Here, at www.SustainabiliTank.info, We regarded the Gulf Coast area as part of KatRitaStan or Katritastan. This was the area defined by KatRita which was the sum-total of damaged area by the two consecutive hurricanes, Katrina and Rita. The third hurricane in that series was Stan who devastated mainly the Central America istmus. We just could not resist combining the names of these hurricanes because of the sound of the “…stan” ending. Our argument was that this area, right here in America, was no better of then the many “…stans” we know in Asia, were much of the misery comes from the intrusion of oil-addicted foreigners upon an indigenous population that wishes to be left alone. Take for instance Afghanistan.

The pictures we saw of black people on the roofs of their houses in the US Gulf Coast area, with signs - “DO NOT FORGET US”…”HELP ME” etc. just smelled of “…stan.” You can find our articles on the SustainabiliTank.info website by going to the search button. (see “Katritastan” of October 9, 2006).

Katritastan is a social US phenomenon, but the damage inflicted by the dependence on oil is global because of the GreenHouse Gasses effect. Poor in many places of the world are paying the price of our indulgence in petrolem use. If this one year memorial to Katrina does not open our eyes - what will?

Today is exactly one year since Katrina hit the coast. One likes to take stock and we picked here the Environment News Service reporting on the subject. Watching how little was done to rehabilitate New Orleans.

From  news at ens-news.com: NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana, August 29, 2006 (ENS) - One year ago today Hurricane Katrina ripped across Louisiana and Mississippi, killing at least 55 people immediately and forcing 750,000 families to flee their homes. The storm surge of up to 16 feet breached levees surrounding the city of New Orleans, allowing water from Lake Ponchartrain to flood nearly 80 percent of the city.

Katrina was the costliest and one of the five deadliest hurricanes to ever strike the United States.

The total number of fatalities directly related to the forces of Katrina is estimated to be about 1,500 spread across four states, with about 1,300 of these in Louisiana, about 200 in Mississippi, six in Florida, and one in Georgia.

“Especially for Louisiana and Mississippi, the number of direct fatalities is highly uncertain and the true number will probably not ever be known,” according to a report by the three scientists from the National Hurricane Center updated August 10, 2006.

About 80 percent of New Orleans was flooded when levees broke in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Fires broke out as gas lines ruptured. September 2, 2005.

The storm surge of Katrina struck the Mississippi coastline with such ferocity that entire coastal communities were obliterated, some left with little more than the foundations upon which homes, businesses, government facilities, and historical buildings once stood.
Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco recalls in an open letter how she felt during those terrible days and weeks. “Hurricane Katrina - and not quite a month later, Rita - still conjure powerful memories of the best and worst blows that life can possibly deliver amidst the greatest natural disaster in United States history. For us, this was not one single shocking moment, but relentless assault - hour after hour, day after day, and week after week - of terrible and transforming energy.”

Governor Blanco thanked state employees today for the “countless ways” they served during the disaster, even when they were not receiving wages. “I know many of you left your own homes and families to do work that you were not paid to do because of your desire to make a difference. At the end of a regular workday, you volunteered to help evacuees. Some of you worked despite your own desperate circumstances,” the governor wrote.

President George W. Bush visited a New Orleans high school today to tell the city and the country he takes responsibility for the inadequate response of the federal government to the disaster.

Speaking at the oldest public school in New Orleans, Warren Easton Senior High, Bush said, “The hurricane brought terrible scenes that we never thought we would see in America - citizens drowned in their attics; desperate mothers crying out on national TV for food and water; a breakdown of law and order; and a government at all levels that fell short of its responsibilities.”

President George W. Bush addresses students, faculty and guests at Warren Easton Senior High School as the Gulf Coast region marked the one year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

“When the rain stopped and this wounded city was laid bare, our television screens showed faces worn down by poverty and despair,” the President said. “For most of you, the storms were only the beginning of your difficulties. Katrina exposed the big things that need repairing; yet its most devastating impact has been on the rhythms of everyday life.”
“Some of you still don’t know whether you have a neighborhood to come back to. Others of you who made the decision to return are living in trailers. Many are separated from their loved ones, and simply long just go to church on a Sunday afternoon with somebody you care about. Many of you find yourself without jobs, and struggling to make do without the convenience of a supermarket nearby. Many fear for your safety because of violent criminals. The challenge is not only to help rebuild, but the challenge is to help restore the soul,” said Bush.

“I take full responsibility for the federal government’s response, and a year ago I made a pledge that we will learn the lessons of Katrina and that we will do what it takes to help you recover. I’ve come back to New Orleans to tell you the words that I spoke on Jackson Square are just as true today as they were then,” the President said.

While the federal government has committed $110 billion to hurricane recovery, far more is needed, according to Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu, a Democrat. Delivering the Democratic National Radio Address on Saturday, she faulted the Bush administration for much of the devastation wrought by the hurricane.

“FEMA, for example, is but a shell of what it once was only six years ago: stripped of authority and denied resources, it is often unresponsive, inept and badly managed,” Landrieu said. “Even the Corps of Engineers has failed us. Much of the destruction from Katrina was the direct result of flawed, inadequate levees.”

“Before Katrina and Rita, many of us questioned the White House decision to cut funding for levees and flood control. We were told the money was needed instead for the President’s priorities – which included homeland security. But what is homeland security without hometown safety?” the senator asked.

“A new national commitment to preparedness and protection starts with a major reinvestment in our nation’s infrastructure. Levees, flood control, navigation, evacuation routes are all essential to our security and our economy,” Landrieu said. “Protecting wetlands and restoring our vanishing coastline are necessary to securing our communities and energy production platforms from storm surges.”

Evacuees and hospital patients arrive at New Orleans airport. They were flown to other states as New Orleans was evacuated as a result of flooding caused by Hurricane Katrina. September 1, 2005.

FEMA Director David Paulison said, “Hurricane Katrina was the most catastrophic natural disaster in our nation’s history and the lives lost will not be in vain as FEMA works to learn from the lessons of this unprecedented storm. This disaster has changed the face of the entire emergency management community, from the international and federal levels to state and local levels.”
A cutting-edge Global Position System (GPS) tracking system is in place in the hurricane prone regions of the South and Southwest. The system will track the shipment of relief supplies in more than 20,000 supply trucks in much the same way that private sector companies track their goods.

GPS satellites transmit signals to a receiver on the vehicle giving its location as it moves to staging areas and distribution sites.

The availability of emergency meals and ice has increased four-fold, and more drinking water is ready this year than was stockpiled in staging areas prior to Hurricane Katrina, FEMA says.

Today, there also are 770 trucks with Meals Ready-To-Eat, 1,540 trucks with water, and 2,030 trucks with ice in stock available to respond immediately to a hurricane. The supplies have the capacity to sustain one million people for a period of one week.

Before Katrina, only 180 trucks with meals, 600 trucks with water, and 430 trucks with ice were in stock.

Gasoline supplies and the means to provide it to evacuees and victims were a serious dilemma in the aftermath of Katrina. Two oil companies are stockpiling generators in response to a request by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for backup power at gasoline stations in hurricane prone regions.

Exxon Mobil Corp. is storing 100 portable generators, and the company has wired 200 gasoline stations near evacuation routes, hospitals and other emergency response facilities along the Florida and the Gulf Coast so they can use generators. Chevron Corp also has stowed 100 generators and wired 52 Chevron and Texaco stations in the region.

Complaints have been leveled at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for lack of flood protection for New Orleans, and at the federal government for underfunding this part of the Corps’ work.

Last week, the Corps signed agreements with two parishes that will accelerate construction for hurricane protection because the federal government is paying the entire bill.

“This is for construction planned before Katrina, when costs were shared 70 percent federal and 30 percent non-federal. Post-Katrina, the Congress has provided the money to accelerate the work, and do it all at federal expense,” said Al Naomi, a Corps senior project manager.

Stranded residents in Jefferson Parish are brought to an elevated bridge area by boat to await transportation by truck to the main staging area at I-10 and Causeway. The city of New Orleans was evacuated following hurricane Katrina and rising flood waters.

To put the Congress’s wishes into effect, the project cooperation agreement was signed Wednesday by the Corps of Engineers and the Pontchartrain Levee District for $39 million of levee and floodwall construction in east St. Charles Parish. The agreement and another with Jefferson Parish officials are the first to take advantage of the federal government paying 100 percent of the costs. Levee elevations will be increased by two to three feet along the 11 miles from Jefferson Parish to the Bonnet Carré Spillway’s east protection levee.

In addition, floodwall will be further developed to make it stronger, taller and more resilient beneath the elevated Interstate 310 and Airline Highway interchange. The levee and floodwall are designed to protect against hurricane storm surge from Lake Pontchartrain.

In New Orleans, Governor Blanco said today, about 50 percent of the population has returned. Schools there will soon open to some 28,000 students. All area colleges are operating during this fall semester.

The tourist business, once the city’s mainstay, is recovering. Over 85 percent of New Orleans hotel rooms are open, the governor said. Daily, 111 flights leave the city’s international airport to 33 destinations. Conventions are returning - 70 percent of those booked in 2007 have been retained; 90 percent are confirmed for 2008. Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest attracted over 700,000 visitors.

But whole neighborhoods still are devastated and thousands of people are struggling to find shelter. Some are getting arrested in their struggle to reclaim their homes.

Monday afternoon, Gregory “DJ” Christy, a resident of the Lafitte housing development in New Orleans, joined by more than 70 supporters, entered his apartment with the intention of reoccupying it for the first time since August 2005. Nine of Christy’s supporters were arrested in the attempt to reopen public housing. All nine have been bailed out of the Orleans Parish Prison.

Christy, himself, was not arrested. After the arrests police sealed off the area and ordered everyone off of the Lafitte property.

Christy’s apartment was opened by a group of activists including C3/Hands Off Iberville, the United Front for Affordable Housing, and other community activists. Legal observers from the Common Ground Collective were onsite to monitor the police response. They said that this will not be the last action to reopen the Lafitte.

Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2006. All Rights Reserved.