(no subject)

Apologies in advance if this comes across cranky, the cold is still in full force and I should be up in Seattle getting ready to go camping. Instead I'm at home in CA, blowing my nose and trying to get my ears unstick.

I don't usually post commentary on other's blog entries, but this really struck a cord with me. Varifrank is a blog I read regularly. I don't alway agree with everything he says, but he makes a lot of good points in this entry. For instance, did you know that Katrina devastaed an area the size of Great Britain? I didn't. Varifrank compares the storm to an atomic bomb in
Anarchy begins at home

Also, for all of you wondering why the Federal Government didn't step in earlier and do more, remember, disaster response starts and the local and state level, the locals drive the show, they know the area, its part of the whole thing called "federalism" where the locals govern themselves and the disaster plans start at the local level. The Feds are doing things to help, but they can only go in after the local governments ask them to.

For a little more perspective read another blog entry 100 hours after stormfall

Basically, this is just a plea to those on my friends list... Please stop the after storm quarterbacking! If you want to make the life and death disaster planning decisions that you are criticizing right now, go into public service and YOU can make these plans, and understand the cost/benefit rish analysis that goes into figuring out what to spend money on versus what not to.

If you want to do something, here's a large list of charities and groups who are helping in the area, remember there's more than just the Red Cross, http://instapundit.com/archives/025235.php

and, here's an article on opening your home to host an family for a stay. http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9153514/

The Red Cross is taking volunteers, others are too. If you want to do something more than give money, pick up the phone and call, give or go. But please, stop the griping.

Civil Engingeering article

From CIVIL ENGINEERING MAGAZINE, June 2003, The Creeping Storm

An interesting article about the history of the levees around New Orleans, the Army Corps of Engineers, and hurricain planning.

Quote:
According to Naomi, any concerted effort to protect the city from a storm of category 4 or 5 will probably take 30 years to complete. And the feasibility study alone for such an effort will cost as much as $8 million. Even though Congress has authorized the feasibility study, funding has not yet been appropriated. When funds are made available, the study will take about six years to complete. “That’s a lot of time to get the study before Congress,” Naomi admits. “Hopefully we won’t have a major storm before then.”


Its a good article, not too geeky

(no subject)

Another good article on the New Orleans situation, from 2001.

Scientific American: Drowning New Orleans [ CIVIL ENGINEERING ]
A major hurricane could swamp New Orleans under 20 feet of water, killing thousands. Human activities along the Mississippi River have dramatically increased the risk, and now only massive reengineering of southeastern Louisiana can save the city