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Topic: Hurricane Rita -- Follow-up (Read 3 times) previous topic - next topic
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Hurricane Rita -- Follow-up
Yahoo Message Number: 58334
Thanks to Malcolm, in Austin, for the good thoughts sent to the folks in east TX and LA. We, too, were watching the Rita coverage on the Austin TV channels, and were trying to figure out what was going on. Interestingly, in spite of the main highways in and through Austin being jammed with Rita "escapees", and folks looking for shelter space, only to be told that the shelters were closed, and to move on down the road, the city decided to go ahead with a huge three-night "Austin City Limits" festival for Fri., Sat. and Sun.

While I understand that it was a long-planned annual event, for a good cause (PBS), I have to question the decision, given the circumstances.
 Thanks also to Linda Hylton, who said, "It's not like hurricanes are unknown in that region of the country, and after the experience with Katrina, you'd think the local and state governments would have been better prepared. If the politicians would take their heads out of the sand (or wherever else their heads may be), maybe they could actually do something useful." I can only add, "Hear, hear!"

I should add, Mayor Bill White, of Houston, and the city leaders in the TX coastal cities like Galveston, did do an excellent job of letting people know what to expect. The evacuation of people, and their pets, by bus, who could not otherwise get out of harm's way in Galveston, seemed especially well planned.

The failure seemed to be with the state and federal officials, who did not grasp the huge number of people who would actually follow the order to evacuate, and to set up the necessary logistical support.

Sharon N.

Sitting snug with hubby and dogs in the LD in Fredericksburg, TX