Hurricane Gustav is about to make landfall on the Louisiana coast Monday morning. The last time a hurricane tore through the region in 2005, some 1800 people died. Hurricane Katrina was a harsh lesson for people and the government to learn. This time, the government and people seem to be a lot more prepared. The evacuation plans have been implemented and the movement of about 2 million people has been successful for the most part. Now, it's just a matter of time to see if the new levees and infrastructures in New Orleans will hold against this hurricane. Now, there are still a few people who chose to stay (looters), but they've been warned, and they'll have to live with the consequences of their choices.
While it's great to see how better the preparation for and response to the hurricane is this time, I couldn't help but be bothered by one thing. I'm curious as to why exactly are reporters flocking to New Orleans when mandatory evacuation orders have been issued. Seriously, why are these idiots out there in the wind and rain, getting knocked over, just to tell us what we all ready know: Hurricanes are destructive. The sad thing is, they put themselves in danger for just a few minutes of airtime, and at any moment, they could be taken out by flying debris or drown in a flash flood. No one would remember their names; not really. I mean I keep seeing their spots during the news, but I'm not paying attention to their names. I'm actually paying attention to what's going on behind them.
When did weatherman become the extreme sportsmen of the news team? And are they getting well compensated? I would hope so, because the footage of them falling over and getting knocked down is going to end up on blooper reels and funny videos on the internet.
I agree with you about the weather forecasters [not to mention the camera crew]. What bothers me is that if they get into trouble resources will have to be used to rescue them.
ReplyDeleteI suppose they could just send in remote robot cameras......but then the looters would probably pinch them :-) .
ReplyDeleteI would quite like to be one of those commando weather men , it could be really exciting
Maybe they are getting lots of money for putting themselves in danger, and that's why they're out there. Who knows, I'm just 100% sure I don't want that job.
ReplyDeleteMy brother lives in Houston, and I was talking to him yesterday. He doesn't seem worried about the hurricane yet, but it looks like it's still headed in their direction. Last time they had to drive to Austin to get away from it.
I suppose it makes good TV for those who are far enough away.
ReplyDeleteI hope it dies before really hitting but if it doesn't it's nice to hear that people are prepared this time.
Why is it called Gustav? It's such a Swedish name and I thought they were always girls names.
Yes, send Beast in to cover the hurricane.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see him get blown...away, that is.
Snooze, I hear ya! Not only do they put themselves in danger, but they also put the rescuers in a precarious situation as well. I propose any news people who're rescued have to clean up the storm's mess.
ReplyDeleteBeast, you're a brave man. As for the looters, national guardsmen and police stayed in protected areas with orders to take any looters directly to the maximum security prison, where looters' booties will most likely be pinched...among other things.
Tara, Houstonians are pretty hurricane savvy, esp. given nearby Galveston's tragic history with hurricanes. As for the weathermen, I'd so rather be the anchor, sitting in a nice a/c building, watching the weathermen scramble for cover from the winds and rains while I sip my tea and order about the interns.
CP, you better believe they learned their lessons! So far, the levees seem to be holding, but the flooding is only just beginning. All that rain is going to cause rivers and lakes to overflow within the week.
Hurricane names are from a list in which they alternate male and female names. Guess what? There's a hurricane Hanna on the way and a tropical storm Ike just made his debut!
MJ, the gov't can only deal with one disaster at a time. I don't think it's prepared to deal with Beast yet!