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Rich on the Road

by RichardRay from Dallas, TX

Last Post 3 days, 21 hours Ago


The Death of New Orleans - As We Know It
Aug 31, 2008 | 4:12 PM
Category: News
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Three years ago, almost to the day, on a Sunday night I anchored a newscast that was dominated by news of a huge hurricane bearing down on New Orleans.  Ron Jackson and I stood in front of a large monitor with the swirling monster edging closer and closer to what many predicted would be a disastrous landfall. 

The next morning Hurricane Katrina came ashore.  At first, it seemed, the city had escaped a direct hit.  But, then, the levees started to break and... well, we all know the rest of that story.

New Orleans After the Levees Broke

Tonight we will do it again with Gustav.  An even wider and, potentially, more disastrous storm is almost certain to hit somewhere very near New Orleans on Monday.  It is eery.  And, troubling.  No one seems to think New Orleans and its levy system is all that much better than it was.  Thankfully, the evacuation seems to be more complete and, certainly, more orderly this time around.

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal is telling his people that the flooding this time could be worse than with Katrina.  New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin is calling it "the storm of the century."

Man, I hope they are wrong.

But, whatever happens, it further convinces me that New Orleans, as we've known it, is gone.  Much like, a 108 years ago, Galveston disappeared.  Galveston was then the biggest city on the Gulf Coast, much bigger than Houston.  But the hurricane that wiped it out in 1900 changed the city's destiny.   Houston, further inland, became the dominant city in southeast Texas.  Just as Baton Rouge will now replace New Orleans.  The Crescent City will remain; as a tourist destination certainly, but it won't be the same vibrant, growing place.  Katrina and Gustav will see to that. 

Rich

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Member Comments Total Comments: 44
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chardoney read my blog view my photos
Aug 31, 2008 | 5:03 PM

New Orleans has been a sinking sewer for decades. It would seem the wise thing, the smart thing to do is NOT live under sea level. How many millions of dollars is going to continue to be flushed down that sink hole. Let the ocean have what it wants... then the glass bottom boat people will have a job.
ProudAmerican read my blog view my photos
Aug 31, 2008 | 5:05 PM

What company started up after the hurricane in Galveston, who started it and why?
ProudAmerican read my blog view my photos
Aug 31, 2008 | 5:06 PM

They can just move Mardi Gras here. I've always wanted to see it.
cbfan read my blog
Aug 31, 2008 | 5:11 PM

New Orleans is one of those cities that truly have its own personality. Its sad to sit by and watch it disappear.
Dallas47_Rucks read my blog
Aug 31, 2008 | 5:22 PM

You got that right PA. I remember when we went to Mardi Gras before we had the kids. It wasnt a sewer like now, but those were some good times.

Ever been?
NORTHTX read my blog view my photos
Aug 31, 2008 | 5:27 PM

Been there done that, once was enough.
ProudAmerican read my blog view my photos
Aug 31, 2008 | 5:35 PM

No.
NativeTX read my blog
Aug 31, 2008 | 5:43 PM

Nor'Leans is always on a list of historical places. That is what saddens me. The money that town has wasted could have bolstered the levies and posibly prevented disaster the first time.
Dallas47_Rucks read my blog
Aug 31, 2008 | 5:46 PM

That's called democratic corruption all those years, TX! I even think ole BJ Clinton has some stake in some way.

All we can do now is...
TexasTruBlu read my blog view my photos
Aug 31, 2008 | 6:31 PM

Much of the inner city where the Ninth Ward and other low income housing was built is on what was marshland. If you think of the soil underneath NOLA as a sponge, it was designed by God to absorb the huge amount of rain NOLA receives as a matter of course. Add a hurricane to that, without anyplace for the water to soak in or run off, and you end up with a disaster like Katrina. You can look it up online, these very issues were mentioned in 1965 when the French Quarter flooded during Hurricane Betsy. The problem now is that the population is more densely packed into the inner city area and pump stations, which were outdated in the 1960's are expected to do ten times the work they were then. Sadly, the answer is that NOLA needs to grow smaller. There are simply some areas that should NOT be rebuilt, which is hard for people who have lived their lives in one place. The antiquated parish system of governing has led to some very localized and specific corruption. It's not a big secret that up until Katrina, NOLA was a hotbed for all kinds of organized crime. Heck, when I was a kid, the guy around the corner who gave out the best Halloween treats was later the subject of a gang hit. That's not to say that this is divinely wrought retribution, but there have been some very poor decisions made to support tourism over safety in NOLA and now those chickens are coming home to roost. But it is sad.
TexasTruBlu read my blog view my photos
Aug 31, 2008 | 6:33 PM

BTW, if you want to see an old fashioned Mardi Gras, try going to Alexandria or Thibideaux. They used to have boat parades and horse drawn floats.
scottythecomic read my blog view my photos
Aug 31, 2008 | 7:29 PM

Rich, I couldn't agree more. Goodbye, New Orleans.
ProudAmerican read my blog view my photos
Aug 31, 2008 | 7:46 PM

OK Rich I tried to do what I said I wouldn't do again. Volunteer to help.

I went to the web site that is listed and it just sends you in circles. So I called the phone number listed and got a recording saying to call 1-866-797-8268 if you are wanting to volunteer with the evacuation. Would you believe you get a recording telling you they are CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAY? Unbelievable!
I found another email within all that mess and emailed them about this.

I want to know if they informed these people evacuating that they are closed for the holiday try back Tuesday?
ProudAmerican read my blog view my photos
Aug 31, 2008 | 7:48 PM

WAY TO GO RED CROSS!! Yup you're always there when disaster strikes. Unless it's a HOLIDAY!
ProudAmerican read my blog view my photos
Aug 31, 2008 | 7:51 PM

Incase you are wondering why I changed my mind.

#1 I got to thinking about how scared I would be if I were in their shoes. (Even though some are a bunch of ingrates)

#2 God would not be very happy with me if I didn't help those with less.

#3 The guilt factor would set in.
RichardRay read my blog view my photos
Aug 31, 2008 | 7:53 PM

PA
I am sorry to hear that.
Just as a matter of personal preference I have always been partial to the Salvation Army. For a lot of reasons. Whenever I covered disasters (and I've covered a lot of them) you could always count on the Salvation Army to be there and to be helping people.
I will also alert people here that the web site sent you in circles.
Sorry. Don't give up on volunteering. Service is good for all of us.
Rich
RichardRay read my blog view my photos
Aug 31, 2008 | 7:56 PM

PA
Just read your last comment. It is hard to help sometimes -- it can be frustrating. But, service to others in Christ's name is abundantly rewarding in and of itself. Even when those being served don't always appreciate it.
God Bless you!
Rich
ProudAmerican read my blog view my photos
Aug 31, 2008 | 7:57 PM

I would rather volunteer serving meals with the salvation army but I can't find anything except that website and the only thing mentioning the SA is to donate money for food.

I am all to familiar with the help the SA gives people and they don't ask for a thing in return. I always donate money and goods to them because of that fact.

The Red Cross I see is still messed up!
RichardRay read my blog view my photos
Aug 31, 2008 | 8:00 PM

PA
I can't say enough about the Salvation Army. And, "they don't ask for a thing in return."
My experience, too.
Rich
ProudAmerican read my blog view my photos
Aug 31, 2008 | 8:08 PM

And they serve good coco too. lol
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RichardRay

RICH ON THE ROAD I am blessed with a truly remarkable job that for decades now has permitted me to see corners of the world, far and near. When I'm not on the road for Fox4 News in Dallas/Fort Worth, I'm often traveling with my wife Catherine -- occasionally on mission trips in Africa or Latin America with our home church (Prince of Peace Lutheran in Carrollton). My contribution to this page began largely as a Travel-blog -- sharing current and many of my past experiences in traveling America and the globe. I'm tryng, as we go along, to wade into a wider range of topics without getting in too much trouble. Richard Ray

Member Since: 5/29/2006


 

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