What would you do to survive if a disaster struck your area?
Looting in the USA!
Who would have thought, just a week or two ago, that we would have seen looting and lawlessness in as civilized a city as New Orleans or in as civilized a country as the United States? And yet, we should not be surprised.
What we call "civilization" is only a very thin veneer, and it is utterly dependent on the whole system keeping working, including supplies. In New Orleans, the system let them down - supplies of electricity, water, sewage disposal and food broke down. It then became every person, family or gang for themselves, as food, water and clothing became necessities that could only be acquired by looting - people taking what they could find.
But is that so unnatural, or wrong? Every single one of us must have had hunter gatherers in our past. They went out and used their weapons to kill animals for the pot, or gathered whatever fruits and nuts and carrion they could find. They mostly took care not to take too much or to interfere with others' hunting, though. It is only wrong now because every which way they turn, there is somebody claiming that the necessities belong to them - whether or not they really need them. In a country with guns so easily available, the results are as inevitable as they are tragic. A small percentage of people have always taken what they wanted - these days they are corporate raiders, pension fund raiders, conmen and thieves, for example, and it is this type who is looting in New Orleans for profit rather than foraging for their immediate needs.
Similarly, every one of us has farmers in their ancestry. You'd think that the farmers, tending to the soil, would have lost out to the hunter gatherers with their bows and arrows. And yet, it did not happen. Farmers were able to produce much more food and therefore raise far more children, and overwhelm the hunter gatherers. And in the past, they had the armed protection of the lords of the manor in return for labour and/or tithings of food.
Even now, we are tithing our labour to our lords - the very wealthy. We do so in different castes - some are so poor that they are terrified of losing their jobs and are little better than slaves. Others, more highly skilled, have considerably greater freedoms and rewards, but are still dependent on the system. The actual farming we have outsourced to machines in our own countries or to labourers in other countries. We apply our farming patience to office and factory work now, making and selling things that people don't want or need until we use advertising to persuade them.
Many of those in Louisiana and Mississippi and Alabama knew that Katrina was coming, they just didn't realise that it would be so bad. Perhaps if they understood the science of hurricanes, and just how warm the Gulf of Mexico waters were at the time, they might have been more concerned, and moved out of the way. Maybe if their jobs had not been so poorly paid, they could have afforded to own vehicles and been able to drive themselves out of New Orleans.
Many scientists are warning us that global warming is approaching and will be big and bad. Perhaps if more of our leaders understood science, they might be more concerned, and take steps to reduce or end our contribution to it. Maybe if more of us understood the science, we would take our own individual steps and persuade our politicians and communities to take steps too. Maybe if we could each afford enough land, we could grow our own fruit and vegetables and be able to feed ourselves if the system broke down, and afford solar panels so we could keep food and medicines cool if we escaped the worst of any disaster.
The World Health Organization is warning that we could soon be in for a major flu epidemic, and that tens of millions of people could die. Maybe if more of our leaders understood science, they would be taking more precautions, and stockpiling enough vaccines and treatments to save more of the population, and not just a select few.
The people of New Orleans knew they lived in an area at risk of major flooding, but either they could not afford to move out, or their families were there, or they believed it could not happen to them. Where are those families now? Similarly, the people of San Francisco know that the big earthquake could hit at any time, and many people living near the sea know that a big tsunami could hit. Maybe now is a good time for whole families to get together and decide whether now would be a good time to start moving to somewhere safer.
Then there are the terrorists, who have shown themselves able and willing to strike all around the world, even if some of them have been attracted by the fighting in Iraq. This means that places that are not prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes are now vulnerable to other kinds of attacks. Up to a point, these places are predictable, because of the kind of impact that terrorists want to achieve, for example major cities or facilities or national icons. Natural diseases that spread from human to human tend to strike where people are concentrated, too.
New Orleans has shown us just how dependent we have become on the system which is run by a mixture of politicians and big business, in the main. Whilst some services will be gradually restored to other parts hit by hurricane Katrina, New Orleans will have to wait months for the levees to be rebuilt, the water pumped out, the toxic and dangerous debris cleared away and the infrastructure restored. Rebuilding will take a lot longer.
But did it have to be this way? The news wires are full of suggestions of what could have been done by the city or the government, and a lot of it would appear to be justified. But there are a lot of things that could have been done by individuals too, even though some of them would have been beyond the means or the power of many. Some could have stockpiled essentials who didn't, or stockpiled more. Some could have left who didn't. Some could have worked out how high the waters could come if the levees broke, and made sure that their houses were considerably higher than that with easy access to the attic, where essentials would be stored. Some could have had non-mains electric ways of keeping their insulin or other medicines cool. Some could have had guns to protect the stockpiles they had. Some could have bought clockwork radios, so that they could listen to advice and information. Some could have bought far more fuel efficient vehicles, so that they could have got much further away before having to abandon their vehicles, and maybe it would not have mattered so much that so many oil rigs, refineries and pipelines were closed down.
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A week or two ago, the people of New Orleans had the same cares as the rest of us: getting that promotion at work, perhaps, or buying those new shoes, or getting home in time to watch that TV programme. How many of those things matter a jot to them now? Perhaps now is a good time to think about what is important to us, how to get it, and how to keep it. It is time to decide when to rely on ourselves, or our communities, and when to rely on large corporations such as our electricity suppliers, and when to rely on our government. Is the modern centralised, consumerist, gas-guzzling society really what we want? Or have we allowed ourselves to be brainwashed into thinking that more is better, and never mind what we have to do to get it, or our environment?
Who would have thought, just a week or two ago, that we would have seen looting and lawlessness in as civilized a city as New Orleans or in as civilized a country as the United States? And yet that is what our current system of priorities and policies has brought us to.
Here's the part of FEMA's National Situation Update for Monday, September 6, 2005 relating to hurricane Katrina:
A week after Hurricane Katrina struck city of New Orleans, the US Army Corps of Engineers plugged the levee break that swamped much of the city and floodwaters began to recede, but drainage will take nearly three months in some neighborhoods, according to an Army spokesperson.
Sheets of metal and repeated helicopter drops of 3,000-pound sandbags along the 17th Street canal leading to Lake Pontchartrain succeeded Monday in plugging a 200-foot-wide gap, which opened at the height of the hurricane and flooded 80 percent of the city up to 20 feet deep. The water was being pumped from the canal back into the lake. State officials and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers say once the canal level is drawn down two feet, Pumping Station 6 can begin pumping water out of the bowl-shaped city.
Some parts of the city already showed slipping floodwaters as the repair neared completion, with the low-lying Ninth Ward dropping more than a foot. In downtown New Orleans, some streets were merely wet rather than swamped.
The news came as many of the 460,000 residents of suburban Jefferson Parish waited in a line of cars that stretched for miles to briefly see their flooded homes, and to scoop up soaked wedding pictures, baby shoes and other cherished mementoes.
Since many New Orleans streets are still filled with stagnant, fetid waters smelling of garbage and raw sewage, the military was considering using planes to spray for mosquitoes. Standing water could become a breeding ground for the mosquitoes, which could lead to a widespread outbreak of diseases such as the West Nile virus. (Media sources)
Hurricane Katrina stories
Hurricane Katrina: Major Developments
Asian Countries Offer U.S. Hurricane Aid
Even poor countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh and tsunami-hit Thailand have offered to help the USA.
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Gov't Says Fix Lives Now, Blame Later, Bush, Congress to Investigate Response, Bush, Congress Each Pledge Investigations, Hurricane fallout hurts Bush, could hurt Republicans, First Responders Warned Feds on Training, Officials Say Red Tape Hindered Relief, Bush, Clinton Announce Katrina Relief Fund, New Orleans floods recede, political fight heats up, EU cites snags in getting Katrina aid to victims, Katrina death toll may be 10,000 as Bush vows help
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice have said that now was not the time to assign blame, but to fix the damage. Both President Bush and Congress have said that they will hold investigations into the federal response to Hurricane Katrina. The slow response to the disaster will add to high gasoline prices and disenchantment with the war to depress his approval rating.
First responders had expressed their concern that their training has been too heavily weighted towards terrorist incidents rather than natural disasters since the Federal Emergency Management Agency was made subordinate to the Homeland Security Department in March 2003. Last July 31 out of 39 responder departments told the Congress' Government Accountability Office so.
Hundreds of would-be rescuers from around the USA got bogged down short of their goal of helping in Louisiana, Mississippi or Alabama because of red tape. The EU says that transport and other logistics problems are delaying some aid.
Former Presidents Bush and Clinton were well received in Houston for their fundraising efforts, but it was Barbara Bush's comments that attracted attention. She told the American Public Media program "Marketplace", "What I'm hearing, which is sort of scary, is they all want to stay in Texas. Everyone is so overwhelmed by the hospitality, and so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this is working very well for them."
Health workers say they were ready for Katrina
Federal health workers sent to Louisiana in advance of Hurricane Katrina say that they were prepared. None were sent into New Orleans, but they have been kept extremely busy.
Gov't accepts bids for emergency oil sale
Refineries affected by Hurricane Katrina can submit bids until Friday afternoon for crude oil the government is offering for sale from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). 30 million barrels are being made available for delivery from October 1. There are currently 700 million barrels in the SPR with a target of 1 billion barrels of crude oil eventually.
Water Receding, but New Orleans Anxious, New Orleans Wary of What's Beneath Water, New Orleans' Newest Jail Open for Business, Army to Launch New Katrina Search Effort, New Orleans Police Stunned by Suicides, Many Victims May Never Be Identified, In New Orleans, human spirit overcomes horror, New Orleans turning tide on Katrina floodwaters, Current Katrina Quotations, Many Still Refuse to Leave New Orleans, New Orleans police break out of their 'Fort Apache', New Orleans Police Chief Defends Officers, Major gap closed in New Orleans levee
A major break in a levee has been filled, a few pumps have begun pumping out water gradually, not wanting to create a new breach, and the amount of New Orleans underwater has fallen from 80% to 60%. The toxic muck left behind as the water recedes and the bodies are likely to be gruesome. Some victims may never be identified. The Pentagon has now begun to send paratroopers with inflatable craft to renew the search and rescue operation. About a million dollars' worth of gas is escaping into the air, starting more fires. All these things plus mosquitoes make it unsafe to stay but some still do not want to leave.
There was frustration with the federal response all along the coast.
Crime did not stop after the hurricane. Existing prisoners were sent to a temporary holding facility at New Orleans' train and bus terminal. New prisoners were taken. Anyone looting anything worth over $300, such as drugs or TVs, was considered a felon. There were no women. Only one prisoner had been charged under federal law, after a shootout with police on Sunday. New Orleans Police had been trapped between gunmen and floodwaters at the 1st District station near the French Quarter and the nicknamed it "Fort Apache". They had to loot for shoes, dry socks and food. New Orleans Police Superintendent Eddie Compass said that his officers had no food, water or ammunition after Katrina.
One of two known police suicides was Sgt. Paul Accardo, one of the police department's chief spokesmen, a perfectionist who had become depressed by the chaos.
There have been many acts of kindness in the wake of hurricane Katrina, such as people taking others in, and people handing out free food.
Katrina: Smuggling Pets Out
People are using all sorts of tricks to smuggle their pets out of New Orleans, since pets are not supposed to be allowed on the transport out.
Residents Survive With Stone Age Skills, Three Gulf Coast Utilities Report Progress, Nearly a million in US still without power due to Katrina, Life After Katrina Means Waiting in Line, Military dumps "sand bombs" to lift New Orleans, In Miss., Some Want Out, Others to Rebuild, Utilities Making Progress Restoring Power, Half of Damaged Refineries Near Restarting
Aaron Broussard, president of Jefferson Parish, said "Say goodbye to the Jetsons, we're back to the Flintstones." Shopping carts are useful. Hunting and gathering are common. There are no lights at night. People make do. Boats are taken to rescue people, and cars to get them out. People share and help and guard each other.
More than 800,000 customers were still without power a week after the hurricane but progress has been made and many homes reconnected. It could be months before power to areas currently underwater is restored.
Full power has been restored to the Colonial Pipeline, which supplies gasoline, diesel and jet fuel to the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. The Louisiana Offshore Oil Port (LOOP) is operating at almost full capacity. The Capline, which serves the Midwest, is running at over 80% of capacity. Nearly 70% of oil and 50% of natural gas output remained shut down. Half of the 8 affected refineries are gradually coming back into operation this week.
People are having to wait in line for everything in the wake of hurricane Katrina, but the lines disappear during the 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew.
16,000-pound (7,260-kg) sandbags are being dropped by helicopters to fill breaks in New Orleans levees.
Some people want to stay on the Mississippi coast. Others would leave if they could.
Plan to Move Astrodome Evacuees on Hold, Katrina children seeking parents shown on Web site, Nearly 100,000 seek family on Katrina site-Red Cross, Efforts Made to Reunite Boy and His Dog, Telethons to raise funds for Katrina victims, A Look at the Hurricane Refugee Situation, Mobile Hospital Now Tending Miss. Patients, Refugees Adjust to Life in the Astrodome, Storm Victims Tally at Red Cross Shelters, National Guard unit to return from Iraq to Katrina, Health Official Declares Emergency in Texas
A plan to transfer some evacuees from the Houston Astrodome to cruise ships has been delayed because many didn't want to go. A plan to airlift some to other states under the direction of the Texas National Guard was also put on hold after the federal government took over. Texas has run out of room.
Photos of children who don't know where their parents are have been posted on a National Center for Missing and Exploited Children web site. There is also a telephone hotline (888-544-5475). Nearly 100,000 people had registered on the Red Cross family links web site Tuesday.
The story of a little boy who became very distressed who was parted from his dog Snowball when he was evacuated has prompted many to help reunite evacuees with their pets or to foster pets. Web sites include Pet Finder, Katrina Found Pets, Humane Society of the United States and Noah's Wish (rescue group).
Telethons are planned on Friday and Saturday, and last Sunday's Jerry Lewis' telethon for the Muscular Dystrophy Assn. included a plea for money for Katrina victims.
The state-of-the-art mobile hospital for disasters that was not allowed to go to work in Louisiana because of red tape is now treating patients in Mississippi.
Life in the Astrodome takes some adjusting to, but is better than the Superdome became. Many are shell-shocked, and sleep little for fear of losing their belongings or because of the noise. Texas declared a public health emergency to speed up help coping with the refugees.
The 256th Army National Guard's 141st field artillery section, which is based in New Orleans, is to return from Iraq to their base in New Orleans Saturday. After 4 days leave they will have the option of active duty working on relief, or demobilization.
BellSouth: Katrina damage may hit $600mln, News networks focus on Gulf Coast reconstruction, Don't Count Mardi Gras Out in New Orleans
BellSouth Corp. says that hurricane Katrina will have cost it at least $400 million to $600 million of damage to its network, excluding lost revenue.
News networks are beginning to look to the longer term, with stories about rebuilding. The expect Katrina to dominate their output for some time.
Mardi Gras will not be defeated by hurricane Katrina. A few people gathered for the annual Southern Decadence festival, and there will be more in February.
Fla. Storm Could Bring 15 Inches of Rain
Tropical Storm Ophelia was expected to bring parts of Florida up to 15 inches of rain by Wednesday morning.
Other stories
Katrina Forces London to Examine Defense
London is only three feet above water, but it is sinking slowly, and with global warming the water level could rise. It is protected by embankments and levees and the famous Thames barrier. In a worst case scenario, it could be flooded 6 feet deep. It is rated No. 9 on its list of mega-risk cities. It is continually looking at ways to reduce the risk.
The Netherlands, much of which is below sea level, is also reviewing its anti-flood measures in the wake of hurricane Katrina. It is better protected than most. Venice is working on its defences.
Typhoon Nabi Kills 5 in Japan, S. Korea, Four dead and 14 missing as typhoon hits south Japan
Typhoon Nabi hit southern Japan and South Korea on Tuesday Five people died, dozens were injured and tens of thousands fled. Seaside towns were flooded by storm surges. There were several landslides; some fatal. Transport and power were disrupted.
Typhoon Kills 95 in China; 30 Missing
Typhoon Talim hit the Chinese mainland Thursday, and the death toll in China and Taiwan has risen to 95 and 2 respectively. There was major flooding and destruction.
2005 Fire Season Marked by Big Range Fires
The 2005 fire season has seen smaller fires on average, yet twice the average acreage has burnt.
Iran nuclear weapons at least 5 years away -report
London's International Institute for Strategic Studies believes that Iran is at least 5 years away from nuclear weapons, technically.
French farmers head for gene maize harvest
France is about to harvest its first genetically modified (GMO) grain, 500 hectares of authorised GMO maize which has escaped being destroyed by environmental campaigners.
Grass hailed as potential source of clean energy
A tall grass called Miscanthus could be used as biomass to produce electricity economically and it would produce no more carbon dioxide than it extracted from the air when growing, making it carbon-neutral.
False Information Said Worsened Chernobyl, Chernobyl helped make nuclear plants safer - IAEA
The International Atomic Energy Agency says that false information and unnecessary evacuations in the wake of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident in 1986 caused high anxiety levels and depression. It said that only 56 had died, and the final death toll would be no more than 4,000. It said that nuclear safety was safer as a result of the accident because of the lessons learnt about international cooperation.
Congo's "hippies of the forest" apes dying out fast
Congo's "hippies of the forest", pygmy chimpanzees called bonobos, resolve conflicts among themselves through sex. This is not saving them from being shot dead. They could die out by 2055.
Future Farmers Are a Different Breed
More people who have grown up on farms want to remain in contact with farming, but without depending on traditional farming for their livelihoods. They are taking up other careers such as agricultural law or marketing or agribusiness.
In the same news wire, the High Plains Aquifer, an underground water supply beneath parts of Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming, is being recharged at a very slow rate. It could become depleted much sooner than expected and become useless.
Indonesian orangutans under siege-green groups
There are approximately 40,000 orang-utans in Kalimantan, Indonesia's part of Borneo. Up to 500 are illegally traded each year, and a similar number are killed. There have been no prosecutions. Their habitat is also being rapidly destroyed. Sumatran orang-utans are also in decline as a result of logging, hunting and habitat loss.
Ore. Scientists Monitor Bulging Ground
There is a bulge in the ground covering about 100 square miles near the South Sister in Oregon. A recent annual survey shows that it is still growing at about 1.4 inches a year. It was first observed from space. Scientists do not know if it will form a new small volcano.
Florida Conducting Coral Reef Study
Florida has financed a new study about the health of the coral reefs off its shores. They extend about 300 miles. They intend to protect the healthiest areas. Some have been subject to mass bleaching and they want to study how this occurs. There is a major tourist industry based around the reefs.
Road Salt Blamed As Stream Salinity Rises
Northeastern streams are becoming saltier and experts blame chemicals used to clear snow and ice from the roads. They believe it has built up in the ground water, too. With an increase in the number of roads, parking lots and driveways in the USA, the problem will likely get worse.
Europe races to shore up bird flu defenses
Europe is working hard to protect itself against bird flu, which experts say could arrive soon and potentially create a pandemic.
Index of topics in this series.
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Here's the EPA's Response Activity for Tuesday, September 6, 2005 relating to hurricane Katrina:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are cautioning the public and all responders about the potential hazards associated with flood waters. Every effort should be made to limit contact with flood water due to potentially elevated levels of contamination associated with raw sewage and other hazardous substances. EPA has collected and sent New Orleans flood water samples to labs in Lafayette, LA and Houston, TX for analysis. Daily sampling is ongoing, and test results are expected later this week.
Recovery - EPA search and rescue operations continue. Food and water were distributed and an additional 120 people were rescued. Approximately, 770 rescues have been made by EPA in LA. Sixty-five EPA watercraft are currently available for rescue efforts.
Public Advisory - On 9/4, EPA issued an advisory to the public urging caution when disposing of household hazardous waste and asbestos-containing debris from storm-damaged homes and other buildings. The advisory was issued as a press release from EPA headquarters and regions 4 and 6.
Water Assessment - EPA estimates the number of water systems affected by the hurricane is now 73 in AL, 555 in MS and 469 in LA. In AL, many water systems were disabled or impaired by loss of electrical power. Eight systems in AL currently have boil water advisories. EPA is continuing its assessment of damage to local drinking water systems in MS, and providing technical assistance to help restore safe drinking water to those systems. Boil water notices have been issued to 404 water systems in MS. Samples from these systems will be analyzed for total fecal coliform bacteria before the systems restore service. EPA is assisting the LA Department of Health and Hospitals in assessing drinking water and will deploy 30 more EPA personnel to LA during this week. There are approximately 378 drinking water systems that are not in operation in LA with another 48 systems on a boil water notice.
Wastewater Treatment Facilities - EPA continues to assess wastewater treatment facilities in LA, MS and AL. EPA estimates the number of wastewater treatment facilities affected is now 13 in AL, 114 in LA and 85 in MS.
Air Surveillance - EPA’s environmental surveillance aircraft (ASPECT) is being used to assess spills and chemical releases. On 9/4, a large oil spill was surveyed in Chalmette, LA (Murphy Oil). A 250,000 barrel tank containing 85,000 barrels of oil released beyond secondary containment and extended into a residential area. The company and its contractors are working with EPA and the Coast Guard to repair the storage tank, contain the oil and begin cleanup. EPA and state officials continue to collect air quality information from daily aerial helicopter inspections of facilities. On-the-ground inspections of these facilities will provide additional information in the coming weeks. Air assessments of spills and chemicals releases in New Orleans and surrounding area continued via helicopter on 9/5.
Incident Management Team (IMT) - On 9/2 EPA deployed a 17 person Incident Management Team to Baton Rouge to integrate with LA officials and manage EPA’s field operations. Deployment of a second full IMT to the LA area is being coordinated with anticipated mobilization on 9/6.
Peer Support & Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team - EPA has deployed CISM team members to Baton Rouge, LA and will deploy two CISM Team members to Jackson, MS on 9/7 to consult with all EPA staff conducting field operations in areas impacted by the hurricane.
Fuel Waivers - On 9/2, EPA granted a limited waiver from the reformulated gasoline (RFG) requirement for gasoline sold in the Richmond, VA, metropolitan area through 9/9. In consultation with the Department of Energy, we are closely monitoring gasoline supplies as we consider requests for waivers in other areas. On 9/1, EPA granted Georgia ’s request to waive its state sulfur requirement through 9/15 which required clean burning gasoline to be sold in the 45-county area of Atlanta . On 8/31, to alleviate possible fuel shortages across the country and to help meet emergency demand, EPA granted a nationwide fuel waiver that allows refiners, importers, distributors, carriers and retail outlets to supply gasoline and diesel fuels that do not meet standards for emissions. The temporary waiver is in effect through 9/15.
Hazardous Waste Disposal - EPA personnel continue to oversee and offer technical assistance in the disposal of hazardous waste and other debris left behind by the storm. Teams are working closely with the Coast Guard to conduct assessments of potential oil spills and chemical releases caused by the hurricane.
Technical Expertise - EPA will be providing environmental guidelines for residences and commercial buildings. EPA has practical and scientific expertise in the environmental health hazards caused by flood waters, especially the effects of molds and mildew, and in the disposal of household hazardous waste and asbestos-containing materials from storm-damaged buildings.
Emergency Call Center - EPA expects to deploy 30-50 personnel from the Region 5 (Chicago) office to assist staffing of the FEMA Emergency Call Center that will register people who are applying for federal assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The call center is anticipated to be operational on September 8th.
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Here's the EPA's "EPA and HHS Urge Caution in Areas Exposed to Contaminated Flood Water" press release for Tuesday, September 6, 2005 relating to hurricane Katrina:
