Families with no money to evacuate?

[Roxy66]

I just keep thinking of the thousands of people living paycheck to paycheck who just dont have any money to leave. To escape the danger, and find shelter, people will have to travel a good amount of miles away. Many of these people wont have a penny until payday...which could be next friday. How many children will be exposed to this Category 5 Hurricane? I am so scared for these people....because my two children and I would be part of those left behind right now.

[FreedomAngel82]

1. It is horrible

:(

[MasonJar]

2. I've been worrying about that all morning. Surely there will trains

or buses to help people leave.

[ihaveaquestion]

3. In areas where mandatory evacuation is in effect

the authorities and aid agencies will help folks evacuate and they'll be put up in shelters - usually school auditoriums in safe areas.

Evacuation contacts are police, fire and aid agencies - Red Cross, etc.

[Ladyhawk]

4. Tighten your belts, folks. We're going to have to help these people

if there's a direct hit. I can't even fathom how much it will cost to keep everyone sheltered, fed and drinking clean water.

[Gormy Cuss]

9. I wish you were wrong but I'm already assessing

how big a check I'll be writing to a relief group. There are many very poor people in that part of Louisiana and I have a feeling that they are going to lose everything.

[coffeenap]

11. You are right--I have been giving to Cindy's supporters--

now it will be to people on the coast--since there won't be enough money for them due to the insanity of spending on the insane war.

[Roxy66]

12. We need to start thinking of ways we can all help...in our own individal

ways. Collecting clothing, money, food, giving to the Red Cross, volunteering if possible

[BlueJac]

5. Hoping for the best

This is a terrible situation and will devastate the area. Our prayers are with all in harms way.

[coffeenap]

6. They are being told to go to the Superdome with 3 to 5 days

worth of food and to bring blankets. There will be shuttle buses in many neighborhoods--this is what the mayor said on TV a few minutes ago. He also said if the Superdome is wiped out, they have other locations in mind.

[FloridaPat]

8. GThe whole city's been told to evacuate. Is the Superdome outside

the city?

Also, here in Florida there are still people without homes from last year. It was a mess. Some without electricity for months. The worst was from the downed trees, which shoulnd't be an issue in New Orleans.

[coffeenap]

10. No--they showed video of it--right next to the highway--

downtown, I think. This is to be the "last resort" for those who cannot get out due to financial or other circumstances.

[Roxy66]

13. I know they say it can handle 200mph winds, but it's a pretty huge

building, and will be swaying big time. That will be very scary.

[salin]

16. If all these folks report to the Superdome, and it "is wiped out", then

what good are the "other locations in mind?" :cry:

[Roxy66]

7. I used to be a wildland firefighter..and helped with disaster services

I wish I could go down and help now, but I wouldnt have anyone to help with my children. This is horrible

[Solly Mack]

14. People can start boxing up blankets, clothing -readying them to send

as well as putting aside money to send.

Maybe call your local Red Cross and see what they can take now.

I can't believe local buses can't be used to get any and all willing to evacuate...surely a neighboring state or city enough miles away has a shelter or shelters to help the people of New Orleans.

Why hasn't such events been planned for?

Why must being poor be a death sentence in the (so-called) greatest nation on earth?

[FloridaPat]

15. 400,000 people. Can you imagine getting them out of a city in 1 day.

And where to put them because that hurricane will be everywhere they go unless they go hundreds of miles away. Every motel within 500 miles will be filled.

Reminds me of the evacuation plans for a nuclear attack. New Orleans should have one of them. They could use it I guess. I heard the one for New York. The plan was to get the people of of NYC and into tents hundreds of miles away. This would not work with a hurricane. In other words, there is no plan. This is not good. This could be a very big disaster. Last cat 5 storm was Andrew.

[Roxy66]

17. How do communities in other states handle the mass refugees?

Ive never heard of how this impacts the surrounding states

[FloridaPat]

18. Last year the east coast of Florida - every hotel was filled. People

had to go to Georgia for a hotel. It took people 24 hours to get out of Florida when the ride should have been 6-8 hours. It is a nightmare. We didn't have that many people that had to get out. When Andrew came through, people living in homes stayed. Just people in mobile homes were requested to leave. New Orleans is way different. They know how bad a lot of water will be.