New Orleans taking wait-and-see approach

‘Now we have to leave again’
When he came home, Darryl Robichaux dragged his plants and patio furniture back onto his balcony. Three days later, another hurricane and a new evacuation order had him pulling them back inside.

“It’s pretty sad. We came home to find out half the neighborhood burned down, now we have to leave again,” Robichaux, 25, said Tuesday of the fires spawned by Katrina. “No telling what we’ll find when we finally get back again.”

Nagin did not say how he planned the enforce the evacuation order. But Interstate 10 eastbound, the main artery into New Orleans from points west and north, was closed Wednesday to keep anyone else from coming in.

And to people who refused to leave, Nagin had this message: “We’re all adults. We really don’t want to take people out by gunpoint. We hope they see the threat... and obey the law.”

The federal government’s top official in the city, Coast Guard Vice Adm. Thad Allen, said the preparations in and around New Orleans included 500 buses for evacuation and enough water and military meals for 500,000 people.

Army Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honore, commander of active-duty troops engaged in hurricane relief, grew frustrated with reporters when asked if the government was trying to compensate for its sluggish response to Katrina.

Thinking ahead, not behind
“Let’s not get stuck on the last storm. You’re asking last storm questions for people who are concerned about the future storm. Don’t get stuck on stupid, reporters!” Honore said.

Despite the low turnout for the buses Wednesday, following just two busloads of evacuees Tuesday, officials were hopeful people would respond if Rita proves a threat.

“We’re just being prepared,” said Spc. Amber Mangham, an military police officer stationed outside the convention center. “The majority of people who are back in the city came with their own vehicle. We expect them to go out in their own vehicle.”

Keith Price, a nurse at University Hospital who stayed through Katrina, was already making plans to leave town later Wednesday.

“I don’t think I can stay for another storm,” said Price, who after Katrina waded several miles through chest-deep water to reach a friend’s apartment on higher ground. He’s been staying in the apartment ever since.

“Until you are actually in that water, you really don’t know how frightening it is.”

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