It was said that a great many Louisianans and Mississippians were lost forever to Katrina’s surge due to the fact they lacked gas money. They had cars, but gas went up as the storm was approaching, unrelenting station owners would not budge, rides were not shared, in fact I a reminded of one story relayed to me personally by a friend who like me, enjoys Johnny’s Po-Boys that a black man holding his wife’s hand and a baby offered money to a white family with more than enough room for all of them to get out, and they refused. It is true that I don’t encourage giving rides to strangers, but come on.
That particular family was never heard from again. There are hundreds of anecdotes like this, so take it as you will, but my source is someone I respect. But back to the inability to leave:
New Orleans knew that about one-third of its population did not have enough resources to survive a disaster and that the Superdome did not have the enough resources to help everyone in need. When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans poor blacks and poor people were hit the most because they did not have cars or any money to buy gas or to go stay at a hotel. They also did not know how severe Hurricane Katrina was going to hit, so they decided to stay and most of them lost their lives.
"As a result, those horrors illuminate the social division in our nation and the disproportionate burden of illness, injury, disability and death experience those at the bottom" (Weitz). New Orleans consisted of 67 percent of blacks and of those 67 percent, 34 percent lived below poverty line. Look at those who were able to survive and those who were not. "We’re shocked by the reality of government both failing to get to people soon enough and then the racist and classist nature of some of the media coverage" (Greg Palast). The media is stating how people in New Orleans were neglected to be rescued and how they were neglected funds to repair levee. Also how the government has failed to supply New Orleans with better services for their people.
So if you can get out do so now, because Ida is going to be at least a 3 if not a 4. This means anywhere Terrebonne Parish-west could see winds of up to 140 m.p.h. and over 11 feet of storm surge, however even a slight jog to the east could drastically impact the chances of New Orleans being devastated. That in mind we start here-
City-assisted evacuation
If you can’t evacuate on your own during a mandatory evacuation, the City of New Orleans can help. City-assisted evacuation provides free transportation out of harm's way. Text EVACNOLA to 77295 if you might need to use City-Assisted Evacuation. The City of New Orleans will text you information if there is a mandatory evacuation.
If a mandatory evacuation order is issued during the COVID-19 pandemic, City-Assisted Evacuation will still occur. All evacuees will be provided with masks.
The Smoothie King Center will be the hub for evacuation for residents who can’t leave on their own. During a mandatory evacuation, evacuees should come to the Smoothie King Center (1501 Dave Dixon Dr.), where they will be registered for evacuation. From there, evacuees will board a bus, train, or airplane to a state or federal shelter. To get to the Smoothie King Center from your home, there are multiple options:
- Evacuspots: There are 17 pickup locations across the city, called evacuspots, where dedicated shuttle buses will be bringing evacuees to the Smoothie King Center. 5 evacuspots are specifically for seniors.
- Each person can bring 1 carry-on sized bag with supplies for a go bag. Medical devices, diaper bags, and other necessary personal items will not be counted in the one-bag rule, so bring those too.
- Pets should have an ID collar, leash, medications, and a carrier. Your pet will be taken to an animal shelter near where you're sheltered. Read more about pets.
- Weapons and illegal substances are not allowed in the evacuation process.
As of now the track is for a direct hit on or around Houma, LA.
The Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center, located at 346 Civic Center Blvd. in Houma, will be available as an evacuation shelter beginning 6PM on Saturday, August 28, 2021 for those residents who have evacuated from low-lying areas of the parish. Evacuees should bring sufficient food, water, bedding, baby formula, and other necessary personal items to last 3 days. If transportation is needed to the shelter, please call (985) 873-6357 to arrange pick-up after 12PM on Saturday. Household pets brought to the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center will be registered with the Terrebonne Parish Animal Shelter and kept there until reunited with owners.
This is extremely important-
Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government plans to open shelters ONLY FOR TROPICAL STORMS, CATEGORY 1, and CATEGORY 2 STORMS. These shelters will be staffed and managed by local volunteers with the support of the Houma Police Department and the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office.
NO SHELTERS WILL BE OPEN IN TERREBONNE PARISH FOR A CATEGORY 3 HURRICANE OR GREATER!
H.L. Bourgeois High School is designated as the parish pick-up point during a Category 3 or above storm. Individuals needing transportation out of the parish will be evacuated from this location only. Your supplies must fit under the bus seat and on your lap.
If you are in need of transportation to a shelter or out of Terrebonne Parish, please contact the Terrebonne Parish Council on Aging to register for transportation at (985) 868-8411.
Hurricane force winds are expected to extend as far north as Baton Rouge, so here is info for there-
Bishop Ott Shelter |
1623 Convention St, Baton Rouge 70802 |
Salvation Army |
7361 Airline Hwy, Baton Rouge 70814 |
Please do not hesitate to take any preperatory measures right now if you are in the path of this Hurricane. Ida is going to be a monster, so everything needs to be done by the close of business today if possible. Get what cash, meds, pet supplies and the like and do it now, do not hesitate.
This is a life-endangering storm. People who remain where it lands should not expect a positive outcome, and should not expect assistance to be available immediately if they manage to survive it.
This is a RED ALERT. Get out, or get help. Please, do it now.
-ROC
Edit-Fish Out Of Water posted an as usual excellent diary on how the storm is strengthening more rapidly than anticipated. It can be found here and I greatly encourage you to look at it!
-ROC