Peddle your crap someplace else spam boy.

For days I saw people posting on social media that a Cat 1 wasn't going to do anything and that this was all just a bunch of sensationalism and fearmongering for ratings. Yes, WINDS from a Cat 1 will very rarely do any widespread catastrophic damage. Twenty inches of rain, storm surges of 10+ feet, and 130 tornadoes certainly will.

For all you inland residents from this Gulf coast resident: When you come here as a tourist and we have a tropical system coming ashore. We the residents know you are a tourist as soon as you say we get higher winds where I come from and look up and NW for the danger. Here you look down and out to sea. I will ride out any system we get too because the shelter spaces need to be saved for the people who live in the coastal flood zone not me. Elliot not all the people in the flood zone are Black many coastal residents come in other ethnicities. In fact I would say from the pictures I have seen at least 60% of the people evacuated without even shoes are white. Quit the divisiveness the only thing important is these are AMERICANS in trouble. We as AMERICANS should help our fellow citizens. For the Canadians who always pat themselves on the back for treating their native people better than we did. Those french speaking people in the flood zone are only there because your people exiled them from Canada in the late 1600's or early 1700's.

My hearts go out to all the victims. I hope they will be able to recover quickly.

I understand that FEMA and the RED CROSS and other organizations were already there waiting for the storm to pass to begin to help people in need.

Obama had already declared them natural disaster areas, so now Federal Government assistance can begin. Due to state's sovereignty, the Federal Government can not help unless a the state officially asks.

I, like many others here, are sad to see the flooding and the problems created by this storm. But I keep coming back to one very obvious point - many residents live in areas below sea level. Below sea level means BELOW the level of the sea during normal periods. When you have a storm expected to drop rain measured in FEET rather than inches, and there is a storm surge as well, why are some of these people surprised they are stranded in their second story of the house?

I am not trying to minimize the effect to the people but there comes a time where a person must be responsible for their own actions. In both Katrina and Isaac there is immediate talk of how will government help. Yes, government should play a part in the cleanup and helping a city get funds to help it RECOVER but not to rescue. Certainly we rescue when necessary but why is it expected? If you live BELOW sea level and a storm is approaching that will drop rain measured in FEET you have one option - leave. Then AFTER the storm the government can help get the city recovered THEN you go back home.

I live in Florida and although we are not below sea level we must prepare. We make sure we have water, food for three days, matches to light propane stoves, make sure the generator is working, and so on. If it is a large storm, and expected to be in or near the center, we leave and pray the damage is minimal. Then, after the storm, you go back home. If the area is significantly damaged you wait an extra day or two for roads to be cleared/etc. But your safety is your responsibility.

Hope everyone stays safe down there. Still blows my mind that after Katrina people ignore the warnings to leave.

On another note can we say that this is Obamas fault? Since GW caused Katrina then Barry must have caused Isaac? No?

"The flood waters were shockingly fast rising and caught everybody by surprise"

Yeah, big surprise. How about the impending hurricane that was on the news for over a week?

I can't feel bad for people that don't learn from history. It's like saying "I didn't know earthquakes happened in California, totally caught us by surprise" or "I didn't know there were tornados in "tornado alley" or "I didn't know there were tsunamis in Japan".

When they say "hurricane coming, get out" you get out.

Katrina broke my heart. It was sad to watch 5 days of people suffering and dying. Now, lesson should have been learned.

Funny how the right spends all their time yammering about how Obama blames Bush for everything.

Since they don't seem to have anything else to say, no matter what the topic, than "can we blame Obama" when they come to these boards.

ProBusiness-

Your reasoning is flawed. Why rescue people who were in car accidents? They know the risk with driving. Why rescue mountain climbers when they find themselves in trouble? They know the risks. Why rescue people drowning. They know the risks of swimming.

It's expected to rescue people because we live in a society where we value human life. Or at least we should, obviously not all of us do.

Why didn't the evacuate? I don't know. Did they have somewhere to go? Did they have a means to get there? A lot of assumptions without a lot of information in these articles.

Whats the matter "Real American"? Taste of your own medicine isnt so tasty? Sack up hypocrite.

It probably doesn't mean much to most people, but I'm glad to see someone looking out for the pets.

Why wouldn't they evacuate when asked? I mean, they "ALL" blamed George Bush when thousands died in Katrina but didn't listen to the warnings. WTF man!

• Now you have hundreds of people needing rescue putting the rescuers at risk. WTF!

What would freak me out the most if I were down there is getting electrocuted (even though most of it's out) with all that water. Only one person died (which is unfortunate) but it's not over yet.

The problem with Katrina wan't the hurricane - it was the response.

There was no reason for 1800 people to die.

What would freak me out the most if I were down there is getting electrocuted (even though most of it's out) with all that water.

LMMFAO.....Now THAT is the funniest thing I've heard today. Thanks Creek Dog!

RealAmericansFirst,

Exactly. It was a total lack of leadership during Katrina. Any real American Pres with any kind of human compassion would have rolled up the sleeves and handed out water themselves. The news crews were the first responders within 5 days! It was an abomination of the POTUS. "Good job Brownie" is what W had to say about the head of FEMA. Gutless moron he was. Both of them.

David Puddy

Umm Obama did prepare and already had people in place a week before this hit. Interesting too that no one holds the state of Lousiana (Repubicant) Bob Jindahl accountable.

What's more ludicrous is people blaming obama, when their first concern should be about the people impacted..

Its About Time, you're talking about the NO mayor and Louisianna Gov during Katrina,right?

Yeah here we go. Let's blame Obama for all the idiots who didn't heed the warning and now have to be rescued. Let these idiots find there own way out. The President of our country has more pressing matters than to watch over these morons being rescued with their 15 dogs.

David,

President Obama is probably not there because it's not safe to travel there at the moment. Give it a day, geez.

I'll put up with snowstorms anyday compared to people who prefer to live near the ocean. But then there are people who feel the exact opposite, too. I love the ocean and the seafood but only to visit.

Dissapointed and Un-realAmerican, where was the response? Let's say FEMA was there the next day or within a few hours after it was safe to enter into the area. Would not most of the 1899 still drowned? It only takes a few moments to drown. Why do you all not question why hundreds of school buses were parked in New Orleans by their mayor, who was a democrat and an African-American Ray Nagin, instead of going into danger zone neighborhoods and removing people since it was a mandatory evacuation instead of a voluntary evacutaion. Mandatory means they could've force people to get on the buses and moved to safety compared to voluntary where its up to you to live or not. Democrat govenor of Louisiana Kathleen Blanco could've used the Louisiana national guard to evacuate citizens who did not heed the mandatory evacuation and saved hundreds as could've Ray Nagin. But your pitiful blame Bush for everything excuses come first. Yeah, we on the right want to know why in the world is Barry Obama not there now having Fema scoop up the floating bodies for his photo-op. Oh yeah, people learned their lesson for the most part and got out of the way. We make the questions of wheres Barry because just a reminder to you how stupid it was to blame him for EVERYTHING. And you all call him a moron, morons.

I just love the look of "amazement" by the people living there when the flood waters send them to the top of their roofs. I can just hear them now...."Damn Martha I was sure we wouldn't get flooded for a fifth time.........oh well soon as the water goes down we will build again.......no way it would flood for a sixth time". And so it goes.

Best of luck to those who are being battered hopefully most have evacuated in the low lying areas.

dissapointed and ashamed

RealAmericansFirst,

Exactly. It was a total lack of leadership during Katrina. Any real American Pres with any kind of human compassion would have rolled up the sleeves and handed out water themselves. The news crews were the first responders within 5 days! It was an abomination of the POTUS. "Good job Brownie" is what W had to say about the head of FEMA. Gutless moron he was. Both of them.

While I agree there were plenty of mistakes at the Federal level with Katrina, a large part of the problem was the Louisiana governor took several days before asking for assistance - and the federal government cannot send in troops unless the governor asks (this is a constitutional restriction). The same thing happened in Florida when Andrew hit in 1992.

Also, for Katrina it might be useful to compare what happened in Louisiana with what happened in Mississippi. In Mississippi the governor called for assistance immediately, and they also had a much better coordinated and effective state response ready when the storm hit.

Talk to the hand, Kevmc, and Ron,

Exactly!!!! Funny how liberals and all of their little hollywood idols seem to have missed or forgotten that. Dont expect them to understand that now.

Where is Obama and the left? Why are they not on the ground showing us how much better their leadership is in situations like this? What's the matter, Barry? Not a good enough photo op?

Sure, you're right. No one died from baking in the hot sun for five days while swimming in shtt. You are the moron. Geraldo Rivera, on Dumb Fox News at the time, was holding a dying baby in his arms next to a dead guy in a wheelchair on a bridge on day 5 asking and pleading where the cavalry was. "Where is the help, these people are dying". Look it up.

Don't make excuses for that complete dabocle of a response. If I was Pres, after watching 5 days of the situation getting worse to disasterous, I would have been angry and embarrassed and insisted to go down there now, NOW, and help somebody. All the while Bush had a fancy dinner with Brown, the head of FEMA, talking about it. Ugh, you make me sick. How can you forget that?

For all those righties who believe the earth started 6000 years ago.

Friends, the earth is constantly changing. The continents are moving, the ocean currents are changing. The sun is getting hotter and expanding. All this is happening very slowly to our time frame but normal clockwork to mother nature.

Fact, in recorded history of the last five hundred years, hurricanes of this magnitude struck the North America once every 50-70 years;now its happening every 5-7 years.

Fact, every 26,000 years, something calamity hits earth. Starting 12-21-12 is the instantiation of such an event?

Zathrose... STFU. The Obama admin has declared a state of emergency which will help the local and state govts obtain the help they need. Your blind partisanship and inflammatory accusations are simply ridiculous and do not serve any purpose other than to feed your tiny little ego.

I partially agree with probusiness' comment (#1.7) concerning the fact that people still choose to live in areas that are very susceptible to damage due to storms and other natural disasters need to re-think living there. People who live in flood plains, cliffs (i.e. malibu), wildfire prone areas, etc. should not be given money to rebuild in the same place, PERIOD. If your malibu mansion slips down the cliffs due to an earthquake or rain or burnt to a crisp due to a wildfire there should be no expectation of taxpayer dollars to rebuild in the same place. If an area is increasingly susceptible to these natural disasters then they should move. With sea levels rising NOLA and other below sea level places the threat from hurricanes and tropical storms will be more dire.

Fact, gridlocks generally suck and piss everyone around them off. Is that what you think of yourself gridlock? And, isn't the 12/21/2012 paranoia a bit nonscientific for someone of your obvious intelligence and basis in fact?

Gridlock,

Only if the last calamity hit the earth 26,000 yrs ago. (I guess)

And what's with the earth starting 6,000 yrs ago when the dinosaurs were tens of thousands of yrs old. Not sure of your point dude.

Where's Barry? This is his moment.... he could come flying in & set everything right with a wave of his hand......

Now 50,000 people WILL be displaced....

Just look at all of the suffering by NON Republicans/conservatives/Christians from the effects of the hurricane that you were so fervently wishing to inundate the land in the same....... "light"...

HOW CAN YOU DENY THAT OUT OF 50,000 LOUISIANA RESIDENTS THERE MUST BE AT LEAST A FEW WHO ARE NOT INBRED KNUCKLE-DRAGGING, BIGOTED REDNECK RACISTS WITH THREE TEETH FROM A TRAILER PARK?

Hope the one day delay has been deemed by you, sitting up there high and dry,..... on the moral and intellectual high ground, to be worth what it is costing all of the....."innocent..." : P people affected.

In any case, if you were one of the revelers, just compartmentalize any guilt you may feel and label it collateral damage, then it won't bother you so much.

PARTY OF "TOLERANCE...." aaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahahaha

YOU ARE HEREBY INFORMED: YOU ARE A JOKE

to those who question, WHY DID THEY NOT EVACUATE , how do you evacuate 1 million people, far enough from a 200 mile wide storm, where can they go, New Orleans is now a fortress city, best levee system and storm gates in America, it has only 20 thousand hotel rooms, at a couple of hundred a night, it is very expensive to live for 4 days in a hotel; the people were prepared, that is why there is only one loss of life; this is not their first rodeo.

"INNOCENT........" hahahahahahaa I knew that would bring that constipated smirk to your face.

Enjoy the laughs as you are reminded of the old saying "BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR"

You are now learning why it's an old saying. I guess you simply won't be able to destroy and erase everything that has been passed down through the ages..... Why, you're reminiscent of the taliban cavemen who go around destroying temples that are thousands of years old.

ItsSimple-3093757, I hate to point out the obvious to you, but people who willlfully ignore warnings to evacuate due to an impending hurricane are not victims-they are stupid.

Many of these problems would not have happened if Congress would have spent the money used in the Middle East military activities instead for repair and replacement of the aging infrastructure in these areas. Apparently Corporate America is running Gov't for their benefit at the expense of the taxpayers and racking it up to the National Debt. Our Congress doesn't represent the People anymore, doubtless whoever gets elected for president will make any difference.

My question is when are they going to move the city it is already below sea level and you are not going to stop it no matter how many levees you build . 14 billion for repairs after katrina it would have been cheaper to move then. MY tax money and my insurance co keep paying.It's only going to get worse as the level is rising every year.

What now Republicans Want the FEDERAL government to help? And Quickly? Which is it SMALL FEDS and States take care of their own. Or just when it suits you for talking points. FACT the LEVEE system was dramatically improved since Katrina. By help from the FEDERAL government. They even improved the pumping stations there. Ask the ARMY CORE OF ENGINEERS how much LIFE and PROPERTY was just saved by spending there. It makes me plain sick to here either party complain about spending on improving OUR infrastructure here at home. That creates jobs, makes our country stronger, and more able to compete with shipping, water resources, and so much more.

But then we have people in charge who would rather give Corporations handouts. When they are making record profits? And NOT hiring? Would rather support entering another area of WAR with IRAN or Syria just to save face to other countries? All so they can say they are Christian and spreading Democracy and freedom. I call BS

Hopefully this storm passes with no more loss of life. And hopefully the Dam holds up at that lake so more people don't lose all they have.

God bless and God speed, help if you can.

SAXON- ever heard of personal responsibility? If you're in danger, GET OUT! Friggin americans act like kids in a day-care center, gotta take them by the hand on everything. It's no wonder everyone else in the world think we're a bunch of morons-we are!

Ernie, our lawmakers just passed a bill to give Israel 9 billion dollars in guaranteed loans, which they will never repay. The US Congress has forgiven any and all loans made to Israel. Congressman Eric Cantor and Steny Hoyer, Jewish Congressmen working hard for Israel, wrote the bill, HR4133, which has been approved by every member of the House, but 2. The Senate version, was unanimously approved on a voice vote, so each individual Senator would not have his or her name attached.

No where can the bills be found in the Zionist controlled mainstream media.

Look up HR4133 and see what other goodies they included in the bill. The bill also makes a war with Iran, much more likely. In the next breath these crooks will say they are worried about our crushing debt.

Obama needs to be there with his sleeves rolled up and helping these folks. What a disgrace in leadership. Perhaps Gibbs with his Dunce Hat can go there with Biden 'y'all gonna get put back in chains' Bloated Nitwit; and Blitzer,Maddow, Olberman, Bloated ED, and Tingle in the Legs Matthews can put their feet to the fire about their lack of proper response.

Below sea level, you have to kind of expect it.

On another note, spending more money on this is just good money after bad -- zero economic benefit for the country. Time for Louisiana and the fed to get a clue and get of the other state's dole...

I'm still laughing at the number of asshats in this thread that come running like a kid to the candy store just so they can babble some retarded anti-Obama nonsense. The only thing you succeeded in doing is proving to me that natural selection is a myth. If it wasn't, nature would have already removed you and your idiocy from the gene pool long ago.

But by all means, continue posting your rhetoric. You are simply making it that much more certain that he will be re-elected.

Oh and RalphH, GTFO and go post your sh*t where it belongs. Attempting to link Israel and an article about a dam, makes you look like you're 4.

Fact, in recorded history of the last five hundred years, hurricanes of this magnitude struck the North America once every 50-70 years;now its happening every 5-7 years.

"Hurricanes of this magnitude" what magnitude? You mean Category 1 storms? How about 1985 alone?

The 1985 Atlantic hurricane season had the most U.S. landfalling tropical cyclones since 1916. The season officially began on June 1 and lasted until November 30. It was an average season, with 11 named storms developing. The first storm, Ana, developed on July 15 near Bermuda and caused minor effects in Canada while transitioning into an extratropical cyclone. Four other tropical cyclones – Claudette, Fabian, Henri, and Isabel – did not significantly affect land. Claudette developed offshore of the Southeastern United States and brushed Bermuda and the Azores. Fabian remained in the open Atlantic and Henri and Isabel were dissipating as they approached land. Additionally, three tropical depressions had minimal, if any impact on land.

Although several storms caused minimal impact, there were also several tropical cyclones that caused significant impact. Hurricane Gloria, the strongest storm of the season, resulted in 8 fatalities and extensive damage in North Carolina, Virginia, Mid-Atlantic, and New England. While tracking erratically offshore and eventually inland over the Gulf Coast of the United States, Hurricane Elena caused more than $1.25 billion (1985 USD) in losses, especially in Louisiana and Mississippi. Similarly, Hurricane Juan caused more than $1 billion (1985 USD) in damage due to its erratic tracked offshore and across Louisiana. Three other tropical cyclones – Hurricanes Bob, Danny, and Kate – caused moderate to extensive damage in Cuba and the United States. In addition, the precursor to Tropical Storm Isabel caused a deadly flood in Puerto Rico, with 180 fatalities reported. Overall, the tropical cyclones of this season collectively caused almost $4.6 billion (1985 USD) in damage and 289 deaths.

from wikipedia
and 1980 only 5 years earlier

The 1980 Atlantic hurricane season was tied with 1932, 1969, and 1994 for most named storms in Atlantic Ocean during the month of November – only to be surpassed in 2001 and 2005. The season officially began on June 1, 1980, and lasted until November 30, 1980. These dates conventionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic Ocean.

The season was fairly active, with fifteen tropical cyclones forming. It was the first time since the 1971 season that there were no active tropical cyclones in the Atlantic basin during the month of June. The season was neutral, having neither an El Niño nor a La Niña. Three tropical cyclones during in the Atlantic Ocean in 1980 were notable. Hurricane Allen was then the earliest Category 5 hurricane on record and also devastated portions of the Caribbean Sea, Mexico, and the United States.

also from wikipedia
and how about this one from 1979?

Hurricane Frederic, September 13, 1979: Frederic developed off the African coast on August 27, briefly became a hurricane on September 1, and then weakened to a tropical depression just north of Haiti. Frederic began to strengthen on September 7 and regained tropical storm intensity on September 9 near western Cuba. Frederic then turned to the north northwest with increasing forward speed for the next 60 hours. The eye passed over Dauphin Island,AL on the 13th. The highest winds recorded on Dauphin Island were 120 mph with gusts to 145 mph. Tides of 8 to 12 feet above normal were reported in the hurricane warning area from Pascagoula, MS, to western Santa Rosa Island, AL. Storm tides were 12 feet at Gulf Shores, AL.

Advance preparedness activities by Alabama authorities kept the death toll to five with estimates of 350,000 persons evacuated from the threatened area.

from aoml.noaa.gov
and these from the 1960's and the 1950's?

HURRICANES OF THE '50S: DESPITE A GOOD NUMBER OF HURRICANES AND< TROPICAL STORMS TO HIT THE GULF COAST IN THE '50S, AUDREY, THE FIRST HURRICANE OF 1957 WAS THE MOST MEMORABLE.

Hurricane Audrey, June 27. 1957: Hurricane Audrey made landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border on June 27th with devastating effects. Its central pressure deepened considerably in the last five hours before landfall. There were 390 deaths as the result of a storm surge in excess of 12 feet, which inundated the flat coast of Louisiana as far as 25 miles inland in some places. Damages were estimated at about $700 million (in 1990 dollars).

HURRICANES OF THE '60S: THIS DECADE BROUGHT SOME OF THE MOST DESTRUCTIVE STORMS OF THE CENTURY. SOME OF THE MOST MEMORABLE ARE CARLA, HILDA, BETSY, BEULAH, AND CAMILLE. CAMILLE WAS THE 2ND MOST INTENSE HURRICANE TO STRIKE THE MAINLAND THIS CENTURY, SENOND ONLY T0 THE 1935 LABOR DAY HURRICANE IN THE FLORIDA KEYS.

Hurricane Carla, September 10. 1961: Hurricane Carla was the largest and most intense Gulf Coast hurricane in decades. On September 8, Carla's center took aim at the Texas coast. By the 9th, Carla's circulation enveloped the entire Gulf of Mexico with fringe effects along all Gulf Coast states. On the 9th, the largest mass evacuation to that date occurred, as an estimated one-half million residents of low coastal areas and islands off Texas and Louisiana were evacuated to higher ground. As the center approached Texas on the 10th, winds near the center were estimated at 150 mph. Reconnaissance aircraft indicated a central pressure of 931 mb just prior to its striking the coast. Only 46 lost their lives because of early warnings. Severe damage along a wide expanse of the Texas coast was caused by unusually prolonged winds,high tides and flooding from torrential rains. Damage was about $2 billion in 1990 dollars.

Hurricane Hilda, October 3. 1964: Hurricane Hilda developed in the western Caribbean Sea and reached storm intensity as it crossed the western tip of Cuba. Hilda reached maximum intensity about 350 miles south of New Orleans on October 1. On the morning of October 3rd, several tornadoes occurred in southeastern Louisiana in pre-hurricane squall lines. One tornado at Larose, LA, killed 22 and injured 200 people. Three other tornadoes caused much damage in the New Orleans metropolitan area but no deaths. Hurricane Hilda's highest wind reported was an estimated 135 mph at Franklin, LA.The lowest pressure was 28.05 inches (950 mb). Almost a complete evacuation of the entire Louisiana coast accounts for the low death toll of 38 including the tornado fatalities.

Hurricane Betsy, September 8-9, 1965: Betsy developed from a tropical depression on August 26 east of the Windward Islands and intensified as it moved west. On September 2nd, the central pressure fell to 27.82 inches (942 mb)--the lowest recorded during the life of the storm. Warnings to the Bahamas were posted on September 5 and southern Florida was warned on the 10th. Betsy moved south through the Bahamas, then west over the Florida Keys. Damage from winds, high tides and wave action was confined to an area from Ft. Lauderdale, FL southward. Flooding over the upper Keys was extensive.

Betsy turned to the northwest upon entering the Gulf of Mexico and its forward speed increased to 22 mph. The eye arrived at Grand Isle, LA, the evening of September 9th. The eye was 40 miles in diameter on the Louisiana coast.

Great devastation was caused by high water on the central Gulf Coast from the point where the center made landfall to Mobile, Alabama. Evacuation advice prompted 300,000 people in Louisiana to seek safe shelter. However, 58 people lost their lives because of winds and floods in that state. There were four deaths in Florida; other lives were lost in the adjacent waters of the Gulf and the Atlantic. The total of 75 deaths in Betsy was the greatest loss of life along the Gulf coast since Audrey in 1957. Highest sustained winds of 136 mph were rec.orded at Port Sulphur, LA, with gusts to 160 mph reported along the Gulf Coast. Betsy's damages in 1990 dollars, amount to $6.5 billion, the third costliest U.S. hurricane of the 20th Century. Only the Atlantic coast's Hugo (1989) and Andrew (1992), with more than $7 billion, and $25 billion respectively, exceed Betsy's devastation.

Beulah developed off the African coast and became a hurricane in the eastern Caribbean Sea on the 8th. From September 10th to 13th it weakened greatly and was downgraded to a tropical storm. However, on the 14th, it regained hurricane status again, turned toward the northwest and headed for the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. It made landfall at Cozumel on the 16th, and entered the southwestern Gulf of Mexico on the 17th. On the l9th, it intensified, and reconnaissance aircraft recorded a central pressure of 920 mb or 27.17 inches. It continued moving northwest and made landfall between Brownsville, TX and the mouth of the Rio Grande about daybreak on September 20. A ship at anchor in Port Brownsville reported winds of 136 mph.

Beulah's strength was seen in the impact the storm's surge had along Padre Island, TX. A total of 31 cuts were observed through the island in the portion extending south from a point 30 miles south of Corpus Christi, TX. A cut is a new channel through a barrier island. The storm surge was found to have reached a height of at least 18 feet. Torrential rains fell in southern Texas, with amounts ranging from 10 to 20 inches. Beulah also spawned an unsurpassed number of tornadoes, but most were small and occurred in rural areas.

The death toll from Beulah reached 15 in Texas--5 from tornadoes and 10 from flooding. Damage is estimated at about $900 million in 1990 dollars.

Hurricane Camille, Auqust 17-19, 1969: Camille was born off the African coast on August 5th but didn't become a hurricane until the 15th.

Once into the Gulf of Mexico, the small, powerful hurricane intensified rapidly. By late afternoon on the 16th an Air Force reconnaissance plane measured a 905 mb pressure (26.72 inches) and winds of 160 mph, indicating a Category 5 hurricane, the most powerful on the Saffir/Simpson Scale.

Early on the 17th when Camille was centered 250 miles south of Mobile, AL, the Air Force team found a central pressure of 901 mb (26.61 inches) and maximum winds of more than 200mph near the center. That pressure reading was second only to the Labor Day hurricane of 1935 in which a 26.35 inch (892 mb) pressure was recorded in the Florida Keys. Camille and the 1935 Keys storm are the only category 5 hurricanes to hit the U.S. this century. The lowest pressure ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere occurred during Hurricane Gilbert in 1988--888 mb (26.23 lnches). The final death count for the U.S. is listed at 256. This includes the Gulf Coast and the Virginias--143 on the Gulf coast and another 113 from the Virginia floods. The damage in 1990 dollars is estimated at $5.2 billion. Camille was the 5th most costly storm in U.S. history, following Andrew, Hugo, Betsy, and Agnes.

also from aoml.noaa.gov
obviously not updated to include the costs of Katrina

It looks to me like devastating hurricanes have been occuring with regularity for quite some time along the Guif Coast. Do we really have records for every hurricane that happened five hundred years ago? You know we didn't have satellites back then, and people didn't live all along the coast either.

The reason this is such a catastrophy-and it IS a catastrophy; I've used this to argue that people should ALWAYS take even "minimal" storms seriously-is that more people live along the coast than 50 years ago and because the storm is so large in diameter, not because of the "strength" of the storm like the doomsayers have been predicting for so long. In case you missed it, they predicted stronger storms like more Category 3 and higher storms-and THOSE have NOT happened, not yet anyway. I know because I live in hurricane country, and I have obviously been watching it closely. While 2004 and 2005 were horrible years, the rest of the time has not been as bad as those two years. Climate scientists themselves always say not to look just at one or two years and draw conclusions from them. Apparently the data about hurricanes so far have not been conclusive, though the scientists still expect the number of storms to ramp up in the future.

My heart goes out to all affected by this storm, and I pray they are rescued and safe.

One other addendum to the above comment: Hurricane Andrew was upgraded to Category 5, apparently after the above noaa article was written. When Andrew hit, the wind gauges at the National Hurricane Center in Miami were apparently destroyed. Andrew was upgraded based on the degree of damage caused by the winds. I lived in FL at the time and I remember well my friends driving long distance to help with the relief effort (I had a young child and did not want to take her into a dangerous area like a disaster zone or I would have been with them in a heartbeat) and the intense 24 hour news coverage with interviews of people relating how they ran from house to house as each one fell apart around them-during which one of the news anchors literally broke down into tears on the air...

Even months later, when I had to drive a few hours down south of Miami for a class, I saw that some of the trees down there still had no leaves on them. It was eerie. We've also had direct hits from storms, so I know about hurricanes.

The Gulf Shore states get hit with hurricanes and tropical storms on a pretty regular basis. Here's a thought, why don't they invest in some storm shelters? I don't mean a converted gym or stadium, I mean a building designed to be a storm shelter for a large number of people for up to a week. There could be several of them located throughout each at-risk area. It could be built with kennels. One of the reasons stated for people not evacuating is because they don't want to leave their pets. Problem solved. Another reason listed for nonevacuation is the lack of a car. They could have an evacuation plan in place utilizing buses to move people to the shelters. Perhaps they could come up with some other use for the buildings when not being used as shelters. According to the article, it's not NO that is having problems, it's other areas of LA & MI. It's impracticle to relocate everyone in these areas. I think it's more practicle to have a plan in place for when these storms do happen. I don't live in that area so maybe my idea is filled with holes, but there has to be something that can be done. Use some ingenuity, figure out how to minimize the risk, and dedicate the resources. If you keep doing what you've always done you can't expect a different result.

Here's a few of the "wishes" from the other day, when it seemed the hurricane might come ashore and spoil the "Repugnican" party:

It's simply fascinating to watch this display of abhorrent hate, wishing so much harm on your "them".

Once again, it serves as a modern day example of how Joseph Goebbels method of utilizing mass media to demonize the "subhuman" Jews and brainwash the populace worked in practice ...

In this case the approaching hurricane is symbolic of Treblinka and Auschwitz.

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New Day - You beat me! Great to cya btw. :)

I want the GOP to be blown out of existence. What to do??? I so wish they could just be blown out of the face of the Earth painlessly and humanely - and never come back!

AnotherNewVoter Comment collapsed by the community

I so feel like saying: Hurricane Isaac, how can I help? I am in Seattle though, but maybe I can send some money to the God SuperPAC or something, I do want to help to guide your hand!

Lady Cat Comment collapsed by the community

And here I was hoping they'ed be blown out to sea, never to be heard of again.

Pigotry

God sends a storm down to give a warning to those without common sense.

Mickey, NY

Even God hates Republicans.

Pigotry

Should we consult an astrologist?

The hirricane is a sign!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

a sign for what, the good, the bad, the ugly? (No Pig, a sign to expose your shallow hypocrisy)

Pigotry

The hurricane will wash them all out to sea, more toxic waste in the ocean.

ha ha ha

ha ha ha ha ha ha

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

SIESTASIS

And we thought God did not have a sense of humour.

bandit-3097615

Cancel them all and do the world a favor.

gcooper8

The upcoming weather event in Florida will not be a hurricane!!

It's merely God flushing the waste out of Tampa Bay.

Patriotic American U.S.A.

Bachmann is blowing the TeaWackos away from Florida, the one day perfect storm !!!!!!

normalice

man. they could have done the world a favor and not told the republicans there was a hurricane coming.

AnotherNewVoter

Norm, you are so righteous, man! Thanks for the laugh, I needed one today badly!

Sailcat-2064101

Maybe with a little luck and with Nature's help...

Pigotry

Karma actually works??

Bruce-1628250

• Hurricane Isaac's KARMA is gonna run over the GOP DOGMA!

JPArch

Mother Nature/ God/ Jesus/ The Flying Spaghetti Monster has a wonderful sense of humor.

justina777

THIS MAKES ME TOO HAPPY!!!!

William-360414

I will always love people named Isaac forever. I love it when karma comes around and bites Republicans in the butt.

Patriotic American U.S.A.

This storm is a act of God destroying the TeaPubs Evil, America jumps for joy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This massage was approved by God !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (that message was approved by a torch-bearing mob)

Mr independent -905698

See the reBLOODlican's knew they p"oed God off & they knew "she" was coming to straighten them out & take away all the liar's & tax cheater's.....lol

bjbutterfli

agree and boy is SHE mad.

Bruce-1628250

• Lo and behold, and the Lord God smote the heathen GOPublicans with his mighty wind!

And it was GOOD!

Jean321

Bruce-1628250 16.1

Giggle, giggle, giggle!

FUNNY!

You sure put some good ones on here, Bruce. Thanks!!

rcsdinthehills

If this doesnt wreak of biblical proportions, I dont know what does. LOL

sabibb5524

Halalua!!! ha! Ha! I am so glad: I hope they cannot even have a convention now. hahahaaha

sabibb5524

Yea Yea Yea I am jumping for joy!! I want to see the Republicans get destroyed

JSworld13

Was this a "legitimate hurricane" or just a regular hurricane? Republicans should see this as an act of God frowning upon them like Sodom and Gomorrah. I just see it as hysterical karma.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

IT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO PICK A WINNER IN THIS HATE FEST.

I'M LEANING TOWARDS BRUCE AT THE MOMENT. KINDLY LEAVE YOUR VOTES BELOW.

Real American: FEMA wanted to send in people and resources right away, but the Govenor of LA and the Mayor of NO, both Democrats said NO. They didn't want to have a Republican able to take any credit. The 1,800 people that died are on the heads of those two who were in charge of their state and city. Why do you think there is now a Republican Gov. and a well known and respected Democratic Mayor Landrieu who is from a family of people that know how to run a Gov't?

New Orleans is just like a bone; if broken, it heals it's self-stronger than before.

Sorry, guys, but Oblameo was off campaigning somewhere (Ohio?) instead of taking the normal opposing-party-convention-time break. Not taking the traditional has made him unavailable to actually do anything, like getting a photo op signing the declaration of emergency or gearing up to fly Air Force One into the zone after Isaac moves up into our area for more photo ops. Nope, too busy campaigning, has to let his "administration" set up the state of emergency mechanics.

Now, back to the debate about future levy repairs, mandatory evacuations, and closing the Mississippi delta down for good and moving Nawlins about 40 miles upriver.

its very simple leave when theres an evacuation dont sit there and wait to be rescued in hopes of free handouts and a fun ride. Also with Katrina the federal government FEMA could not respond (provide financial assistance and logistical support) to the disaster legally because somebody sat on the decision for 3 days. FEMA is not a first response agency they do not do first response that is up to the local government such as willy nagen's regime. The Governor can order guard troops for first response etc but once again thats a state thing. All in all 1800 people died because they were complete morons and didnt evacuate as ordered. They chose their fate and yes some people could have been saved but it had nothing to do with Bush or FEMA. The fault lies squarely on the Governor's office and Ray nagen's office.

You got to call the cops right away if someone is shooting at you not wait 3 days later because you dont want cops on your turf.

@David and the loonies

Obama already declared the state of emergency weeks before this hit. There are federal assistance waiting before all this happens and now you blame Obama for not doing anything?

How about blaming the Republican governor who didn't take it seriously and have slow response for federal assistance to move in? You know like Akin, many Republican doesn't believe in science and keep telling people that this hurricane is just "fear-mongering".

You have noone to blame but the people in your party who didn't take it seriously and put the people at risk. Now you blame Obama for your Republican governor's failure...

Edit: This is the same thing with wild fires, cut fire fighters and let's borrow neighbor states when bad things happen. They failed to realize that those neighbors states are doing exact same thing.

If this area is as badly flooded as the reports indicate, just as it was 7 years ago, just how many times are we going to repair and rebuild it? These people are getting a new house every 7 years now. Enough is enough, it is time to move. After the huge Mississippi and Missouri flood in the 1990's, entire towns in Missouri were razed and the towns themselves relocated to higher ground. And that was after just one major flood. Now we just keep dumping millions into the swamps that are located on the coast just inches above sea level. Not to even mention the many many millions spent to rehabilitate the murder capital of the country, New Orleans. Its time just to call it a day and let the entire area go back to what it really is, a swamp.

I am going to have to agree that living BELOW sea level is not the best idea. When you live below seal level and have to rely on pumps 356 days a year, maybe we as humans should find another place to live. That or the bottom floor of your house should be empty with the living area ABOVE sea level, and you should have some kind of boat, canoe, inflatable raft, etc. so that you are not stranded or need to be rescued. It would only make sense since those are the conditions/environment that you live in.

How much money goes into the pumps, levees, floodgates, etc. that could be used for something better. While we are at it how about people that live in dry areas, deserts, on top of or near fault lines, volcanoes, etc.? How much water do they waste in those deserts? People would not be forced to live in these areas if we were not so overpopulated which is another topic. We do not allow natural selection to run its course anymore and there are some in this country that want to use money as the new measuring stick for it, which is a bad idea.

I bet it would be almost cheaper to just fill in all the areas BELOW sea level with earth. Take off the roofs of houses and just add another floor on top. Now you have a kick butt basement that will flood, but you will be high and dry. Twenty inches of rain is nothing if you are ABOVE sea level and not in a valley even in a place like Florida that does not absorb water well (we have lots of very fine grain sand that will hold water on top of it and does not let it seep down to our aquifer. There are only certain places like wooded areas that have the right soil to actually absorb water. We do have a ton a lakes which is the other place water goes here.). Florida has had many storms that sat for just as long and dumped just as much rain. There were 3 in row the one year in my area with one sitting over us for 3 or 5 days dumping rain.

Thankfully there were not many deaths with this one versus Katrina.

I guess the President couldn't make time in his busy schedule (below) to make his way down to the Gulf Coast to provide moral support for those affected by Hurricane Isaac.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/schedule/president/2012-W35

@ctdad

Haven't seen much of Mutt Romney there either, have you? Guess he's to busy back thumping the rich guys he grew up with and that are trying to buy the White House for their masters on Wall Street.

"We're hearing from stores here that they're planning to open later today," reported NBC News' Danielle Lee. "This area relies on tourism, and they don't want to miss out on that Labor Day weekend travel."

Related: Isaac stirs up horrible memories for New Orleans residents

"The mayor has been calling other stores who are able to sell emergency supplies, generators, things that may help people without power, asking them to please get open as quickly as possible," Lee added.

Sounds like the Mayor in the movie "JAWS", those beaches will be open!

Could it be that this Storm is Bachmann in disguise blowing her party for family values out of the state of Florida, is that nutty TeaTard Bachmann that crazy !!!!!!!!

Bachmann was very upset when RobMoney didn't pick her as VP, she now needs Annies therapy horse to beat the seniors !!!!!!!!!

This Storm is now Flip Flopping on New Orleans from the good old boys in Florida !!!!!!!!!

If this Storm blow into the Hampton's I bet you $10,000.00 dollars they would stop the GOP Convention to help the 1%, but the party goes on with the poor soaked in blood !!!!!

Creek Dog so often I disagree with your comments but this time you hit the nail on the head- personally I feel that what is destroyed again should be left as swamp land.

@ Patriotic

What that horse of Annie's the one she abused so badly she was almost arrested for it? She made a huge donation to a local shelter (of course the amount was NOT released) to get out of that one. That little ploy has worked for them in the past, when Mutt was stopped and almost arrested by state police for abusing his dog.

Yawn - more about getting eyes on the sensational news than anything else... How about bankrupt farmers or the additional $1T in debt while Washington does nothing (suggest each and every one of you write a check for $3700 for every member of your family to Obama for 2012) or the business shutting down in N Dakota? How about the masses of unemployed still waiting for a job?

Oh yeah we need to sweep that under the rug...let's sensationalize the rain...let's highlight folks who didn't leave when told to when they are stuck in their attic...

This is called deflection politics at its best enabled by the media to get a piece of Obama's $... America is doomed if you don't see this and it's YOUR fault... Wake up America!

Obama and his band of nitwits have failed again. Perhaps we can watch Dunce Gibbs stumble through another press conference. Comforting to know that Maddow, Tingle Matthews, Bloated ED, and Nitwit Blitzer will hightlight this failure along with all others in their very next broadcasts.

If they built that tamale stand any closer to that tree, it would have been a tree house. Geesh.

Appropriate name David. As puddy is easily molded and we can all guess whose hands have be mushing along making you. Was it Vicodin popping Limbaugh or how about dry drunk Beck? How about Michael the Weiner Savager or was Ann the voter fraud? I know...I'm betting your a Bill O'Falafel type.

Of course it's hilarious listening to the historical revisionists try to shift blame to Obama for not being in the center of a disaster area. Unlike Bush who was there lickidy split...oh wait what was that about birthday cake and guitar playing....

I'm betting these people also think that Reagan ended the Cold War single handed by saying "tear down this wall."

If this area is as badly flooded as the reports indicate, just as it was 7 years ago, just how many times are we going to repair and rebuild it? These people are getting a new house every 7 years now. Enough is enough, it is time to move.

Uh, Marty, maybe you should read a little more closely.

In Slidell, La., areas that had never flooded, including during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, saw up to five feet of water after drain pumps were overwhelmed.

from the article, emphasis mine

These aren't the same people who got flooded 7 years ago. We aren't building the same people "new houses" every 7 years. Get a grip. Do any natural disasters happen in the area where you live (or are they predicted to happen)? Any tornadoes, fires, earthquakes, tsunamis, snowstorms, ice storms or floods (or even a dam that might break)? If not, maybe we should all come live in your backyard. Otherwise, should we help you if your house gets destroyed or should we just blame you for living in an area where you knew there was a risk of whatever natural disaster it happens to be? After all, the vast majority of the US is at risk for some type of natural disaster whether it be hurricanes (the entire East Coast and Gulf Coast), tornadoes (there are FOUR separate tornado alleys that are now recognized in this country), wildfires (how many states do you think are affected by these EVERY SINGLE YEAR?), earthquakes (don't forget the New Madrid Fault in the Midwest which is predicted to go anytime now or the fault on the East Coast-and the Northwest is predicted to go anytime as well, sending a big tsunami into Seattle), and Alaska has active volcanoes along with Hawaii-not to mention the dormant ones in the Cascades that aren't completely dead plus Mt. St. Helens (One friend in Portland, OR, knew someone recently who had a camera with a live feed on Mt. Hood for that reason. He also knows EXACTLY what to do as far as which roads would be passable in the event of an eruption or a tsunami on the OR coast.) Get the picture?

I'm not trying to be a doomsday prophet or anything-I certainly don't propose people live in fear of any of those things, and I don't live in fear of hurricanes. Just prepare as best you can for the ones that might affect you. I'm only mentioning all this to point out that basically every area of the country has some risk and to ask if you are saying that no one should live here in the US at all? Or if we just shouldn't help anyone who is in trouble because they "should have known they were at risk." Sorry, living life is a risk. We help because they are human beings like we are. I would want someone to help me.

I think if a major city is hit by a f5 tornado, or flood, or maybe an 8 or 9 point earth quake every 7 years doing billiions of dollars in damage each time and killing thousands of people each time, yes, it might be time to relocate, or at least not rebuild the disaster prone areas. Maybe a little common sense instead of self-rightous horn blowing works too.

@News98

I almost couldn't type this I was laughing so hard at the stupidity of your post. A small part of me almost hopes Obama doesn't get re-elected, simply because I don't want to listen to another 4 years of you whining and crying like the little child you are. I may be wrong, you may not be a child, but with that comment you posted, you sure as hell acted like one. How about you grow up a bit, THEN come back and post.

Then again, perhaps you feel safe and secure in your little bunker, your parents unable to hear you when you go all 'Angry German Kid' on the keyboard.

I swear, those of you bitching that Obama hasn't flown on down there need to chill. Do you expect him to walk up to the water and waves his hands and it go down? Pull a Jesus and walk on it and help rescue people?

Would you rather he fly in, with the work involved whenever a President visits, forcing people who are already overwhelmed with the emergency, forcing them to stop what they are doing and handle his visit instead? He's doing EXACTLY what he should be doing, staying out of it. And if you can find fault with that, then you really are pathetic.

Goodness gracious....this thread has posts that are like small books!

My thoughts exactly Tom. People living near oceans are going to be effected by hurricanes. Their homes are going to be destroyed. Their lives are going to be disrupted each and every time there is a hurricane near them. They will have to abandon their homes and possessions and quickly get as far away from them as possible every time in order to maintain their personal safety. Although, it seems many of these people who choose to live by the oceans also choose to stay there when the storms come. None of this makes any sense. I know its beautiful by the oceans and generally the weather is nice, but it's still in no way worth the expense and devastation that is inevitably going to take place there. The money used by the government to "recover" from all these hurricanes would be much more wisely used if spent helping to RELOCATE all the people that live in these dangerous areas!

So does that mean people who live in "Tornado Alley" should be relocated? Or people in California who are subjected to earthquakes? What about all the northerners during the winter who cost millions due to mother nature's snow and ice storms?

Good point Tom. You can't fight mother nature. It doesn't help their situation that they are surrounded by water & sitting below sea level. I totally understand that this is their home but even if they levees were built how many homes have easy access for a rescue or are in condition to with stand a small storm. By the pictures it looks as if some don't even have the means to evacuate. I don't know how much rainfall they have received the past few months but I know in my area (850). We've had rain everyday & knew when this storm came it was going to flood in certain areas even if it didn't hit us directly.

"There are certain places that mother nature never intended man to inhabit. But yet, people continue to move these areas. "

This is what amazed me too, right up until I saw the picture of the people in the rescue boat.

Quit I pay for my own snow removal in my property tax. I know you will come back and say the renters do no pay,but they do in their rent. If I drive in a different part of my state those people pay to have the roads taken care of.We work together. So next time you come driving by in the snow put some money in the cup.

Considering that South Lousiana supplies 25% of the nation's domestic oil supply, you better be glad somebody lives there. Remember, mother nature didn't intend for millions of folks to live in Alaska either, but we benefit financially from their presence and their labor. And we need military presence there, since the gulf and the mouth of the river are of vital strategic and economic importance.

Tom, I understand the point your trying to make, but it's home, tradition, heritage, and history. I dont know if you have ever visited the southern states or made a trip to New Orleans, but I promise if you did you would see what I mean and why these people don't wont to leave. I however am from Mississippi and not New Orleans but I absolutely love going to visit New Orleans. It is absoluely beautiful and the history that comes along with it is amazing!! You have your oppinion just like everyone else and thats whats so great about this great place we live in we have a freedom of speech. People from down here in the south wont complain about where they live, they will just wipe their brow and start building back and get ready for another one. Would you tell people in California to pack up and leave due to earthquakes or people from Hawaii to leave due to volcano's or people from the north to go elsewhere due to snow storms???

Louisiana processes about 10% of domestic oil at best and Alaska has 722K people, not millions. Obviously some morons just pull numbers out of their.... well, let's just say below "see" level.

Yeah well - "Savvy Shopper" - guess where the largest Strategic Petroleum Reserve in the U.S. is located? South Louisiana, you twit. And one of the major ports for our country. ALL of our domestic goods coming from up north come down the Mississippi. Get your act together. Maybe you don't need us, but the rest of America sure as hell does.

theendisnear1....WTF? What has snow got to do with this. I think you're on the wrong thread or need some meds!

cookycamp... if you read the entire thread, Quit blaming brought up snow as another "natural disaster". I wouldn't comment on other people's threads or their need for meds until you have looked in the mirror first.

Michelle,

Please tell me where you got that information? This is the latest data I have:

• Bryan Mound - Freeport, Texas. 20 caverns with a storage capacity of 254 million barrels (40,400,000 m³) with a drawdown capacity of 1.5 million barrels (240,000 m³) per day.^[6][7]
• Big Hill - Winnie, Texas. Has a capacity of 160 million barrels (25,000,000 m³) with a drawdown capacity of 1.1 million barrels (170,000 m³) per day. This facility is planned to be expanded by 250 million barrels (40,000,000 m³) with a new drawdown capacity of 1.5 million barrels (240,000 m³) per day.^[7]
• West Hackberry - Lake Charles, Louisiana. Has a capacity of 227 million barrels (36,100,000 m³) with a drawdown capacity of 1.3 million barrels (210,000 m³) per day.^[7]
• Bayou Choctaw - Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Has a capacity of 76 million barrels (12,100,000 m³) with a maximum drawdown rate of 550,000 barrels (87,000 m³) per day. This facility is planned to be expanded to 109 million barrels (17,300,000 m³) with a new drawdown capacity of 600,000 barrels (95,000 m³) per day.^[7]

Seems to me Texas is the big winner here, not LA.

cook people are trying to compare snow storms with a disaster. I have been in the last 55years of snow storms in Pa.and they are not even close to this. These people need to move their living area away from this mess. Keep your business and life apart..

These people have jobs and families and have lived in those areas since before the American Revolution. You can't build a major port city where it doesn't connect to the sea. New Orleans is where it is because of the river and the Gulf access. The river is commerce. The river is how bulk cargo is moved the most efficiently and cheaply. Remove New Orleans bulk cargo facilities and all your prices will skyrocket. It is the most efficient,cheap and envionmentally safe way to move bulk cargo. I never in my life knew there were so many Americans who have no insight into these simple concepts. Suggest watching the History Channel How the States Got Their Shapes series You might learn something beyond the pavement of your Eastern cities. Leon Winnie does not have port facilities and so they can't replace a refinery with bulk tanker facilities. You can't pull a supertanker up to Winnie Tx and pump bulk oil off.

peace,love,happiness

People from down here in the south wont complain about where they live, they will just wipe their brow and start building back and get ready for another one. Would you tell people in California to pack up and leave due to earthquakes or people from Hawaii to leave due to volcano's or people from the north to go elsewhere due to snow storms???

___________________________________________________________________________________

You miss the point of what Tom says. These storms show up every year and we are expected to clean it up each time. People in Hawaii are smart enough to not live in the path of the lava and the volcano's don't go off each season, up north the taxes are collected all year to pay the snowplow etc. to remove the snow and as far as California I would move from there as fast as possible (but for more reasons than earthquakes), but again those are not happening each season. Now if any of these things happened at least one time a year I would say move and quit expecting the government to clean up each time. I understand having to live within an area due to a job but to continue to live in an area 12 feet below sea level is just stupid and to expect the rest of the country to clean it up each time is also stupid.

I can understand continuing to live in the same community despite repeated disasters. It's hard to move from what you're comfortable with, though I do agree that it's really dumb to live somewhere like NO and get "surprised' by flooding. What really annoys me about this situation is that people not only return to the same area waiting for relief, but they don't even leave their homes for the storm and need rescuing, endangering the rescuers AND costing more money!

If you don't want to leave your heritage behind and move somewhere I can at least understand where you're coming from and that it's a tough thing to do. What I can't get and do not forgive is people ignoring evacuation orders and then requiring rescue at the cost of the rest of the people, especially the rescuers who are risking their lives because of your ignorance and stupidity. If you want to live somewhere that will repeatedly get destroyed, go for it...but don't ignore obvious warnings to leave your home and then require others to risk their lives because you didn't get the message..

theendisnear1

Quit I pay for my own snow removal in my property tax.

And I pay for living on the coast via significantly higher wind & water insurance. I've lived on the coast the last dozen years and paid in close to $100k in insurance...I did have claims one year, but that was only $18k. My neighborhood has been there over 40 years, and none of the houses on stilts has ever been destroyed, so the odds are I pay for more in insurance than I will ever get back in damages.

I agree that people should be able to live where they want. Having said that, at some point they have to bear the responsibility for their decisions. They can't continue to live in an area knowing the imminent risks and then expect everyone else (and by this I mean taxpayers because that's where the govt gets its money) to pay for the inevitable losses and costs of clean up. Perhaps the government should take a proactive step, declare the land uninhabitable, buy the residents out at a fair price and be done with the problem.

What really annoys me about this situation is that people not only return to the same area waiting for relief, but they don't even leave their homes for the storm and need rescuing, endangering the rescuers AND costing more money!

Many of them also don't purchase home owner's insurance and ask for a handout from the federal government when their house does get destroyed. My heart goes out to people who lose everything, but really, it's on them to pay for it. That's why you get insurance.

What I can't get and do not forgive is people ignoring evacuation orders and then requiring rescue at the cost of the rest of the people, especially the rescuers who are risking their lives because of your ignorance and stupidity.

A big thing that happened in Katrina is that you had a large population of poor folks who relied on public transit for their day to day travels. They couldn't afford their own car. During a storm, public transit is not an option, so many of the people who were ordered out simply could not get out. What can you do but put your head between your knees and kiss your __— goodbye?

A big thing that happened in Katrina is that you had a large population of poor folks who relied on public transit for their day to day travels. They couldn't afford their own car. During a storm, public transit is not an option, so many of the people who were ordered out simply could not get out. What can you do but put your head between your knees and kiss your __— goodbye?

Didn't think of that. But, If that's the case, then that needs to be addressed by the local government as well. Issuing evacuations without ensuring the ability to evacuate does nothing. If you have a large population that relies on public transport, you need to provide transport for those people who need it. I don't know if they didn't do that or what...but the bottom line is that it NEEDS to be figured out BEFORE people are stranded on the second floor of homes while a 15foot flood-river rages by and rescuers in a small boat have to risk their lives to get to you. If people can, they need to leave themselves. If they can't, the local government needs to be aware and include that in evacuation plans.

This needs to get figured out before people are stranded, especially when we had a week leading up to this....

Ron insurance is a different rattle snake.

All those poor people must have broken legs its not like we have been walking for a couple of million years must have had cars the whole time lol my bad

marionc the government just did a census. They know the location, income level, and I think if you are disabled.

Now 50,000 people WILL be displaced....

Just look at all of the suffering by NON Republicans/conservatives/Christians from the effects of the hurricane that you were so fervently wishing to inundate the land in the same....... "light"...

HOW CAN YOU DENY THAT OUT OF 50,000 LOUISIANA RESIDENTS THERE MUST BE AT LEAST A FEW WHO ARE NOT INBRED KNUCKLE-DRAGGING, BIGOTED REDNECK RACISTS WITH THREE TEETH FROM A TRAILER PARK?

Hope the one day delay has been deemed by you, sitting up there high and dry,..... on the moral and intellectual high ground, to be worth what it is costing all of the....."innocent..." : P people affected.

In any case, if you were one of the revelers, just compartmentalize any guilt you may feel and label it collateral damage, then it won't bother you so much.

To people comparing natural disasters..

You cannot compare winter storms in the northeast to any of the ill effects of living through hurricanes in the southern states, earthquakes in California, tornado alley and tsunamis in Japan.

I have lived in New England all my life and snow is a big part of it for 4-5 months of the year. People adapt to it. A foot (or a few) of snow overnight is no big deal for me the next morning, and I have a civic.. One of the worst storms that I remember was only Halloween last year, and it wasn't necessarily the snow itself, but the fact that the leaves were still on the trees, which made the branches fall and knock out power to millions. That being said, I have NEVER EVER seen a winter storm destroy completely thousands of homes, vegetation, animals, etc. I have never seen buses and hospitals obliterated. I have never seen major explosions due to weather. I have never seen winter storms cause nearly the amount of damage that hurricanes tornadoes and earthquakes do. Those things obliterate entire communities.

So to my point. Why do people still choose to live in such a location? I don't know. I think they're crazy. I am sure if I traveled to New Orleans I would think it's absolutely gorgeous (when it's not destroyed by water, that is), I don't doubt you. And I understand that the history and memories involved keep you rooted. But to say it's worth the cost of building and rebuilding every couple years, due to natural disasters beyond your control, is insane. It's the definition of stupidity, to do the same thing over and over and expect different results. And to make everyone else pay for your rescue when you don't leave, your handouts for food, shelter, supplies... every single time. If you want to live there, so be it, but there has to come a point where people become responsible for their actions, for their choices, when they choose to live there. We can't shell out money for people who are being stubborn.

I am biased, but New England seems the perfect place to me. The rare earthquake is almost undetected, a small tornado every 5-10 years (?) with minimal damage, no mudslides, no major forest fires, no tsunamis, we get hurricanes but nothing that floods like the south... and the seasons make this place gorgeous. I can't imagine living without a white Christmas. So if you consider moving to a safer area.. with a permanent home...just saying.

Gee it seems I remember a lot of empty school buses sitting in flooded lots after Katrina. I can't imagine those not being used to remove people from all those areas at very little cost to the local government. I'm sure the cost of that would be far less than all the rescue time and endangerment of human life. Government has become useless at all levels............

gmainco... i do understand the point he was trying to make, but sadly enough you all are talking about new orleans and in this situation new orleans didnt really even flood bad this time, it is the surrounding towns that did due to lakes, rivers ect.... So what do you do about that??? some people like yourselves can be sooo heartless and thats sad !! real sad!! I hope you are never faced with w/ a natural disaster, i hope you live on a perfect piece of land that is able to withstand anything possible. New Orleans does have a LOT of sin that goes on, as does the coast of Mississippi as far as gambling/prostitution, ect.. maybe God is trying to tell them something, but MY point is have a heart !! This is all Gods creatures that are being affected, whether they are red, yellow, black or white, male, female, have aids, dont have a job, animals, kids, drawing off welfare, we need to pray for them!!! Yes it does sicken me that I work and pay taxes (which takes almost all of my check) to see people wanting the government to bail them out, but i would never want them to be without their home!!

QuitBlaming, you are clueless. Take it from a Northerner, we do not get a red penny of federal money when it snows. Local and state taxes pay for snow removal and yes, maybe people that live in those areas should move. However, I do not remember a point in time when the federal government spent over $14 BILLION to address a natural disaster in one city. I for one agree, maybe it's time to let the gulf reclaim New Orleans.

Savvy Shopper-4621457

Louisiana processes about 10% of domestic oil at best and Alaska has 722K people, not millions. Obviously some morons just pull numbers out of their.... well, let's just say below "see" level.

Louisiana is home to about 18 percent of the nation’s refining capacity

http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20091029/NEWS0101/910299932?p=2&tc=pg

marionc the government just did a census. They know the location, income level, and I think if you are disabled.

Then it really is up to them to ensure evacuation is possible for people who can't do it on their own. For the people that can get out, they REALLY need to. Rescuers should not need to risk their lives for the irresponsibility of others, be it the government for not making transportation available or people for deciding not to leave.

Michele in the bayou country: You are correct in saying a lot of materials move out of country through Louisiana. Out of the top 10, there are three ports in LA. Port of Southern LA with the largest tonnage at 224,787,320 tons:

then Houston, TX; Beaumont, TX; Long Beach, CA; Corpus Christi, TX; New Orleans, LA; Huntington, WV; Texas City TX; Baton Rouge, LA; and Mobile, AL. There is a lot of dredging that needs to be done in LA though.

For those bitchin about snow versus, Hurricanes, tornados, etc. Snow will melt, water will dry up and run down stream and tornados go away. Now Earthquakes are another matter. All people living in and around the San Andreas fault should have to move to New Orleans.

Guys, please. The same area does not flood EVERY YEAR. Different areas flood at different times. You just read about floods in the same state and assume they are in the same area. Last year there were areas along the Mississippi River that were flooded and they were concerned about an area that may have been near this area, but it did not flood. The area near Slidell has NEVER FLOODED, it says. Read the article. It states that this is not even the same area that flooded during Katrina. I have to wonder if some of you may be looking for a reason to justify not helping others you deem not worthy for some reason.

Regarding those of us who live in areas with higher risk: I can't say for other states, but in FL it's difficult even to get property insurance, and we have to pay a huge amount for it. We are all mandated by law to have it. What we are not required by law to have, unless we live in a high risk area for FLOODING, is flood insurance. (You must have flood insurance to pay for damage caused by a storm surge.) However, I would think these people in the article would be considered to be at high risk for flooding. Even though I am not personally required to have flood insurance, we've "never flooded," and I'm not right on the beach, I have it anyway because you never know how much rain a hurricane will dump (I've seen over 20 inches in one storm); and sometimes the drains get clogged.

peace,love,happiness

gmainco... i do understand the point he was trying to make, but sadly enough you all are talking about new orleans and in this situation new orleans didnt really even flood bad this time, it is the surrounding towns that did due to lakes, rivers ect.... So what do you do about that??? some people like yourselves can be sooo heartless and thats sad !! real sad!! I hope you are never faced with w/ a natural disaster, i hope you live on a perfect piece of land that is able to withstand anything possible.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Why do you think I am above helping those in need. I personally helped a family that was displaced by Katrina with school supplies and jackets that they needed in Colorado when they came here. I was more than willing to help them as they did get out when told to go (husband was military and helping with body removal and clean up) so Mom and 3 kids came to live with relatives here. They lost a lot of things due to such short notice to evacuate but they did go as soon as they were told. I have probably faced more things in this life than you could ever imagine but my family did it together and helped each other and didn't sit around waiting for a government bail out and yes I do live on beautiful land in Colorado in the Rockies. We do have snow, tornadoes, floods and even an occasional earthquake as well as forest fires but not 12 feet below sea level that has to face at least one or more storms a year and then won't evacuate when told to and put others at risk to rescue me, then ask the government to bail me out "again." So don't call someone names (heartless) unless you really know them and know they have never done anything for anyone else. It is good to know you care about others but caring for others that won't care for themselves gets real old real fast. Have a good evening....

I agree you need help of some sort.

only 1 person died so dont state people are dying and the reasoning there suffering is because it's a hurricane.

maybe romney will make a new policy banning hurricanes from the U.S. so sick of you stupid @#$@$%& bringing politics into natural disaster. he declared a state of emergency which will bring help from red cross and whatever other establishments help with this things.

Don't be like that! Good Lord, it just happened...the storm hasn't even finished and you are crying for help. You did know well in advance this storm was going to hit. You also know the area you live in is prone for flooding with even a strong rain so why didnt you help yourself and evacuate? Now you want help? You want the President to send others in to risk their lives in the midst of a storm and save you? Don't get me wrong, I agree that assistance will be needed in the area for sure....but you have to be responsible for yourself as well. Stop relying on the government to immediately fix everything....you should adopt this habit anyway cause by the looks of things and they way they are going, government may not be there to fix anything in the future.

You want help, ok here is some advice! GET OUT!!! Seriously! You live under sea level, mother nature will not take a break just because you are ignorant! You would think you learned your lesson seven years ago! Ok so you chose to move back, fine. But then you were given a THREE day warning, at least, to leave, the storm in coming. I don't like Obama at all, but it is not his job to babysit stupid people. He told you to get out of there as well, smartest thing he said since he has been in office!

Must be a democrat - hand out already.

God helps those who help themselves. BO can't save himself much less you.

No cantcomprhend, maxman-6680112 is a staunch Republican, go look at his/her profile.

Why is a force of nature, in progress, a political agenda to be exploited?

Must be a democrat - hand out already.

No, he/she must be a republican since they're accusing Obama of not doing his job when he's already done it. I guess they missed the part in the article where it said that Obama had declared Louisiana and Mississippi as disaster areas in need of federal assistance. Too bad his impotent predecessor didn't respond as quickly.

God helps those who help themselves.

Where in the Bible does it say that?

I think maxman was being sarcastic.

Don't hold your breath Bobby Jindal is a republican you will probably get the same answer Texas did last year during the fires. No. Obama only helps his own.

Too bad his impotent predecessor didn't respond as quickly".

He did, The Guv and the Mayor refused aid.

You're doing a heck of a job Barry.

And what is OBAMA supposed to do stick his finger where there is a hole, or maybe you think he is Superman.

Maxman is just being a sarcastic troll. Seems to me the pumps and levees put in after Katrina (finished on Obama's watch) already saved NOLA. I'm sure Maxman has also complained somewhere about the cost of that work...

It'll take time to help out the rest of the people, because no amount of planning can construction can forestall a hurricane/tropical storm sitting on half of a couple states for days.

I'm going to bet that Maxman is lying (and, of course, a Repub). I knew that some repub would somehow spin such a politically neutral event into a political discussion, repubs are so very predictable, they never disappoint! Kind of like a child.

Until the President can safely fly over the area they won't fly him near it.

Seems to me the pumps and levees put in after Katrina (finished on Obama's watch) already saved NOLA.

Yeah, and the 14 billion bucks to build them came from somebody. I'll give you a hint, it wasn't small government.

@BG -I'm going to bet that Maxman is lying (and, of course, a Repub). I knew that some repub would somehow spin such a politically neutral event into a political discussion, repubs are so very predictable, they never disappoint! Kind of like a child -- Like Democrats did with Bush and Katrina? And if you want predictable, how about the baby slap on the hand for the Tax Evading Chuck Rangle, but yet Wiener can get forced out of office for racey photos. Or maybe we need to remind ourselves about the failures of the illegal immigration issue, especially when Brain Dead Barry has at least 2 illegal immigrant family members (the aunt who was like a mother to him, collected social assistance and had a deportation order for more than 10 years, and the Uncle who got a DUI and instead of calling a lawyer said to place his phone call to his nephew - also by the way who had a deportation order), or maybe we need to be reminded of the solution to the killing of an American Rancher on his Land by an illegal immigrant - signs warning Americans not to walk in a 10 mile zone INSIDE AMERICA from the border.

Yeah, I can see how Barry is SOOOO much better. Especially when he confirms the identity of a covert special operations force and then consults with Hollywood to produce a movie about how HIS leadership was responsible for OBL. Funny thing is, I don't think Barry could be in the situation room and going through the door at the same time, but hey his word GO is what neutralized the threat, it sure wasn't our courageous defenders in the line of fire that did that deed now was it?

How about that transparent government when he seals his college records as a matter of national security? Afraid someone might see on the records where it lists nationality, that it might say Kenyan? Or is the POTUS too afraid that someone might see that he had to repeat classes or heaven forbid got a C in English? Goodness, what a real threat to national security a "C" grade is, unless of course it is the nationality question. But we will never know because transparency promised is far from what was ever produced...

@Pragmatic-3918582

I didn't want my tax money to be used for a needless war in Iraq either but guess who spent it and my grandchildren's future taxes as well. Tell you what, you pay for the Iraq war and I'll pay for the pumps in NO.

Damned if you do and damned if you don't. There is no end to the blame game and whining when something is done to correct a problem. The problem in Iraq was not corrected since it's just as bad as it was before the invasion. The problem in NO was corrected as best as today's technology will allow. Much cheaper too.

But hey those are republican red states, I thought they were against government intrusion into their lives. They hate this president and how he wishes to make them stepchildren in his nanny state. Where is that spirit of self reliance and individual responsibility, instead of expecting the government to take care of you. What happened to starve the beast, now you want to feast off the beast, you want the starving beast to rescue you. Where is this all this tax money coming from you will chew through, you are against taxes, why not put a call in to the local corporations for help, why not call Romney to rally wall street to your rescue. Why call on the public sector workers who's wages and benefits you are so willing to cut to risk their lives and bail you out. How we gonna give trillions in tax cuts to the wealthiest of the wealthy in we have to keep pouring money into Louisiana year in and year out. Call the Koch brothers they can spare a few billion, and I here they are awfully nice guys who are very concerned about your welfare. How can you live with yourself if you are reduced to turning to Obama and he federal government as your saviour.

Republicans spew that crap constantly for the last three and a half years, they will spew tons of it at their convention tonight as they beg for help from the government they treat with such disdain, but never fail to depend on themselves. There crap sounds great when they think they are talking about poor people in Chicago or anywhere else, but it is an entirely different tune when they themselves need help, and they always need plenty don't they, yes sir, they always do need plenty of federal dollars and support.

I hope they get the help they need, I hope they realize where it comes from, and just who pays for it. It will not come from the wealthiest 1%, it will not come from corporate America, it will come from the very people who work for the government they denigrate day in and day out, and it will be paid for Union men like me, and other workers who make just enough money to pay more than twice the tax rate Romney does.

Good luck and God bless, maybe someday you will figure out who your friends are, they are the ones to show up when you need help.

President Obama has already sent help. Did you not see the headlines on Tuesday? The National Guard troops are the ones rescuing people down in NO at the moment.

With Katrina the gov of LA and the mayor of NO had to request federal help, which they didn't do in a timely fashion, and the feds were at fault for not being ready to respond. It's different this time, President Obama made the offer to help as soon as we all knew Isaac was going to hit NO,and the mayor & governor accepted.

Now they are mobilizing to go to MS and help evacuate. According to this line in the article:

Mississippi officials, however, said they didn't think the volume of water in the 700-acre lake at Percy Quin State Park near McComb, Miss., would add enough flow to threaten communities downstream.

They didn't think it was going to, but Mother Nature threw a curveball. It's hardly these folks' fault that they didn't evacuate before the storm.

Sorry, Amanda, but you need to review your p&p manual. The Guard is under the control of the state governor, not the prez. Hence, the governor is the only one who can issue a call-out for something like this. The Pentagon, not the prez, issues call-up orders for overseas deployments or to replace active-duty units that are deployed overseas.

Obama already declared the state of emergency weeks before this hit. There are federal assistance waiting before all this happens and now you blame Obama for not doing anything?

How about blaming the Republican governor who didn't take it seriously and have slow response for federal assistance to move in? You know like Akin, many Republican doesn't believe in science and keep telling people that this hurricane is just "fear-mongering".

You have noone to blame but the people in your party who didn't take it seriously and put the people at risk. Now you blame Obama for your Republican governor's failure...

Edit: This is the same thing with wild fires, cut fire fighters and let's borrow neighbor states when bad things happen. They failed to realize that those neighbors states are doing exact same thing.

This just in- Much of Louisiana is below sea level, and any hurricanes that strike will most likely be devastating. No worries, the Federal Government has plenty of money (tax payers) and will serve as an insurance policy, so keep rebuilding, it's going great so far. Engineering 101- 15 feet of wall won't hold back water 16 feet and higher.......in 1906 Galveston Texas built a 17 foot sea wall- higher that the ones in question- how embarrassing is that? 1906...... just saying.

Why do I doubt there ever was a possibility of you voting for him?

and what the hell is he gonna do about a hurricane. does he have super pump to get rid of the ocean, he doesnt have a instant wall to block the water from overflowing the levees. get real idiot.

i hope they dont spend another penny on this below sea level city that was once a swamp. how many times are we gonna waste money rebuilding it just to have go underwater again.. and regardless of president what do you really expect them to do.

Hey John, I think you missed the part of the article that said that Obama has declared Louisiana and Mississippi disaster areas, which qualifies them for federal assistance. The question is, will they accept his help when he offers it? Or, will they turn down his assistance the way they turned down his stimulus package, and will their pride allow them to accept help from the very president they bashed, hated, and demonized as if he was the AntiChrist? I agree with BTW3110; I believe you never planned to vote for Obama anyway and were looking for any excuse, no matter how petty, to justify not voting for him.

I have seen this similar comment many times now and I have a question for you...What do you expect Obama to do to stop the Hurricane? Recede the floods? Force you to leave when given an order to evacuate? Convince you this is not the best place to live? Speak to Mother Nature about it?
Please tell me so I can understand.

John is just a troll, Robin. He's trying to get a rise out of you. Just ignore his sorry A$$

Oh goody he declared it a disaster area. Before you say will they accept HIS help HE will not be paying for it YOU will. It will be the PEOPLE of the US helping other PEOPLE of the US not Obama writing a check. Every president of every party for the last forty years I have lived on the Gulf Coast has declared disaster areas at the REQUEST of the governor of the state. BTW Bobby Jindal declared a disaster area before the first wave hit Plaquimines parish. Wait until all the disaster areas start being declared as this storm moves north and floods places as far north as Chicago. I guess y'all haven't been taking the weather channel seriously. I suggest you get off here and find out if you are in the cone of uncertainity and take the warnings serious. This slow moving storm will flood many places far from the Gulf coast. It is going up the Mississippi Valley to the Ohio river Valley and turning East Have fun y'all.

You need to praise the Lord that it was not a Category 5 Hurricane. Then the people would really be in trouble. Things could have been a lot worse than it is. Obama did a good job. Declaration of federal disaster area already.

Hey reb---Chicago has it covered. We might get a little wind and a little rain. We are not 12' below sea level. No wonder y'all lost the War of Northern Aggression.

Hmmm. And where's Romney? In Tampa giving speeches to rich people for money. You're being a little hypocritical there, John the Fish.

They have the FEMA Urban Search & Rescue Teams on standby yet! Why don't they have them there already to help those poor people. FEMA strikes again, another disaster waiting to happen like last time!!!!!

You would think they would have learned last time!!!!!!

sadworld, where's Obama? Oh yes, also at fundraisers giving speeches to rich (hypocritical) actors for money. Looks like you're the hypocrite.

go back to watching your romney ryan videos, yeah were is the REPUBLICAN Congress and why are they not authorizing money to help these people, oh yeah they are on ANOTHER EXTENDED Vacation.

Welp its been two days now since the hurricane hit and still no help from the federal govt. Where is obama? Oh yea he is getting donations from rich people to help with his reelection. Fu<k those poor and middle class people in LA and MISS.

Roads are flooded and people have no supplies and are dying daily. Where is the help from Obama?

OK, MAYBE it should not be government's job to rescue these people, but what should governments do? Do you think government should ban these people from being where many families have lived for hundreds of years? Sit and watch them drown, starve, slowly die from disease and exposure? I, for one, do not espouse the 'let them die' rhetoric seemingly common now. They are fellow citizens, and deserve our assistance. For all our divisions along racial, regional, religious and political boundaries, we are still ONE nation.... a large community, and communities help their members.

Ah....The old "YOUR Emergency is not MY Emergency" argument. It's all fine-n-dandy until it becomes your emergency too though.

Ah....The old "YOUR Emergency is not MY Emergency" argument. It's all fine-n-dandy until it becomes your emergency too though.

I think it's more the old "Take responsibility for yourself, especially when a HURRICANE is heading straight for your town which happens to on the coast and below sea level."

This is a disaster, but much of the pain and suffering could have been avoided if people just put away their stubbornness and listened to the evacuation notices. I'm all for helping others when they need it, even when it's because of their own stupidity, but that doesn't make it OK and acceptable. If you're standing in a field during a thunderstorm with a metal rod in the air and you get electrocuted, I'll call an ambulance for you...but that doesn't change the fact that you were being a moron.

I hope everyone's fine and that the people who need help get it. But there's also a point when you have to treat people like adults while also being compassionate. We can't deny these people assistance, but we also can't give them a pass for endangering themselves and the rescuers in the face of obvious harm.

We need to ADAPT, people.. O.K. fine it is a horrible situation, and once again people that refused to leave their homes were rescued.. The homes were damaged or totally destroyed.. IN KNOWING THAT, DO NOT REBUILD IN THAT AREA.. Granted they've lived there all their life.. Well, before recent weather patterns that might have been safe.. IT'S NOT SAFE ANYMORE.. I live in the North East, and the storms are getting worse as the years and weather patterns change.. I realize that soon I will have to think about changing my area code.. At least I will be alive, and unharmed if I heed warning.. We get all kids of bad weather where I live.. Floods, blizzards, hurricanes, Tropical Storms.. It's horrible at times, but if it becomes LIFE THREATENING, I'm out.. Enough is enough..

htrodr2, the flooding was NOT expected to be this bad. Many nursing homes DID evacuate ahead of time. However, it is a very risky thing to move fragile residents. Trying to move them can kill them quicker than keeping them in place and trying to fortify the facility. I am on the Board of Directors of a nursing home, and we review this regularly. First you evacuate the more physically and mentally fit, who can handle it. Then, you VERY carefully TRY to move those who are bedridden. Sometimes, by moving the more physically able, you don't have to move the more fragile residents, depending on the threat. If moving a resident is likely to kill her, and keeping her in place is less likely to kill her, what would YOU do?

It wasn't New Orleans that flooded. It was Plaquemines Parish were people had to be rescued and not all people have the means to just pick up and go. It's sad to see how many people hate Louisiana and seems they hate New Orleans even more. Having gone through our fair share of hurricanes, a lot of people didn't think that a Cat 1 would have been that bad. FYI not everyone from Louisiana are morons.

Does every person who lives there collect the oil???? You are forgetting the fact that the big oil companies will still go there to get oil. As you say Alaska (which part of the Arctic Circle is in), is super low in population. We are NOT living in the 1890's anymore. We have railways and road systems to make life easier and were build for a specific reason....transportation, not just to look at. We as people need to grow and to put are selves in a situation that can benefit from learning from our history...

The oil comes from drilling offshore, the gas from shale, neither of which is dependent upon the existance of New Orleans.

Juse move Nawlins 40 miles upstream and eliminate the hassle. No more flooded properties, no more dog rescues, no more living on land 12 feet below sea level, plenty of water to float a ship, plenty of space for oil and LNG terminals, plenty of space for new refineries (may need to put a muzzle on the EPA on that one), and so on and so on. If you live in a hole, sooner or later you will sleep in the water.

I don't want to see anyone straded in an emergency. But US taxpayers already footed the bill in an enormous investment to help keep those living below sea level safe and... dry (what a joke!).

I say enough is enough. This is getting ridiculous because its a no-brainer (referring to people who consistently make dumb choices over and over again). I understand that people may own property underwater right now. Sell when its time to make a few bucks... then MOVE.

Like voting Republican LG?

Uh... No... I am not a Republican nor am I conservative. I prefer to shovel snow in winter and relax by the lake in the summer instead of pumping water out of my home.

Maybe that's why I think living below sea level is a personal choice that comes with responsibilities. I just don't get the rationale and I am pretty sure a lot of other people throughout this country are looking at the people of N.O. and scratching their heads too.

So you financially prudent people like Rocco & LG are against wasteful spending??

GOOD FOR YOU.

Now, kindly stop our rebuilding of Iraq (billions), our rebuilding of Afghanistan(billions) 38 billion for Pakistan to behave, even our current clean-up of Vietnam (41 million).

Or is it ONLY spending on American citizens, you dislike??? Oh , thats WELFARE/Socialism when that happens.

Scar you left out the $1 trillion+ to rebuild the same corporations that perpetrated the Great Subprime Mortgage Scam. Free money for criminals.

Now 50,000 people WILL be displaced....

Just look at all of the suffering by NON Republicans/conservatives/Christians from the effects of the hurricane that you were so fervently wishing to inundate the land in the same....... "light"...

HOW CAN YOU DENY THAT OUT OF 50,000 LOUISIANA RESIDENTS THERE MUST BE AT LEAST A FEW WHO ARE NOT INBRED KNUCKLE-DRAGGING, BIGOTED REDNECK RACISTS WITH THREE TEETH FROM A TRAILER PARK?

Hope the one day delay has been deemed by you, sitting up there high and dry,..... on the moral and intellectual high ground, to be worth what it is costing all of the....."innocent..." : P people affected.

In any case, if you were one of the revelers, just compartmentalize any guilt you may feel and label it collateral damage, then it won't bother you so much.

Where's pigotry, where's starsailing and all of you who were having such a rousing party...?


--LIVING BELOW SEA LEVEL--

I understand that people may own property underwater right now. Sell when its time to make a few bucks... then MOVE

LG- I don't see how that solves anything. If someone sells property subject to flooding, that means someone else bought the same property from them, and is subject to the same danger. The only way to avoid future repair costs is for all the current owners to abandon their property and take a total loss. Not likely.

And that's why you can't buy flood insurance for a building in the Missouri River flood plain anymore. The Feds said no more and the insurance companies said great! Now if you rebuild in the flood plain, you may need to be rescued, but you have to rebuild your property on your own. That's why a lot of farmers in northwestern Missouri and northeastern Kansas are rebuilding their homes uphill from their farms and a number of the small towns in those areas are being moved uphill away from the river.

After the Great Plaza Flood in the '70s, my wife and I vowed a mighty vow not to buy another house at the bottom of a hill and we've kept that vow. Every house we have bought since then has been at least halfway up the slope of the hill. That keeps us out of the hole and keeps us from sleeping in the water.

Ther rebuild costs are paid by insurance. Fire & windstorm are covered, & there's coverage for earthquakes & floods too, but it's extremely expensive, & not everyone can afford it. Obviously, anyone who can't afford to pay their insurance premiums, certainly can't afford to relocate

Musician---they could have relocated with their checks they received last time.

If you lived in an area all your life, would you let a natural disaster force you to leave? It's easier said than done to just pick up and move to another location. Besides, in the interior locations across the US (away from the coastal areas) you still have tornadoes and other natural disasters. Back in April of 2011, there was a tornado outbreak in parts of Alabama and Georgia. Does that mean that the residents of Alabama and Georgia should move elsewhere? This wouldn't be a wise idea, because the chances of a tornado outbreak is just as good in any other part of the country as it is in Alabama and Georgia. If everyone just up and moved every time a natural disaster occurred, everyone would be moving around all the time, never staying in one place for very long. Besides, moving isn't cheap.

What the ...

Sounds like the Holy Bible to me...

There's a lot of folks on this site who openly call for abandoning their fellow Americans just because they've had some bad luck.

There were alot of folks on tis site who were WISHING for this to happen.......

You'll find the information you were looking for in the PSEUDO-LIBERAL "BIBLE"

It in the chapter covering which demographics can acceptably be wised dead en masse.

Perhaps you missed it.

Apparently, the PSEUDO-LIBERAL BIBLE is new for you. Don't worry about the details, the contradictions between what your heart tells you, your core values and the behavior outlined and detailed as acceptable in the book which directly contrasts what you though you had signed up for.

The pangs in your conscience will go away in time. It really helps, as evidenced by the ... Content....." on this site alone, adopting the mob mentality is necessary. Anyways, once you have a torch in your hand and join the which hunt those feelings of hypocrisy and low-lifeishness will diss-olve.

Now 50,000 people WILL be displaced....

Just look at all of the suffering by NON Republicans/conservatives/Christians from the effects of the hurricane that you were so fervently wishing to inundate the land in the same....... "light"...

HOW CAN YOU DENY THAT OUT OF 50,000 LOUISIANA RESIDENTS THERE MUST BE AT LEAST A FEW WHO ARE NOT INBRED KNUCKLE-DRAGGING, BIGOTED REDNECK RACISTS WITH THREE TEETH FROM A TRAILER PARK?

Hope the one day delay has been deemed by you, sitting up there high and dry,..... on the moral and intellectual high ground, to be worth what it is costing all of the....."innocent..." : P people affected.

In any case, if you were one of the revelers, just compartmentalize any guilt you may feel and label it collateral damage, then it won't bother you so much.

Actually, fire & windstorm are covered under insurance policies. There's coverage for earthquakes & floods too, but it's extremely expensive, & not everyone can afford it. Obviously, anyone who can't afford to pay their insurance premiums, certainly can't afford to relocate.

True, and these concerns you are voicing are in line with the core values of the liberal cause.

However, if those concerns are selectively applied to exclude "Bible thumpers" , the whole thing only serves as an example of the epidemic of Pseudo-Liberalism spreading over the land like a solar eclipse.

Yes, denigrate and mock the Bible thumping community for cherry picking their "good book" and then proceed to hypocritically imitate their behavior with one's own "values.....? "

All of the evidence suggests that it is the same crossed wires in the brain which cause this behavior, regardless of which side of the cyber-stoning circle one occupies.

What are you smoking? You sound like a sham-wow commercial go peddle your goods somewhere else.

I can't help but wonder why people continue to live in areas that are at high risk and then ask others to put their lives in danger to rescue them. And then ask the government (aka tax dollars) to rebuild in the same spot.

Couldn't we leave those high risk areas for the wildlife and wilderness and places to visit when there isn't any danger?

Regardless, I hope everyone and their pets and livestock get out of there safely.

I wouldn't believe it if any insurance company offered any kind of coverage in this part of the country!

Agree, and maybe that's where the problem solving begins? Insurance companies need to stop insuring structures in these areas....common sense.

No one is asking you to pay for anything! That's why the federal government has this thing called FLOOD INSURANCE! If you have it, and you have paid your premiums on time, you are covered. Even if someone DOESN'T have insurance, YOU won't have to pay a DIME!!!

The federal flood insurance program is subsidized by tax dollars it is not solvent on its own from just the premiums it collects so we are paying for it.