White House in 2003 "New Orleans has well thought out hurricane evacuation plan"


The date is August 1, 2003.

The Deputy Director of the National Weather Service John E. Jones, Jr hosted "Ask the White House". Asked if we could see another hurricane like Andrew anytime in the near future, Jones basically downplayed it as a rare event.

When asked how New Orleans could survive possible high tides and a hurricane he said, "We work with New Orleans as well as other communities along the coast to help them plan on different contingencies of how to react should hurricanes approach from different directions. Many cities like New Orleans have well thought out evacuation plans that are put into affect when certain conditions occur."

Ask the people of New Orleans how well those plans are working. Once again, I repeat, the White House said in 2003 that in the event of rising tides or a major Hurricane, the City of New Orleans had an adequate evacuation plan.

Hurricane Katrina was a national disaster. The New Orleans Aftermath is a national tragedy. It is well known that the dike's and levees in New Orleans could handle a category 3 hurricane. Officials knew as well as everyone else through the media that Katrina was a category 5. This was no surprise. The proper number of National Guard troops, supplies and assistance should have been on hold and ready to boat or helicopter in. The lack of communication among police, military and other officials is unacceptable and historic in scope.

A handful of looters in New Orleans have been used by the Media and Government officials as a scapegoat and diversion from the real story here which is - Why has it taken so long? Some Media outlets and especially politicians are using the looters as an excuse for some areas in New Orleans not getting supplies. These people have been stranded and in a life or death situation. People don't seem to be that disgusted and there is no national outcry when it is other people rioting and actually terrorizing a city after a sports victory no less. Here is one of a few examples of some Boston Red's fans : http://www.thewbalchannel.com/news/3840099/detail.html

The Bush Administration and Congress needs to be held accountable for their indifference and belated half-empty promises. I'm Chaz Atlas and that's how I see it. http://www.whitehouse.gov/ask/20030801.html
- posted by Chaz Atlas @ Wednesday, August 31, 2005