CNN - People in convention center

[jopatura]

FEMA and the officials of NOLA just learned today that people were holed up in the convention center without food and without water. The guy being interviewed on CNN (didn't catch the name, just the tailend of the interview) said that they had been so focused about the Superdome, that they didn't realize there were people seeking refuge in the convention center.

How do they let something like this happen? Or how can they ignore for nearly four days?

[SunnyThoughts]

THat guy who was speaking... was the HEAD of fema... if im not mistaken.

[Mattie]

Yep - head of FEMA just learned of the people in the convention center. . . all eyes were focused on the superdome. No one ever mentioned the convention center as a refuge - it is directly on the MS river. However, not too far from the riverwalk - (I'm not sure how much of that end of Canal Street was flooded) and food for those that had the need and could get past the guilt of wrong doing. Surely there were more than just elderly people in there!

[therealashe]

Amazing.

[Liberty30]

I'm not sure I believe him. If it is true, what does that say about the state of the rescue efforts. How does the head of FEMA not know about the second largest shelter in the city of New Orleans? You'd think they'd have at least "caught a glimpse of it in their flyovers. 20,000 people are hard to hide. In the end, it doesn't matter who's at fault. The site of all these bodies has finally gotten to me. I just saw an old woman dying in her husbands arms at the convention center. It's just sad.

[Persepone]

I don't believe him. I may have it on tape but before the hurricane actually hit he was on TV with the Mayor and he was being very stern about how the Convention Center and the Superdome were refuges of "last resort" and how everyone should leave under their own power because the evacuation centers were going to be very unpleasant places for anyone forced to seek refuge in them.

When I heard it I was outraged at the time--but got caught up in the actual arrival of the hurricane itself.

So yes, I was outraged when I heard him tonight. By the way, he lied when he said that the people at the Superdome had had food and water, from what I'm hearing on the news.... His implication was not only did they have food and water, but that it was adequate food and water.

The network guys must have that stuff on tape and I hope that when the crisis is over and someone investigates the handling of the evacuation that the tapes are subpoenaed.

[simplykristi]

Mike Brown is an idiot, IMO. He does not know how to coordinate anything for this major disaster. I saw a piece from Martin Savage on MSNBC that made me cry. Our government has failed the people left in NO, IMO.

Kristi

[RichG]

The truth is that the people had mres and water. It ain't good NO gumbo but you will survive. I just saw interview tonight with people from Superdome they said the food was cold but they had plenty of food and water. Mre are designed to eat at room temp. So before anybody calls anybody liars get your facts.

[simplykristi]

According to Martin Savage on MSNBC, it was NOT enough. I hope the military comes in and takes over operations tomorrow.

Kristi

[RichG]

The is the price for the the complete lack of planning by state and local offials. I am angry also because proper planning would gone a long way right now.

[RichG]

By the way the food and water was the responsibilty of state and local goverment.

[Mattie]

One interesting point though - the last person that was part of the planning when hurricane Betsy came ahsore and immediately afterward would be at LEAST 60 years old by now and probably retired. The information knowledge bank is gone because the people that are now there had NO CLUE!!! I was only 7 years old then and you have to think that the people that were in "power" at the time were at least in their 30s and 40s or older.

[NC George]

The truth is that the people had mres and water. It ain't good NO gumbo but you will survive. I just saw interview tonight with people from Superdome they said the food was cold but they had plenty of food and water. Mre are designed to eat at room temp. So before anybody calls anybody liars get your facts.

We are not discussing the Superdome, we are discussing the Convention Center, where apparently they have been without fod or water for the past 4 days watching all the aid go to the Superdome.

[RichG]

I was responding to Persepone's comment above when he said that Chertoff lied about food in the "SUPERDOME". I am quite aware what we are talking about but thanks for the help.

[MBismyPlayground]

The truth is that the people had mres and water. It ain't good NO gumbo but you will survive. I just saw interview tonight with people from Superdome they said the food was cold but they had plenty of food and water. Mre are designed to eat at room temp. So before anybody calls anybody liars get your facts.

Many of these people have said that they have not seen food there today. If there was such an abundance of food then why did they have to drop in more water and MRE's???

And those people, many elderly, at the convention center have not eaten in 2 or 3 days and no water at all.
And let us not forget the survivors in out lying areas of both LA and MS, or those at hospitals, where they have ran out of supplies, food, water, generator power, and maybe even confidence in these trying times.
It seriously does not take much to heavy drop Boxed MRE's and water.
It takes aprox 30 mins to load one pallet with MRE's and Water for heavy drop. It is aprox 1 1/2-2 1/2 hours to get to LA from Ft. Bragg NC. via a C130.
(getting this info from hubbie, retired 82nd ABN Jumpmaster/LoadMaster, checking my facts here and all)
There are boots on the ground there that can recieve and distribute this close to these survivors. At least food and water would calm some of the tempers.