! When you live in the coastal areas that get hit regularly, CAT 1 or 2 is not much more than a lot of wind and rain, unless you live in a flood zone (I personally live about a mile from the beach).
Last year (because we haven't been hit with any major storms in my area this year, thankfully), the schools would close 2 days before the storm was due to hit so that they could be prepared as shelters. It seems, my area at least, takes the prediction seriously enough to prepare well in advance.
Mr. Warren, You sir, are most definately ready for a hurricane when it hits. It sounds like you have yourself quite a fortress set up. Many people in Florida, however, do not have the financial or storage capacity to prepare as well as you. As for your concern about backed up toilets, I have a much simpler solution for you. At any well equiped camping store, or try Coleman on line, you can purchase your own "port-a-pot". It is a small, portable toilet used for camping. They are available from the very modestly priced to the more elaborate, expensive type. All are used with a type of bag system which is changed after each (or a number of) uses. It would seem that would be much more pleasant than going outside over the sewer.
My prayers go out to all of those displaced and suffering from Katrina. They have a very rough time ahead of them recovering. A bar on Bourbon Street re-opened for business pretty quickly, so the heart of New Orleans is alive and well to give her people hope. I have suffered through devastating disasters in my life, and I always try to believe the old saying "that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger". Right now, hard for many to believe, but in time and in retrospect, these people will recover.
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