Amazing
Times-Picayune (New Orleans)
January 12, 2005 Wednesday
SECTION: METRO; Pg. 1
LENGTH: 460 words
HEADLINE: N.O. seeks emergency office head
BYLINE: By Mark Schleifstein, Staff writer
At the top of a long list of priorities for the new director will be working with federal and state officials to reshape storm evacuation planning in the aftermath of the massive evacuation delays that occurred during Hurricane Ivan last year.
“We?ve also got a major project under way trying to look at federal government support for creating a refuge of last resort to be used for Category 3 and above hurricanes, which we do not currently have,” Ebbert said.
“In the process of upgrading the Superdome and the Saints deal with the state, let?s look at designating that as the shelter, with upgrades: a backup power system, separate water and sewer system, improved electric generators that can continually run all the systems in the building, adequate medical and electronics systems, all of which would make the Superdome into a dual-purpose facility,” Ebbert said.
Establishing such a refuge is important because evacuating everyone is likely impossible, Ebbert said.