<p>It’s foolish to point fingers in some respects because of the unpredictable nature of these hurricanes as they get closer to land. Last year, we spent far too much money on plane tickets trying to outrun four of them, and three of four times we ran right into the hurricane instead of getting away from it because they didn’t track as predicted. So I can easily imagine that evacuation orders were issued past the timeframe when they might have actually been useful. </p>
<p>I was also in Miami last week during Katrina. Miami roads were completely congested, the airports closed, and most gas stations empty, so getting out - even though I have the material means (cash, car, etc.) to do so - was physically impossible. </p>
<p>The night it made landfall was frightening beyond belief, with a tree going through the roof of the house next door among other things. The morning after, I drove no more than eight blocks before returning to our rental home - far too many trees, glass, powerlines etc. in the roads, no electricity anywhere. For nearly two days after it was simply too dangerous to drive anywhere. Our rental home is still without electric even tonight, but I’m hearing tomorrow we should be back online. </p>
<p>Daughter’s college was closed for three days; later, we drove around to see some of the damage and we were shocked. We saw four hurricanes last year and a few in years prior but never have we seen such incredible damage as with Katrina. And it was only a category 1 in Miami! - I cannot even imagine it as a 4 or 5. For those of you who have not seen hurricane destruction up close and personal, trust me when I tell you that media visuals don’t come close to conveying the reality. </p>
<p>So I can well imagine the scenario as it played out in Louisiana and in Mississippi. I can certainly understand that - given traffic, gas, etc., people who wanted to simply could not get out, even if they had the means. Besides, who can believe the predictions of these hurricanes? It’s almost like reading tea leaves. I can remember no single time when a hurricane was predicted to make landfall in Florida that it arrived at the predicted landfall entry point. I can also imagine how very difficult it has to have been for government - federal or local doesn’t matter - to respond “quickly”. An area following a hit from a major storm would be very difficult to access safely no matter how many assets are applied. With Katrina just at a category 1, most roads were completely impassible, the airports remained closed for some time, and the entire area was simply a mess that was impossible to navigate. </p>
<p>But if there must be blame, it must be more heavily at the local level. First, everyone knows that in a major storm it will be necessary to have several days worth of water and food on hand. Actually, even if one is not expecting any storms it makes sense to have supplies in stock. In Florida the reminders are everywhere several weeks before the start of hurricane season and continue throughout. </p>
<p>Second, I have no idea what happens in other states, but in Florida, Jeb Bush and/or his staff are visible, vocal and involved, they’re on the news warning people to take the hurricanes seriously, giving instructions, direction and leadership, and the messages and information coming out of Tallahassee as well as local governments are constant. It’s impossible to live in this state and be unprepared for a major storm unless one is simply irresponsible. (By the way, behaving responsibly and preparing for a major storm does not require a lot of money - but it does require some common sense, and it requires that one pays at least a minimal level of attention to current events.) </p>
<p>Last, it’s hardly Bush’s fault that NO filled up with water, and it’s certainly not the fault of his administration that the local authorities failed to execute their responsibilities. However, I do think that the head of FEMA (Michael Brown?) should be replaced - I read today that his background is that he was legal counsel/rules enforcer for an arabian horse racing association, period. Apparently he has no experience whatsoever that qualifies him for his position. No emergency planning, training or response credentials, etc. The former head of distaster planning for Miami was quoted as saying that he has done an excellent job with the crisis in NO - “not one single arabian horse has died” she said. So the NO situation aside, this guy doesn’t sound like he’s what we need running FEMA - we need someone who has the credentials and experience that match up to the job.</p>