NationStates Jolt Archive

Is anyone paying attention to the clusterf*** in Texas? Did no one think to consult the DOT or the Houston and DFW traffic planners?

The same thing happened where I live in 1999. For whatever reason, warnings were issued and evacuations were ordered for large parts of Florida, coastal Georgia, and coastal South Carolina before the storm (Floyd) hit us directly in southeastern North Carolina. I tried to leave as the Cat 4 storm approached but had no possibility of getting out of the area with the severely jammed interstates. I decided to stay home rather than ride the storm out in my convertible. Luckily, the hurricane downgraded to a strong 2 before it made landfall less than 1 mile from my house.

This situation was not unforeseeable!

Whose head is going to roll over this one?

Ummm, near as I can tell the official line is that it's all Mayor Nagin's fault. EVERYTHING to do with hurricanes this season is.



Indeed, I think he was responsible for the Tsunami last year too....

Ummm, near as I can tell the official line is that it's all Mayor Nagin's fault. EVERYTHING to do with hurricanes this season is.



Indeed, I think he was responsible for the Tsunami last year too....


We'll he has so many split personalities, maybe he can be in several places at once.

I heard on CNN that I-45 between Houston and Dallas is backed up over 200 miles. Multitudes of out-of-gas cars are lining the roads and there are whole families walking up the interstate with suitcases in hand.

New Orleans - Act II

I think if people in Texas are idiots it just shows that they picked a true representative...he he he

Ouch

Well, the traffic jams may have been foreseeable but what can anyone do? They can't build new roads overnight, or bring in helicopters for everybody. Just try to move the cars as fast as possible, is all.

ADD: Although the people in the cars could have turned the engine off and roll the windows down, that'd help them save gas.

yeah some guy on the radio said that it took him 24 hours to drive 75 miles :eek:

No - the point is the governmental powers that be overreacted and gave no guidelines for evacuation. It is like the whole of England being told to evacuate within 2 days for a storm that might hit Wales.

It doesn't make ANY sense. If your house cannot withstand winds of 45 - 100 miles per hour, you have problems other than the hurricane. They recommended evacuation for everyone - even in Houston which is a good distance inland. Why not just evac people who are in the zone of danger (i.e. near the eyewall or in low lying areas)?

Oh, I see your point. I think it was somewhat of an overreaction, too. Both on the part of the authorities by saying everyone should evacuate and on the part of the people by trying to get somewhere at least 500 km away, instead of just higher ground.

I know everyone is spooked about Katrina, but authorities should try to keep a calm and rational mind at all times.

I guess there are studies and such for the Texas coast about how the surge would affect coastal areas, but I couldn't say for sure. Most modern houses and buildings should be able to withstand the wind, though.

Oh, I see your point. I think it was somewhat of an overreaction, too. Both on the part of the authorities by saying everyone should evacuate and on the part of the people by trying to get somewhere at least 500 km away, instead of just higher ground.

I know everyone is spooked about Katrina, but authorities should try to keep a calm and rational mind at all times.

I guess there are studies and such for the Texas coast about how the surge would affect coastal areas, but I couldn't say for sure. Most modern houses and buildings should be able to withstand the wind, though.

That's it! Thank you for your eloque.....uh good talking! Most building codes require a residential building to withstand about 120 - 130 mph winds. This was totally ridiculous!