Saving the stranded
Times-Picayune, The (New Orleans, LA)
July 9, 2005
Estimated printed pages: 1
A plan to move people out of New Orleans on Regional Transit Authority buses may not be tested by Hurricane Dennis, since as of late Friday no evacuations have been ordered in preparation for the storm.
But if the plan were implemented -- and implemented perfectly -- it would fall short of the need. At best, the RTA fleet can only move 22,000 people out of harm's way, but 134,000 people in New Orleans lack personal transportation, according to a University of New Orleans study.
City officials assume that people will seek rides from friends and family first. But the gap that needs to be filled is large, and emergency planners had hoped that churches would help by using their vans and buses to evacuate members of their congregations who don't have cars. Unfortunately, though, Operation Brother's Keeper has not caught on.
Kay Wilkins, a spokeswoman for the American Red Cross, said the idea has languished because of the complex details involved in such an operation.
But given the enormity of the need, the logistics seem like a burden that is worth shouldering. Churches and nonprofits that have the resources ought to consider playing such a role in the future.
http://www.nola.com
Kay Wilkins, a spokeswoman for the American Red Cross, said the idea has languished because of the complex details involved in such an operation.
So that is when the "It will turn" plan kicked in???