Although it was over a thousand miles away, the tornados that destroyed GreensburgKansas reminded us that there is a chance that global warming is playing havoc with our lives.Regardless, it was disheartening and sobering to see a town demolished.
On Friday, New Orleans had a wake up call of our own with massive street flooding after a torrential rain.
Both circumstances were products of weather, whether or not, it was due to a climate shift.
But, both events make us wonder if we are ready for the next big one to hit Louisiana in the form of a tropical storm or hurricane.
If New Orleans could not handle a heavy rain in various parts of the city, just imagine what would happen if we suffered a major downpour such as a hurricane.
With our being only weeks away from Hurricane season II post-Katrina, the events of Greensburg give us pause and creates tears in our hearts.
We know all so well what it is like to have our homes shredded or drowned.
We know so well what is like to pick up the pieces and start over.
So often, on our BuzzBacks we get comments from people saying about Katrina—“get over it”.
Sorry, it is very hard when you’ve had friends commit suicide, a city 40 times the size in terms of population of Greensburg destroyed, and federal policies that make it virtually impossible to recover.
Again, there are our own domestic problems that existed before Katrina and manifested themselves even more after that brutal horrific storm.But, just as we watch those horrible TV pictures of families who lives were ruined during the tornados, we watched tens of thousands of people’s lives totally uprooted due to a hurricane.
Last year, we were lucky.All the major storms hit a barrier and scooted up the Atlantic and back into the colder sea.This year, our luck might run out.
The United States has made some improvements to our infrastructure and to that extent we are so grateful.But, truly, considering all of the money that is flowing out to beef up a country we never should have invaded, that money could have created better pumping systems, hurricane barriers and seeded our coast.
It would not have taken a year or two years to get these projects completed.But, in harsh reality, as last Friday is our proof, and as global warming might be playing a more serious role in the intensity and frequency of violent storms, we are not ready for the next big one, nonetheless.
The Republicans were at fault during the months post-Katrina and making sure that Louisiana was protected.Now, the Democrats need to focus on our needs for our own survival.
The Army Corps of Engineers needs to focus bigger, faster and with greater accuracy on fixing what they wrought.
Greensburg was a wake up call.New Orleans flooding was a siren.With the luck of mother nature, we might be saved another year.Then, again, our pictures that have been reposted on our walls in our homes, the universities that have been rebuilt, the money that has gone into the Road Home could be washed away in an instance.
It is time for us to reassess our priorities.Terror begins at home.We felt it, we know it and we need to prevent the terror of a wicked Mother Nature when she has gone mad.
I can't believe all this yelling and screaming is still going on. But what I really hate to see is the misunderstanding of what really happened. President Bush is being blamed for poor levees? That has been a problem long before Bush came into office. In fact President Bush raised the request for levee protection in his budgets. But you don't fix a problem like that in a few years, especially when it is built on peatmoss. Second, President Bush is blamed for the catastrophe of the most successful search and rescue operation ever conducted. Does that make sense? Did anyone notice that on the day the levees broke the USCG rescued over 2000 people from roof tops? The USN had a hospital ship practically following the hurricane into the coast. We had so many doctors and nurses on hand that they didn't have any work. The Feds reacted and reacted as strongly and as quickly as the law and GOV Blanco would allow. Let's place the blame where it belongs and get things repaired and repaired properly.
Written by MAJGross
on 5/31/2007
LT, you still haven't told me what you were doing in New Orleans, nor have you explained why it is that you saw saw some events unfold in person, and others on television - how you managed to watch television in a city without functioning transmission towers or electricity. Look, I don't mean to belittle what happened to you in your storms (I wouldn't dream of that after what happened to me), but you need to take a step back and appreciate the scale of what happened in New Orleans, just in terms of sheer number of people affected, and in terms of how long the floodwaters were there. It was a lot worse in those terms than anything you've mentioned. Period. And stop calling me a "reverse" racist; I'm a white guy, you moron.
Written by TW
on 5/8/2007
It is apparent that is it easier for you to ignore facts. For the last time...I grew up and live on Galveston Island Texas. I have sustained damage...in Alicia, Allison and even some in Rita. I have had flood damage...wind damage...I have been totally wiped-out. I had a plan...made them and used them. The city, county and state had plans. I had insurance, I had to pay my deductible. I had to pay out of pocket for some of my repairs. I was there...trying to help Louisiana...I was shot at (I consider that a flaw), along with several other people...wanting to help. I don't have to pretend or lie to you. At least the people of Lake Charles and Moss Bluff were great. I made sure to mention Fox with CNN...as to make sure that I wasn't blaming libs. I saw what I saw...if you can't accept the truth, so be it. I heard the sheer stupidity from your mayor, governor and senator (moon's girl). For the last time...no one was or is blaming the victim. What I have written and will never forget, is the fact that your state and local leaders have failed you and are still failing you. Blame me, blame Bush...if blaming the nearest white person or republican or conservative...makes you think that it is going to make things better...than feel free. Rant away...you seem to need that type of therapy. With all of the harsh words we have exchanged...I have stepped back...reflected...and I have concluded that you are to be pitied.
Written by LT
on 5/8/2007
LT, what on earth are you talking about? You write: "Yes I did see characters flaws in Louisiana and especially in New Orleans (and a high % were black people, thanks to CNN and Fox." Huh? I thought you said you were in New Orleans right after the storm, and now you're saying you were watching it on television???? What gives????? And what do you mean, a large percentage of them were black, "thanks to CNN and Fox"? What does this mean? That CNN and Fox only shot video of black people? That we have a lot of black people in New Orleans because of CNN and Fox? Surely you're not suggesting it's a liberal bias thing, since you mention Fox? What I really want to know is this - are you making stuff up? Were you really in New Orleans after the storm? If so, in what capacity? Were you really getting shot at? Or was that just something you read or heard somewhere, and then pretended here like it was happening to you???? I'm starting to think you're not being honest with everyone here. Finally - in any of those Texas disasters you mentioned, were over 100,000 homes destroyed? Did the area remain flooded with saltwater for three weeks? No? Then stop blaming the victim!
Written by TW
on 5/8/2007
The difference...was...is and remains. That your "leadership" failed and did so miserably. We have had hurricanes and floods in Houston, Galveston (remember Allison?) and San Antonio...tornadoes in Dallas. We dealt with it. We had a plan...we implemented it. Yes I did see characters flaws in Louisiana and especially in New Orleans (and a high % were black people, thanks to CNN and Fox). These people were left by the same people who were supposed to be cared for. I have been worse names by better persons that you TW. So have at it...you need that release. But when you call people racists, chimps and such....you are part of the problem. I don't know what you expect...or care what you think of me. Just look at the sheer waste and fraud that is happening to you and yours...It saddens me that you are blind to it.
Written by LT
on 5/8/2007
can't we just all get along?
Written by Sid
on 5/8/2007
Oh, and I suppose our incompetent, corrupt levee board had nothing to do with us not having CAT 3 levee protect, huh?
Again, if Katrina moves 50 miles to the west, it would NOT MATTER ONE BIT how damned big the levee would have been. N.O. would be gone. No levee would have protected you from what hit Waveland, MS. End of story.
Stop complaining and blaming the government. Is the levee board not government? Weren't they buying and managing airports and fountains? What in the HELL does that have to do with the federal goevernment and levees?
I agree that the government should help us, but not support us indefinitely. It is not their fault a hurricane occured. That is the most ridiculous part of your argument. Let's see the spec on that: Build levee that God's natural disaster cannot destroy. And don't talk about the Dutch. That was a stupid mission (they only face a 17' storm surge) that any real engineer would have told was a complete waste of time. More political nothingness.
Bottom line - it is what it is. Stop complaining, move out and complete the mission - living life. You can sit and around and bitch, moan and complain or you can move forward and get something done. After 20 months of bitching and crying, do you think someone in Washington is suddenly go to change their mind?
STOP BLAMING SOMEONE/EVERYONE/EVERYTHING FOR YOUR LACK OF WILLINGNESS to move forward and live your life.
Written by
on 5/7/2007
Gee whiz Steve, gotta put a spin on any story so we can justify our blame game. And now we are going to proclaim jihad on Mother Nature. If this tornado was caused by global warming then we have apparently been suffering from global warming for a long, long time. Tornados didn't just start happening. Our prayers and support should be with the folks from Greensburg, not drivel such as this article.
Written by Sid
on 5/7/2007
Hopefully emotion will be replaced with logic and common sense. Funding for levees and pumps over the decades have been wasted on other projects. When the state's officials cannot allocate, spend and verify where the funding is going...perhaps it is time for Louisiana will be placed into a federal receivership-situation. It is painfully true that the State is incapable of this very important task. The lack of "protecting" this state has been a failure of every administrative since the 1960's. At some point...the state of Louisiana and the voters must hold the state wide politicians accountable. No one expects you to get over it...instead people are expected to get on with your life. It will take many years...many set backs and much hardship...Such is life.
Written by LT
on 5/7/2007
Thank you Walker0416. If there is one lesson to take away from Katrina it is that people need to be more self reliant. A large part of the problem is a government dependent society that cannot/will not think or act on its own. Those who are content to wait on government to solve their problems always seem to have more of them than those who just take whatever comes their way as a part of life and does the best they can. Louisiana/New Orleans will recover as it always has. So will the people of Greensburg, KS. It happens every day somewhere in the world. Bad things happen. It just seems to a lot of people that many in Louisiana/New Orleans cannot/will not go forward. They want everyone and everything to revolve around what is or is not happening there. It is time to leave the Pity Party and get back to work. A lot of help has come and more will come but don't waste valuable time waiting.
Written by Sharon
on 5/7/2007
Walker0416, I think you'll agree that every area has its risks - the Pacific Coast has earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, and the occasional hurricane. The Atlantic coast has hurricanes, and, potentially (albeit rarely), the risk of tsunamis. As you note, OK and KS have the highest rate of tornadic activity in the world. And we tend to forget that southern Missouri had what may have been the worst earthquake in US history in the early 19th century. Life is inherently risky, it's true. But there are two points I'd like to make about this re. Katrina, and I know I've made them before, and y'all are sick of seeing them, but here they are anyway: 1) It was not Katrina per se that flooded New Orleans. Rather, the flooding was due to the faulty engineering of flood walls that collapsed under Category 2 winds (the Army Corps of Engineers had assured us that they would withstand Category 3 winds). The second point is that it's really simple for people who haven't had to live through this kind of disaster to say "people should be more self-reliant." You know, that's like saying that "people should be nicer to each other." Yes, that's true, but.... The point I'm trying to make here is that we have some people who have been denied opportunities all of their lives, who have been given a substandard education, who face all kinds of hurdles just to get by, trying to eke out a living by working multiple low-wage jobs, etc., and for you to sit from wherever you're sitting and tell them they need to be more self-reliant is kind of cruel (I'm reminded of Sean Hannity and Arnold Schwarzenegger talking on Hannity's show about how they live within their budgets; the state should do the same). Yes, I know that there are lazy people who expect to get by just doing nothing in life, but there are people like that in all socioeconomic strata *cough* *George W Bush* *cough*. To refer to Katrina victims in such a blanket way is wrong, and I can't help but suspect, racially motivated. Finally (so it's really three points; as Arnold said to Sully - "I lied"), unlike you all, I personally feel that the Federal government should be there to help people in times of crises, but I think that they have an even bigger obligation now, since it was their fault the floodwalls failed. And the Federal government has failed us down here, big time.
Written by TW
on 5/7/2007
What a load of idiot wind on the comments board today! First of all, and let me be perfectly clear, the scientific consensus is that there will be more intense storms like Katrina that will increasingly menace communities along the Gulf Coast. Sure, we can pray to the ‘wind shear fairy’, but where were the wind shears when Katrina and Rita were whooping it up? Not there, that’s where! Secondly, the US is a feeble giant indeed if it can occupy (pathetically unsuccessfully at that) a foreign country, but can’t build Category 5 levees that would protect one of America’s truly unique historical treasures, New Orleans. Having said that, if only the US government Category 3 levees had performed to specifications, we wouldn’t be having this daft conversation. Unlike tornado alley, the catastrophic flooding in New Orleans was and is entirely preventable – we have the technology and we have the wealth. No excuses. It could be done with two months worth of funding for the unjustified and unwinnable war in Iraq. Ya don’t wanna cut and run there, now do ya? Yet you’re more than prepared to run a mile before ensuring the preservation of a great American historical treasure. That’s what the federal infrastructure was meant to do (the name ‘Amsterdam’ comes to mind). And yet you petulantly blame the local inhabitants. No wonder we’re the laughing stock of the international community. We’re too dumb and individualist to take care of our own, and there’s a reliable contingent of ruthlessly short-sighted and shrill ideologues making every effort that we don’t. ONLY IN AMERICA! Put your money where your mouth is when you talk about “protecting the American way of life”. Because when you look at how New Orleans has been treated after the most devastating disaster in US history – a disaster more man-made than natural – all we can say is shame, shame, shame.
Written by Voice of Reason
on 5/7/2007
There is no doubt that the feds should help people...but it is necessary for the state and local to have a plan in place to determine where that help goes. Every state/city has one. To quote Nagin; "we dodged a major bullet". Finally...funding since the 1960's have been earmarked for levee improvement...where did that funding go? Yes TW and Voice of Reason...this is racially motivated...okay. Put down the 40 oz and get to work.
Written by LT
on 5/7/2007
LT, I don't understand how you think you can get away with such an overtly racist statement (that bit about the 40 oz) and somehow think that this is germane to the issue at hand, or (worse yet) appropriate. It is highly inappropriate and racist, and only serves to prove the point I made in my previous post.
Written by TW
on 5/7/2007
TW...why should I care what you can possibly think? Anytime anyone disagrees with you...they are a racist. Look, New Orleans got a raw deal by all levels of government...you had a chance to deal with the local part and Nagin played the race card...'they" ain't lettin' us come back'. The fact that billions of dollars went into your state...$2000 debit cards used for tatoos, topless bars...people shotting at relief workers (I and relief workers dodged them). After that happen...buddy, will it a cold day in Hell when I ever care about your "recovery" I will always the pleasant way we were received in the Big Easy...f**k you whitey and then the shoots. Frankly...it will take years...as you and your folks have always depended on government welfare (section 8, food stamps, WIC and such) to survive. I really will be surprised if the Big Easy is even the same...given the total lack of self sufficiency that exists in that state.
Written by LT
on 5/7/2007
Steve,
What kind of babble is this? As for Global Warming, the hurricane experts are declaring that it creates wind shear that tears up hurricanes, so we will see fewer of them.
For those us us who live in or near New Orleans, here are some unfortunate facts. We live in a bowl, susceptible to flooding, some areas worse than others- DEAL WITH IT or move out!!! We live in an area susceptible to hurricanes-DEAL WITH IT or move out!!!!! New Orleans has faced many challenges throughout its history, fires, disease, floods, hurricanes, and POLITICIANS. Fortunately, due to the strong will and determination of the good people who inhabit this region, we recovered. We will do so once again!!!!
As for Federal policies, yes, they once again FAILED US!!!!!
Lesson? BE SELF RELIANT, don't wait on government to save you from anything because it can't!!!!!! Steve, both parties are at fault for their effort ( or lack thereof) in dealing with Katrina/Rita. The Republicans failed while in power, and now the Dems seem to be using the same gameplan ( they were the ones to tacked on the additional recovery money as a non-germaine item on a bill they KNEW would be voted by Bush!!).
An Inconvenient Truth - the folks who successfully rebuild from Katrina are the self-reliant who will find a way, physically, emotionally, and financially to do it on their own!!!! Those looking for the government to save them will be doing so for quite some time (message to those people- don't hold your breath!).
Bottom line Steve, life is full of risks. That risk is elevated when we make certain choices, be it a profession, lifestyle or place to live. While my heart goes out to those in "Tornado Alley", as well as the victims of Katrina/Rita, we did make a high risk choice in selecting one these areas in which to live.
Written by Walker0416
on 5/7/2007
LT, try to speak English. What legitimate point were you hoping to make by spewing out the very cryptic reference to “40 oz.”? What the hell does that mean? Please do tell us. You still haven’t responded to any of my very clearly stated points on the Bush administration’s famously inept response to the devastation in New Orleans. And in trying to justify your own hopelessly lame position, you seem to have only fallen back on very shady origins.
Written by Voice of Reason
on 5/7/2007
Hey "Mystery Poster" - as I've said before, the Army Corps of Engineers had a design flaw in their floodwall plans, where piles were not driven deeply enough to hold fast in the organic, peat-like soils we have down here. They have admitted it was their fault. The levee boards were corrupt and mismanaged and RIFE with patronage, but they have been reformed - yet they were not, and still are not, allowed to review the Army Corps' plans. This must change! So, in answer to your question - No, the levee boards do not share responsibility for what happened here. It all rests squarely on the shoulders of the Army Corps of Engineers, a division of the Federal government. Second, had the storm been 50 miles to the west, then I would probably have a very different take on it. But that's not what happened, so this argument rings hollow to me. However, I agree with "Voice of Reason" - in the wealthiest, most powerful, nation in the world, we should do better by New Orleans. Do we not want a major port city near the mouth of the largest river system in North America? Shouldn't we be doing everything we can to bring Category 5 protection to the city? What is wrong with making that a priority? There almost certainly may come a day when even that isn't good enough, but what happens when L.A. is flattened by an earthquake? Or Memphis? - the New Madrid fault is set to devastate that part of the country sometime in the future. And I resent the notion that I am not moving on - we have elevated our house at great expense, and are working on it fast and furiously. The drywall went in this week. As I told LT once before, we had flood and homeowner's insurance, and even if we get Road Home money (yikes) it still looks like my wife and I are putting in about $60k of our own money into the house, and that doesn't count the fact that we lost two vehicles, etc. We lost a lot of things that were sentimental and dear to us - we're just fortunate that we and the kids are all right. So bottom line - we're working hard, and we're coming back, just like so many New Orleanians across the city.
Written by TW
on 5/7/2007
I am in total agreement with TW on the construction issues regarding the levees. All the oversight in the world could not put right the faulty design and building of the levees – courtesy of the negligence and incompetence US Army Corps of Engineers. It never occurred to us that mighty US government engineering would fail us so badly in our own country; not that we had any say in the actual design – that was a role the US government assumed. The Dutch were wide-eyed to learn in 2005 that the US Army Corps of Engineers had anchored the levees several meters above the actual level of the water – in PEAT SOIL – an unnervingly porous and unstable arangement. No one is asking that the federal government support us indefinitely. Please. We haven’t even been able to get on our feet since Katrina, mainly due to the mind-boggling incompetence and indifference of the Bush administration who expects us to pay for our city’s reconstruction and then get reimbursed for the expenses! Our city and economy were wiped out the day the levees failed. No city could go from complete devastation to self-sufficiency without an appropriate level of assistance – like Greensburg will require. And of course the Bush administration will not suddenly “change their minds” on New Orleans. Well, duh! They’re too ashamed of their lame performance and would prefer that that most significant reconstruction effort in America (apart from the South after the Civil War) never be mentioned again. Tough biscuits. So much for George Bush’s compassionate conservative tripe. This failure will come back to haunt the Republicans again and again during the presidential campaign, even though that is probably unfair on the individual Republican candidates. Where ever did George Bush get the idea that the rest of the country would agree with him that New Orleans is a city that the US just doesn’t need?
Written by Voice of Reason
on 5/7/2007
Bush's response was as good as it could given the fact that ANY federal response is as good as the state/local plans will permit. Your Governor didn't want to commit to requesting for disaster relief. That is a fact and it is in english. Your problem is and will continue to be is...you cannot accept the fact your state was UNprepared...UNable to respond. Blaming Bush? Calling out people as racist? Read carefully...Billions of dollars are being flowed into your state. The fact that your state officials, your local officials...cannot account for the money! That is a fact and it is in english. I have answered your questions...and if you can't understand the 40 oz comment...well...you are truly clueless. Now answer my questions...the waste and fraud of the $2000 debit cards...people (I was one of them being shot at) by those poor folks left behind (by your state/local gov)...the fact that your Big Easy re-election of that moron Nagin...the fact the "road home" is lacking funds. You call Bush a chimp...and you have the nerve to ask me to explain the 40 oz comment? I gave you the benefit of the doubt...that you were too devasted. After reading your responses all comments you have with those who agree with you..then I conclude that you are the racist...are you the reason why your state will remain in its current state. Answer my questions! Show me if you can respond to the total of competency of your state officials.
Written by LT
on 5/7/2007
I think you answered your own question about N.O. being ready for a hurricane. After Friday's storms, it is clear that the pump system is not adequate right now. It needs to be fixed right now.
Written by BR native BB
on 5/7/2007
Listen, LT, there are plenty of people I've disagreed with here that I haven't called racist. I've called Sharon a racist, because she referred to New Orleans as having a "welfare mentality" and I've called you a racist, because you have in the past implied that I was on welfare and food stamps, and now, you suggest that I'm drinking a 40 oz. beer/malt liquor. Do you think I'm an idiot? You don't think that people, white and black alike, know exactly about whom you're talking here? It's racial stereotyping, and you're not fooling me one bit. As I've said before, when someone says "New Orleans" and "welfare mentality" in the same sentence, then guess what - that's codespeak for "black people" - and it's disingenous of you to suggest otherwise. And I don't know what you were doing in New Orleans in the days after Katrina (I was thankfully the "hell outta Dodge"), but I can only imagine that it was a horrible, horrible, situation. But please listen to me - you really should try not to let what you experienced during that time color your perception of our city, or of black people. Those were extraordinary, horrific circumstances, and who knows what would have happened had this occurred in Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, or anywhere else for that matter? You cannot assume that what you saw or experienced was due to some deep character flaw present in all New Orleanians. Don't you see how unfair that is?
Two major events hit home this weekend.
To
Buzz Right Back on this article