Ed Reams, WDSU Channel 6, New Orleans, talking to Aaron Brown on CNN (I typed while he talked — he was very good.): The pumps in one area can’t handle the water anymore and won’t work. Another levee is about to break because the Army helicopter that was supposed to bring sand bags never showed up…. it was diverted to search & rescue.
Superdome is being handled by 200 National Guard members but there are more and more people streaming in, over 10,000 now. Conditions deteriorating. No sewer, no running water. Superdome was a “special needs” shelter — people on dialysis, ventilators — they should be in special care centers, not a dome where “there’s chaos inside.” It “will be hard” to evacuate that many people.
Authorities are overwhelmed. Communications are out. Cell phones can’t be used. Radio towers non-functional. Police can’t communicate. TV station lost transmitter; station management felt the TV station’s employees’ lives were in danger. Police have been up for days, have no access to food and water, and are overwhelmed.
He saw caravan of Nat’l Guard, utility trucks, but if they get in place anytime soon remains to be seen.
Update [2005-8-30 23:30:3 by susanhu]: The Mayor of New Orleans told Aaron Brown that the people at the Superdome will be there at least another week, then will be moved (although where, they’re not sure — perhaps another parish).
Update [2005-8-30 23:40:57 by susanhu]: DIGNITY and PRIORITIZATION. Concepts that Fox and Rita Cosby and her ilk might consider. I was so furious after listening to an MSNBC bubble-head anchor repeatedly quiz some official about the looting, that I fired off e-mails to MSNBC — news@msnbc.com and editor@msnbc.com. IN CONTRAST, Aaron Brown has not concentrated on the looting angle. I hope you’ll write MSNBC too. CNN as well, if they’ve been guilty. FOX is a lost cause.
QUESTION: Where will the refugee camps be built to house these people for up to a year, or more?
