If you were in Baton Rouge this morning now you were probably didn’t notice the blue sky and high wispy cirrus clouds. Understandably, your mind was probably elsewhere, focusing on the category-3 hurricane pummeling its way through the Gulf of Mexico, aiming straight for Louisiana. No matter where the eye of Gustav makes landfall, the power of this storm will be felt from Cameron to Venice and everywhere in between, and this raises the question: Are we ready?
If you can remember what happened 1100 days ago, you know this is loaded question. However, 1100 days is a long time, certainly long enough for residents to gain the wisdom and foresight to react accordingly when a storm like Gustav appears. Remembering Katrina, we know how the storm exposed decades of neglect, irresponsibility and an udder lack of preparedness on all levels. And when these thoughts are rehashed, we remind ourselves of the painful and heartbreaking things we experienced. Too fresh to neglect, it is clear to me that Louisiana residents are alert and prepared, heeding all warnings, moving to safe locations, taking every necessary precaution, and doing all of this with calm and haste. What I have seen so far is a population with a full understanding of what may occur and the knowledge to react with confidence. As difficult as this situation may be, I take comfort in knowing that the residents of Louisiana are not dragging their feet. I think it is safe to say that Louisiana is was at a better state of preparedness on Saturday than it was on August 28, 2005.
This confidence is not just reserved for the Louisianans who have taken initiative as well as cover, but for the government officials working for us as well. A full week before projected landfall, Governor Jindal was behind a podium rattling off a strategic plan of preparedness, working backwards from a projected landfall date and listing the precautions to be taken by certain dates. Ray Nagin, who undoubtedly learned from certain mistakes, issued the evacuation order for New Orleans at a responsible and punctual time, and issued a harsh warning to looters as well, promising a prompt trip to Angola. Shelters have opened across northern Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi. The periodic updates from Jindal, and the confidence he exudes in his conferences are reassuring. Government has learned its lesson in the short term.
But what about the long term? Don’t be too impressed. The Ap released a distressing and foreboding article last week that was a wake-up call, titled “New Orleans Repeating Deadly Levee Mistakes of the Past.” You can read the entire article here here to see just how many lessons were learned. If Katrina didn’t open the eyes of bureaucrats and contractors, I doubt anything will. We can pat the government on the back for a number of things, but having to digest the fact that New Orleans levees are not built to supreme standards is unbelievable. Some things in Louisiana never change, but hey, at least the Sazurac finally has its place of honor.
As Gustav bears down, state leaders are performing as they should as far as disseminating information and quick action is concerned, but for long term items this article reminds me of one fundamental thing that we should all remember: we cannot always count on the government. We know how it failed us last time, and we know how immense the room for improvement is, so much so that our trust and dependence on the government shouldn’t extend very far. Federal, State and Local governments embarrassed themselves three years ago, and despite our best efforts to encourage them to notice their own failings, we had to fight them from unjustly rewarding themselves with a pay raise. The greatest assistance to New Orleans came from the support of the American people, who donated $4 billion to victims of Katrina in the largest outpouring of support to date. Private donations as well as countless hours of volunteering shined brighter than anything the government could possibly do, and though this time around leaders have gotten behind the ball, my faith in the individual will forever trump my faith in politics
The diamond cannot be polished without friction, nor the man without trials, so please do not let my words discredit the advice and instructions given by state, local and federal leaders. If they say leave, leave, and if they say stay indoors, stay the hell indoors. Much work needs to be done, but as far as immediate instructions are concerned, heed advice with all confidence that 1100 days was enough for these people to get certain things right. As for us as Louisianans, we have each other. We look to fellow residents, knowing that if we are in harms way, we are not in harms way alone. Our faith in one another should be stronger than ever because we are united in the memories of 1100 days ago. We know what has happened and what may come, and we should be ready to give of ourselves matter who is in need of assistance. Stay strong, stay safe, stay alert and take solace in knowing that no matter what happens, you are not alone; you’re in Louisiana.
