Why didn't the state of LA make ALL road lanes lead OUT of town??

[Blaq Dem]

Incoming lanes to N.O.? Empty.

Outgoing lanes from N.O.? Jammed.

In some evacuations I've seen roadways being turned into one-way roads leading out of an area to accommodate traffic. Yet in this case in N.O., it seemed nearly suicidal. I've heard some people even ran out of gas while waiting to leave N.O. And they couldn't get any gas because there weren't any gas stations opened.

Where's common sense?

[ScreamingMeemie]

1. They would have had to leave a lane or two open for incoming

emergency personnel, but I agree with you...a few should have been opened going out. :hi:

[Dogmudgeon]

2. Even more than that ...

... when cars break down, they have to dispatch tow trucks to retrieve the cars and their drivers. Ambulances need room, too, for those few people who get sick and need medical attention.

Emergency preparation is a complex art in itself, and this time, we may find out just how hard these people really work to keep us safe.

--p!

[jus_the_facts]

3. common sense blown away with the storm surge....

...radar loop of the bands o'rain...
http://www.weatherunderground.com/US/Region/Southcentral/2xpxRadar.html

[Ian David]

4. They did that until 4PM yesterday. n/t

[Ganja Ninja]

5. It's part of the evacuation plan.

They do it in Florida too. At a certain point the major highways are turned into one way so both sides of the road can be used by traffic leaving town. What you may have seen is the incoming lanes while they are being blocked and prior to the traffic shift. They have to make sure everyone is off the road before they change the direction of traffic flow.

[liberal N proud]

6. I have asked this question every time there is an evacuation

They could reduce the inbound to one or two lanes and the rest are outbound.

[whistle]

7. Maybe not enough police and patrol cars in the state to provide

...the necessary traffic control. Is there panic on the interstate there?

Back in October 1999, I found myself in Dania FL attending a conference when HURRICANE IRENE (Oct 13 1999 11:00AM to Oct 18 1999 11:00PM) was approaching. I stayed as long as I could, but when the storm made landfall on the west coast of Florida and 15" to 20" of rain had fallen on Dania, I left and drove back to Orlando. It was very eerie seeing traffic on I-95 heading toward the storm. I just wanted to get out as soon as I could which I did, thank God.

[malaise]

8. The real problem with hurricanes

is that they are really hard to predict. This one will do the most damage to Gulfport Mississippi than to New Orleans.

[CottonBear]

9. They did: it's called the ContraFlow Plan.

Go to the local news sites for videos and maps of the ContraFlow. ContraFlow was discussed yesterday online and on the TV and radio news. There was a ContrFlow Map posted on DU yesterday.
Google is your friend.