Media coverage pales in comparison to Katrina disaster
MSNBC Sep 25, 08 10:01 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Relief organizations are struggling to raise funds for their work in hurricane-battered areas of Texas and Louisiana, a marked difference from 2005, when millions flowed in to help Katrina victims. “The camera and the lights didn't stay on” this time, a Red Cross worker tells MSNBC, distracted by fresher stories about the financial crisis and political campaigns.
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Some see aid now as a path toward increased influence, cooperation
Washington Post Sep 24, 08 10:28 AM CDT
(Newser)
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The devastation Hurricanes Gustav and Ike wrought on Cuba has prompted the US to offer direct aid for the first time in the 47-year history of its embargo on the island, but even ardent anti-Castro Cuban Americans are pushing for more, the Washington Post reports. While not all favor lifting the embargo, there is a broad consensus that limits on travel and remittances from the US are oppressive, particularly in this time of crisis.
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Mayors ask Congress to move quickly on relief
Houston Chronicle Sep 23, 08 4:05 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Texas officials told Congress today they might need up to $40 billion in aid to rebuild the state's hurricane-hit areas, the Houston Chronicle reports. The state's lieutenant governor sought at least $11.5 billion of aid and as many trailer homes as available to help the 770 communities damaged by Hurricane Ike. Houston's mayor requested an immediate $2.5 billion injection to help his metropolis.
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Double blow from Gustav, Ike to cost billions
Miami Herald Sep 18, 08 2:55 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Back-to-back blows from Hurricanes Gustav and Ike have the Cuban tobacco industry reeling, reports the Miami Herald . Hurricane Ike alone destroyed half of this year's tobacco plants, more than 3,000 tobacco-drying barns and nearly 9,000 homes for workers. The destruction occurred just days after Gustav had already wreaked havoc on a similar scale.
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Feds still gauging disruption to supplies from Gulf hurricanes
Reuters Sep 17, 08 3:09 PM CDT
(Newser)
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The Bush administration may ask the International Energy Agency to release emergency fuel stocks into the domestic market to cushion losses from hurricane-battered oil refineries, Reuters reports. Gustav and Ike temporarily closed a dozen Gulf Coast refineries, though all are in "reasonably good shape" according to an official, resulting in daily losses of 1.1 million barrels of gas production and 700,000 barrels of distillate fuel output.
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Much to be done if New Orleans is to survive next big storm
New York Times Sep 7, 08 4:06 PM CDT
(Newser)
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New Orleans residents may be celebrating Hurricane Gustav's near-miss this week, but that's no reason to get complacent, the New York Times reports. Officials admit that protective infrastructure still isn’t up to par, and there were several close calls when Gustav made landfall. “I want everybody to understand—we’re not there yet,” an Army Corps of Engineers colonel said.
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Hanna could become hurricane by landfall; Ike drops to Cat. 3
Associated Press Sep 5, 08 8:56 AM CDT
(AP)
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Tropical storm watches or warnings were extended from Georgia to just south of New York City today as states along the Atlantic braced for Tropical Storm Hanna. Forecasters said Hanna could still become a hurricane before its expected arrival on US shores tomorrow. Meanwhile, disaster planners eyed ferocious-looking Hurricane Ike, which weakened to a Category 3 storm this morning but was still considered dangerous.
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Survivors stranded on rooftops beyond reach of aid workers
Guardian (UK) Sep 5, 08 2:20 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Impoverished Haiti is reeling from the devastation of a series of tropical storms and hurricanes, with refugees starving on rooftops in flood-ravaged areas, reports the Guardian . Faced with washed-out roads and winds too strong for helicopters, UN aide workers are using inflatable boats to reach at least some survivors. The storms have killed 136 in Haiti and left thousands homeless.
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Those who partied in New Orleans could influence evacuees to remain next time
Christian Science Monitor Sep 4, 08 3:21 PM CDT
(Newser)
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As the thousands who rode out Hurricane Gustav in New Orleans boast about the hardy, and sometimes boozy, camaraderie to neighbors who paid in frustration for following evacuation orders, authorities are hoping those tales won’t keep residents from heeding warnings next time around, the Christian Science Monitor reports. “Some of those people will definitely say, ‘I'm not going to make that mistake again of leaving,’” one official said.
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Scientists argue whether climate change strengthens hurricanes
USA Today Sep 4, 08 1:19 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Global warming is causing intensifying hurricanes around the world, a new study shows. Scientists analyzed 2,000 “tropical cyclones” occurring from 1980 to 2006 and found that the “strongest storms are getting stronger, especially over the Atlantic and Indian Oceans,” USA Today reports. Warmer water “has more energy that can be converted to tropical cyclone wind,” explains one of the researchers.
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But blackouts and shortages await returning evacuees
Washington Post Sep 3, 08 6:25 PM CDT
(Newser)
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All Hurricane Gustav evacuees are being allowed back into New Orleans after Mayor Ray Nagin abandoned a more drawn-out reentry plan, the Washington Post reports. Those returning had trouble locating supplies, and officials warned power outages would add to difficulties. "We'd like to say welcome back, but it's not the way we'd like to do it," one local official said.
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OPINION
Gustav prep was 'responsibility avoidance': Furedi
Spiked Sep 3, 08 2:48 PM CDT
(Newser)
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The way media and the state reacted to Gustav wasn't responsible behavior, but rather "responsibility avoidance ... motivated by a desire to avoid blame," Frank Furedi writes in Spiked. He says official overreaction diminishes a sense of community and individual resilience, rendering people passive to the whims of politicians who tell them, “You need to be scared,” and “Get your butts moving out of New Orleans right now.”
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Associated Press Sep 3, 08 12:59 PM CDT
(AP)
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President Bush flew over flooded fields and downed trees today as he kept a close watch on the Hurricane Gustav recovery —in contrast to his administration's bungled response to Katrina 3 years ago. Aboard Air Force One, Bush received a briefing from FEMA director R. David Paulison, who said he believes the federal response to Gustav went "extremely well," but warned residents against returning to their homes before city services are up and running.
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