Post by Doug on Sept 4, 2005 17:03:41 GMT -5
I copied the article below. This is from nola.com. Note especially the part in bold.
Here is the link: www.nola.com/newslogs/breakingtp/index.ssf?/mtlogs/nola_Times-Picayune/archives/2005_09.html#076923
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Clarkson reports on Algiers
By Richard Meek
Staff Writer
Algiers was largely spared from Hurricane Katrina and subsequent flood waters, but
New Orleans City Councilman Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson said other parts of her district did not fare so well, noting that water was still standing in parts of Fauborg Marigny, St John, Treme and the Bywater.
Clarkson, in Baton Rouge on Sunday, said that many city workers died after the storm, unwilling to leave their jobs. “We lost a lot of city workers. The workers would not leave and we had to save some from a 25-foot wall of water,” she said.
She also lauded Mayor Ray Nagin’s efforts over the last week.
He "the greatest hero in all of this,” she said. “He and his team of city workers, police, fire fighters, sewerage and water board, are all heroes."
"He organized his team and kept them focused on target," she said. "They saved most of our city's people.”
For five days, Clarkson rotated between City Hall and a makeshift command center she and Mayor Ray Nagin manned at the Hyatt Regency. Her adventures included at one point, sprinting up 23 flights of stairs to escape a band of gun-toting individuals who were trying to enter the Hyatt.
"It was most heartbreaking to see this beautiful city, a major port of the American economy with strategic oil reserves for the entire Northeast and wonder where the hell was the world," Jackson said, as she fought back tears. "They showed up for 9/11 but where were they (for New Orleans)?"
Clarkson said she spent much of the first few days following the storm trying to save lives.
"I didn't leave because I was trying to put people who were desperate with people who had resources to help," said Clarkson.
In Algiers, she said the sewerage system is operational and that police and National Guard patrols have secured the city. Clarkson said Algiers did not take on water, and that she did not see any homes that were completely destroyed, although many suffered wind damage. She added that the community has running water and safe drinking water.
But she fell short of encouraging people to return.
"We cannot afford to divert resources from people who are still being saved from rooftops," Clarkson said. "But I want the people to know that the people of Algiers are fortunate."
Clarkson said the scariest moment came when individuals began storming the doors of the Hyatt, believing there was food and water inside, of which Clarkson said there was little of both.
"The mayor grabbed my arm and had me run up 23 flights of steps (from the fourth floor)," she said. "Of course, he got there 10 minutes before me."
Clarkson said she will continue rescue operations from her Algiers headquarters and begin to plan what promises to be a long recovery. She said anyone needing emergency and rescue help only should call her at 392-2092.
"I never imagined this would happen," said Clarkson.
Here is the link: www.nola.com/newslogs/breakingtp/index.ssf?/mtlogs/nola_Times-Picayune/archives/2005_09.html#076923
______________________________________________
Clarkson reports on Algiers
By Richard Meek
Staff Writer
Algiers was largely spared from Hurricane Katrina and subsequent flood waters, but
New Orleans City Councilman Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson said other parts of her district did not fare so well, noting that water was still standing in parts of Fauborg Marigny, St John, Treme and the Bywater.
Clarkson, in Baton Rouge on Sunday, said that many city workers died after the storm, unwilling to leave their jobs. “We lost a lot of city workers. The workers would not leave and we had to save some from a 25-foot wall of water,” she said.
She also lauded Mayor Ray Nagin’s efforts over the last week.
He "the greatest hero in all of this,” she said. “He and his team of city workers, police, fire fighters, sewerage and water board, are all heroes."
"He organized his team and kept them focused on target," she said. "They saved most of our city's people.”
For five days, Clarkson rotated between City Hall and a makeshift command center she and Mayor Ray Nagin manned at the Hyatt Regency. Her adventures included at one point, sprinting up 23 flights of stairs to escape a band of gun-toting individuals who were trying to enter the Hyatt.
"It was most heartbreaking to see this beautiful city, a major port of the American economy with strategic oil reserves for the entire Northeast and wonder where the hell was the world," Jackson said, as she fought back tears. "They showed up for 9/11 but where were they (for New Orleans)?"
Clarkson said she spent much of the first few days following the storm trying to save lives.
"I didn't leave because I was trying to put people who were desperate with people who had resources to help," said Clarkson.
In Algiers, she said the sewerage system is operational and that police and National Guard patrols have secured the city. Clarkson said Algiers did not take on water, and that she did not see any homes that were completely destroyed, although many suffered wind damage. She added that the community has running water and safe drinking water.
But she fell short of encouraging people to return.
"We cannot afford to divert resources from people who are still being saved from rooftops," Clarkson said. "But I want the people to know that the people of Algiers are fortunate."
Clarkson said the scariest moment came when individuals began storming the doors of the Hyatt, believing there was food and water inside, of which Clarkson said there was little of both.
"The mayor grabbed my arm and had me run up 23 flights of steps (from the fourth floor)," she said. "Of course, he got there 10 minutes before me."
Clarkson said she will continue rescue operations from her Algiers headquarters and begin to plan what promises to be a long recovery. She said anyone needing emergency and rescue help only should call her at 392-2092.
"I never imagined this would happen," said Clarkson.