In New Orleans and Jefferson Parish, officials this week said interior drainage systems are at top capacity, with backup power systems in place to keep pumps running if commercial electricity fails.Also of note, Mitch has prepared some typically Mitch newspeak for us in order to encourage us to evacuate.
"We have more redundant backup power than we did during last season, and we have projects that are under construction that will make it a more robust system than it ever was in the past," Sewerage & Water Board General Superintendent Joe Becker said, referring to new diesel generators at two pump stations. At three more, generators are being installed, he said.
As in previous years, anyone who wants to return to New Orleans before an evacuation order is lifted to attend to a business must get a placard from City Hall. Placards issued in 2011 are still valid this year, while those issued in 2010 or earlier are not, Sneed said. To reapply, visit ready.nola.gov.
Mayor Mitch Landrieu also encourages residents who visit the site to sign the "NOLA Ready" pledge, which reads: "Because I love New Orleans, I know how I will leave New Orleans. I am New Orleanian. I am NOLA Ready."
The placards, if you remember, caused all manner of hardship for residents trying to get back into town after the 2008 Gustav false alarm. "Top tier" political and business elites were allowed to come in to "check on" their property/business while the plebes were made to spend money they couldn't afford to spend in motels or wait it out on the highway. It's the Hospitality Zone mentality applied to emergency preparedness. Tiered reentry was such a hassle and such an insult that many of us have concluded we're altogether fine with not bothering to evacuate next time.
So I am changing Mitch's pledge to, "Because I my home is in New Orleans, I know I have a right to come back to my home regardless of your stupid placard system. I am New Orleanian. I am Not Leaving. "
Shit floats but it won't float away
Let's just stay