Wednesday, August 30, 2017

MY ASTUTE OBSERVATIONS RE: HURRICANE HARVEY

Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

Have you noticed that in spite of the devastation in parts of Texas and Louisiana that quite a few people are pretty calm and relaxed in places where insanity could easily reign? (I'm not saying that some people aren't upset and in tears, and they have a right to be.)

What I see on my TV is a city that's pretty much in ruins, but people aren't panicking the way they did during Hurricane Katrina.

I see two major differences with Hurricane Harvey:

1. People can connect with others on Twitter, Facebook, whatever. People have even used social media to get out the message that they need to be rescued. Having some kind of a connection with the world instead of feeling totally alone means a lot.

2. I see people being rescued with their pets. Cat carriers are loaded into boats. Dogs ride on their daddy's or mommy's shoulders. During Hurricane Katrina, if I remember correctly (and if I'm wrong you can set me straight), people were told they couldn't bring their pets to shelters. They had to leave their beloved animal friends behind to die. Do you think I'd climb into a boat and float away without Franklin and Penelope?

If your answer is HELL NO, then you're correct.


One rescuer spoke of picking up a family that included a bull mastiff who weighed well over one hundred pounds.

It's a well-known fact that having a pet can bring down blood pressure, along with having other health benefits, especially relief from depression and anxiety. If I were dragged away from my pups, I'd scream and cry non-stop. They are my family.

Additionally, when people reach the shelters, they seem to have supplies on hand, the supplies that the people of New Orleans lacked: water, diapers, food, clothes, blankets.

Not everyone will survive Hurricane Harvey. Some people have already died, and no doubt, some pets have died and will die.

But I see a greater spirit of camaraderie during this hurricane. At first I thought that not having a mandatory evacuation of the city was insane. Then I learned that when they had an evacuation in the past (not sure when it was or what the emergency was), that people panicked and more were killed in the evacuation than in the rest of the emergency.

Not evacuating also leaves a lot of people there who have boats and are willing to use them to save others.

I also don't see news reports about African Americans who are looters, but white people who do the same are simply seeking out supplies. I see white, black, and Hispanic people working together. It's a world away from the hatred we saw in Charlottesville.

Let's keep the spirit of togetherness going.


Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug


Here's a bit of presidential trivia:

When Hurricane Betsy hit New Orleans in 1965, President Lyndon Johnson went to the city and visited evacuation centers, as reported HERE and in numerous other places:

"On September 10, 1965, the day after Hurricane Betsy plowed through southeastern Louisiana, President Lyndon Johnson flew to New Orleans.  He went to the people, to shelters where evacuees were gathered, to neighborhoods all over the city.  There was no electricity and, so that people could see and hear him at one shelter, he took a flashlight, shined it into his face and said into a megaphone, "My name is Lyndon Baines Johnson.  I am your president.  I am here to make sure you have the help you need."

And that's exactly what he did.  He cut through bureaucratic red tape and, before he'd even left the city that day, he saw to it that the wheels were set in motion for the city's recovery.
Those who remember Betsy will always be grateful to President Johnson for his decisive leadership, his critically needed comfort and his determination to bring timely help to the area, and to immediately start rescuing, recovering and rebuilding."



32 comments:

  1. What I have seen I wondered about the same thing. Most people seem calm and they are taking animals with them. Only have seen a few angry people and no mention of looting. Lots of people helping other people. That's wonderful! I hope it keeps up. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope it continues, too, because the water will keep rising and it will take heaven only knows how long for it to recede.

      Delete
  2. Evacuate without my furry family. Hell no is politer than I could manage.
    I am glad to hear/see that despite the devastation people are working together. It means a lot.
    I am sad (but not surprised) that Hateful Harvey hasn't inspired your current President to behave like LBJ.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There will never be another Lyndon Johnson. He was not a perfect man, but he was one of a kind.

      Delete
  3. It is wrenching to see the flooding in Houston. But you are right that what comes through as this is ongoing are images of selflessness as people are helping each other, and *YES* lots of pets on boats.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So many people doing everything they can to help--strangers organize themselves into groups to perform rescues.

      Delete
  4. Great post of hope, spirit and love for all those who suffer from this devastation. Helping out each other is the best way to go. Greetings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wish I could be of assistance, but in my case, the best I can do is probably to make a donation to the Red Cross.

      Delete
  5. There have been tons of negative things written and said about LBJ, but the man does have a lot to his credit, as well. Quite an enigma.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He knew how to "work" Congress like no one before or since.

      Delete
  6. The people of Houston have shown great courage and resiliency, but it will be up to sustained efforts by local and Federal authorities to deal with the devastating aftermath of this horror. I have doubts the recovery will go smoothly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's almost an impossible situation. Parts of New Orleans still have flood-damaged structures just sitting after all these years.

      Delete
  7. I can't imagine for one second leaving my two cats behind to die! Just stab me in the heart, why don't you?

    How wonderful that people are working together and helping each other out!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Some people say, It's just a cat, or It's just a dumb dog. The only thing that can part me from Franklin and Penelope is death.

      Delete
  8. I think your observations make a lot of sense. I don't have pets and don't feel any need to, but friends and family who do have them are so attached that I can see them being very distraught at leaving them behind. Maybe some of the lessons learned from Katrina helped with dealing with Harvey were applied. Also there could be something different about the spirit of the people in Houston as compared to those in New Orleans--not sure that would be a measurable observation, but it could be a factor I suppose.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe the people of Houston were better prepared for what was coming? I don't know what the difference is between Houston and New Orleans, except that since Hurricane Katrina, as a country I think we're quicker to respond to natural disasters. When Hurricane Matthew visited us last year, there was no fooling around. Well in advance of the storm, we had a mandatory evacuation of the beaches and lots of shelters opened that accepted people and their pets.

      Delete
  9. I've had the Hurricane Harvey news on in the background since the beginning, switching back and forth among CNBC, Fox, and CNN. Things are definitely going better than back during Katrina. I think that our nation learned a lot from that past tragedy, and it's putting its hard earned knowledge to work.

    A hurricane is neutral; it doesn't take sides, and it doesn't hate. Is it's a very different situation from a hate march like in Charlottesville. I have always believed that the majority of humankind is good; that's what gives me hope in the future. Whether it's the little boats of England rescuing British and French soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk or the Cajun Navy rescuing people from the neighborhood of Houston, good people step up.

    I have fixed feelings about LBJ, but his response to Hurricane Betsy was exemplary. I understand Trump's desire not to get in the way and take away resources to provide security for him, but I remember when the younger Bush made a surprise Thanksgiving visit to troops in Baghdad in 2003. I think Trump could have been more effective if he pulled an LBJ/Bush visit to an evacuation shelter. It is possible to so. Meanwhile the Korean situation worsens.

    I'm going to hang on to my belief in the basic goodness of humankind and hope that we get through this difficult and dangerous time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm with you, Louise. While I'm appalled by white supremacists, I believe that most people have a core of goodness in them. Maybe it's just as well that Trump didn't go to a shelter. He doesn't play well with others. He can't relate to "common" people, whereas Lyndon Johnson grew up poor. He did a lot of things that were wrong, yet I think he's one of our greatest presidents because of his commitment to civil rights and fighting poverty.

      Delete
    2. LBJ's commitment to civil rights and fighting poverty make him one of the greatest presidents in my mind too, Janie!

      Delete
    3. I'm glad I'm not alone regarding Johnson.

      Delete
  10. I was pleased to see that so many people were taking their pets with them and that the rescuers didn't object because pets matter too

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it makes a big difference that a lot of the rescuers are citizen volunteers who aren't concerned with making people follow a set of rules.

      Delete
  11. I, too, am wondering if the lessons of Katrina are helping this time around. I've never gotten the Katrina flooding out of my head; it was horrific. They say it will be years and years before Houston is back to any kind of normal and it's not hard to see the truth in that. So scary. And as you say, so many good people doing so much to help others - it's encouraging and uplifting to see that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. New Orleans hasn't recovered completely and it's been years since Hurricane Katrina.

      Delete
  12. I thought the same thing about people being able to take their pets and the panic is not the same and more people are helping. I didn't know this about LBJ and this was nice to read and learn...the current president needs to take notes

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so impressed by all the people with boats who are out rescuing anyone in need of help.

      Delete
  13. Good post Janie. I'm in Austin, just 3 hours from Houston. We got a lot of rain and wind, had some bridges washed out and some flash flooding but nothing compared to what the poor souls of Houston and the coast are enduring.

    Many lessons were learned from Katrina and one of those lessons was that accommodations and allowances for pets are absolutely critical. Many people ended up perishing in New Orleans because they weren't allowed to bring their pets with them when being rescued and they refused to leave them behind. I too would never ever leave my precious dogs or, as a dogsitter, any of the dogs in my care. I'm so happy to see the systems were put in place and that people AND their pets were being rescued and taken care of. Pets are being allowed in the shelters, which didn't happen in Katrina.

    I have to say, I was disgusted with 45's lack of empathy with all those suffering in the wake of Harvey. He didn't mention the victims, he didn't mention the first responders, he didn't even visit Houston, the hardest hit area, he didn't see the flooded streets...but he was sure to point out the big crowd that had gathered to see him: "What a great turnout here!" OMG. It's all about him... Narcissism in action.

    My heart is breaking for all the people dealing with Harvey and the aftermath, the loss of loved ones and the loss of homes and businesses. I watch the coverage of the rescue efforts and read the news stories and just cry, seeing what they are going through. The shelters are beginning to flood now! My heart is breaking for them. Being close by in Austin, there are a lot of places with collection sites where I can at least help a little by donating needed items.

    So many people are coming to help. And so many local businesses are supplying food and clothing and water and so much more. In times of tragedy, we really get to witness the goodness in people. Amongst all the heartbreak, that at least brings some much needed heartwarming.

    God bless all those affected by this terrible storm.

    Michele at Angels Bark

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's so good to hear from you, Michele. I saw a news report about an animal shelter that's filled with dogs. Many of the owners hope to retrieve their pets when things are better, but who knows when that will be?

      Delete
  14. Thanks so much for sharing the information on Past President Johnson. That is so inspiring.
    The way they made people leave their pets behind during Katrina broke my heart. It showed pictures of a small dog being wrenched right out of a little boy's arms. No wonder so many people refused to leave.
    Great post, Janie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We animal lovers understand the importance of taking ALL of our family members with us.

      Delete
  15. It's been very heartening to see how people have been helping each other in Texas. I hope the sense of unity continues, because the recovery is going to take a long long time.

    The evacuation from Houston you're thinking about that cause so much trouble was in about 2005, when a hurricane was approaching. Mass chaos ensued, and deaths, as you mentioned. A busload of senior citizens being evacuated from a nursing home died when their bus was in an accident and caught fire. AND the hurricane didn't hit Houston, after all. It's understandable that the authorities would be adverse to evacuating again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the background information. Now that I've heard it from you, I remember when that happened.

      Delete

Got your panties in a bunch? Dig 'em out, get comfortable, and let's chat.