The Fed, state and local gov had planned and drilled for the evacuation since the mid-1990's. It was voluntary throughout the presumed landfall area on Wedn. Recall that the area extened from Appalachicola FL to TX. On Thurs it was reduced to Central LA coast to Appalachicola. At that time the mayor of NOLA told NOLA that should make arrangements to evacuate.

On Friday the mayor indicted he would order mandatry evac on Saturday. Local, state and fed agencies began formal cooperation in planning for the staging of relief efforts. On Fri eveing teh gov ordered evac of lower Plaquimenes and St Bernard Parish. Those folks must get through NOLA to get to safety. NO alternate route.

On Sat morning the mayor indicated he would order mandatory evac that afternoon unless the storm's predicted path changed dramatically. It didn't and he did.

On Sunday morning the governor ordered mandatory evac in all parishes bordering the MS river and the Fl parishes. Shortly thereafter, Bush declared a state of emergency. These two official actions were required before certain actions could be put into motion for organizing the management for the storm. This includes logistics and financing. In gov, if there is no logistical planning and no financing, there is no activity. It is required BY LAW that the governor make teh request before the exec can act, else it is considered usurpation of state perogative--a no-no in a federal gov.

On Sunday evening the president declared a state of disaster for certain designated parishes and counties along the Gulf. This put the response apparatus in motion. It was done BEFORE a disaster occured. This violated protocol, but at this point, I haven't seen a single complaint. At that order, FEMA activated plans and began moving personnel and materiale into preplanned positions.

As soon as it was safe to fly, state police and other state agencies flew damage assessment missions. The fed authorized shifting of defense and intelligence gathering assets to FEMA for appropriate evaluation. From these initial, 'quick assessment' surveys, a skeletal plan was laid-out. At that time everybody scientists to gardener) thought the worst had passed.

We were wrong and the consequences are horrible.

Bot