As different as fire and water

Alex — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:43:00 GMT

To even compare these two disaters would be a crime. Those people who have lost all ife in NO are still striving to get it all back and have been permanately displaced. As for thos ein California, in an area where as reported celebrities resided, these people have money and can pick thier lives back up.

The poorest communities in NO, effecting all white and black tenants, devestated this state. these people had no home insurance, no saved money and no where to go.

So if the U. S is that dumb and th government that duumb to compare the two, then the author of this article is right, then it is a real disater.

As different as fire and water

AW, Missouri — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:43:20 GMT

I think another difference between the two disasters is that the people of California evacuated, while in the hurricane areas the busses stood empty because people refused to leave their homes. They had issued hurricane watches and warnings a week in advance, and some of the CA fire evacuees only had hours or minutes to get out.

As different as fire and water

Kathleen McKeen, Oceanside CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:43:46 GMT

You are absolutely correct! In Southern California, people are not passing dead bodies and wading through fecal matter up to their chest. They aren't drowning in their houses. Yes, the fire was very bad and a tragedy for some. But the evacuees at QualComm are doing yoga and having accupuncture. They aren't watching their relatives die beside them. And, for the most part, those most affected by the fire have the resources to rebuild their homes and businesses. Southern California won't have to relocate half of its population to other states and FEMA trailers. Katrina was and is a massive failure of our government at all levels. In a year, the affected parts of CA will be well on their way to being completely rebuilt.

As different as fire and water

Scott Stanfield, Richmond, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:43:54 GMT

Well put Martin. About the only thing these two have in common is the use of football stadiums as an evacuation point.

As different as fire and water

Helena Thompson, San Diego, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:45:24 GMT

I'm sick of hearing about "wealthy, white people" in Southern California. There are PLENTY of homeless people, poor people, and minorities in Southern California. People shouldn't make assumptions based out of ignorance.

As different as fire and water

MDB, New York, NY — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:47:30 GMT

It's not fair to compare these two disasters for another basic reason: a hurricane and fire devastation are not in the same league. Want to compare? How about Andrew v. Katrina? Florida coped and Louisiana didn't. FL local and state officials acted responsibly, and LA's were nowhere to be found until it was time to assign blame and find ways to deflect it. The area hit by Andrew was not as poverty-stricken as Katrina's, but it was no pot of wealth either. While it is true that several agencies dropped the ball during Katrina, it is also important to remember that the citizens of New Orleans were abandoned by their local emergency groups in the first place. (Anyone remember that the Mayor was among the first to leave and abandon his post?) What is unfathomable and inexcusable is that that same local leadership was re-elected.

As different as fire and water

t_cole Dallas, Texas — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:53:50 GMT

thank you.

My immediate family are some of those from the "often overlooked Mississippi coast."

This needed to be said.

As different as fire and water

nuanced — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:55:43 GMT

In New Orleans it was known that a category 4 or 5 hurricane would breach the levees. It was known that such a hurricane would eventually hit directly on New Orleans. The failings are the lack of prevention of the disaster and the lack of planning for mitigation if it occured.

I don't know what the situation was in California, maybe someone can provide this information. There had been several devastating wild fires in the past. It was known that more would occur in the future. What plans were enacted to prevent a recurrence and what plans were made for mitigation if another occurred?

Many people in Louisiana did not have flood insurance. It is now mandated in many of the areas. I heard several comments on the news about people in the wildfire areas not having home insurance. Should it be mandated?

As different as fire and water

Joe Bellavia, Poway, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:56:38 GMT

Mr. Savidge, I would agree with both your analysis and your conclusion. Let's not believe that we have learned and fixed what failed.

We need to hear from people that survived both.

As different as fire and water

Tina Hymel, Norco-Louisiana — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:59:19 GMT

Mr. Savidge hit the nail on the head with this article. Not to say we should care less BUT Cali fires pale in comparison to the affects of Katrina (and the shortcomings of the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers--LEVEES). Most importantly consider the number of people evacuated in each situation. This number alone tells the story.

As different as fire and water

LIZZ — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:59:50 GMT

NO YOU CANNOT COMPARE IT TO KATRINA. BUT YOU ALSO HAVE TO REALIZE THAT IN LOUISIANA, PEOPLE DID NOT LEAVE WHEN TOLD TO. AND IF PEOPLE HAD USED THEIR HEADS THEY HAD DAYS TO PREPARE TO LEAVE. AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT DID NOT DO MUCH TO HELP EITHER. THEY HAD PLENTY OF RESOURSES TO MOVE PEOPLE OUT THAT COULD NOT GET OUT ON THEIR OWN. PEOPLE IN CALIFORNIA ARE BETTER PREPARED. THEY ARE NOT GOING TO SIT AROUND AND EXPECT OTHERS TO DO FOR THEM. THEY HELP THEMSELVES. AND THAT MAKES THINGS GO A LOT SMOOTHER.

As different as fire and water

LR, Chicago — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:00:31 GMT

Why hasn't anyone mentioned the behavior of the evacuees in California as compared to those in Louisianna? They have a large role in how things go. I don't see people infront of news cameras crying about how no one came to help them. I haven't heard anything about crimes being committed in the staduim or poor conditions.

As different as fire and water

Doug, Essexville, MI — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:02:39 GMT

I agree. While each is a disaster, they circumstances are entirely different. One key difference that you did not touch on was the issue of insurance. A critical problem that is stalling rebuilding efforts after Katrina is non-payment of insurance claims based on the contention that the damage was due to flooding (not covered) rather than wind (covered). In the case of Southern California, the damage is clearly due to fire which will be covered by the homeowner's policies. Unless there is a move by insurers to simply not issue insurance for rebuilt homes due to the risk of future fires, - something I seriously doubt will occur - homeowners should receive their money for rebuilding relatively quickly. As a result, I would predict that most of the homes will be rebuilt in the next few years. However, the Katrina area will continue to languish for lack of insurance money as well as other issues due to the much greater magnitude of the damage to the basic infrastructure of communities in Gulf Area.

As different as fire and water

Mo' — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:06:15 GMT

no, you cannot compare the disasters but you can make a comparision between the reaction to them. will there be looting in CA? probably not as much as in LA because fire consumes all, not everything below a certain point. you can't walk through a fire with a tv on your shoulder as was done in the floodwaters after katrina. i think the reaction so far speaks volumes to the (let's face it) cultural differences between the two places. this disaster wasn't handled better because it was a smaller scale, it was just handled better by those affected. there is a lot to be said for those people who proactively help themselves, vs. those who boo-hoo their losses and look for someone to blame.

bravo, SO CAL.

As different as fire and water

ac, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:06:51 GMT

Dead "ON" - There is no comparison. As far as I know getting anything to the evacuees was never an issue. Try that with a flooded city.

As different as fire and water

Mark D., Tracy, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:08:36 GMT

But the flip side of the coin is that there will be critics out there saying that the "affluence" of California dictated a better response out of the Feds, when in reality (as you correctly laid it out) it should be an easier task to recovery in California than it was to Louisiana. Watch for the outcry from the Katrina victims in the coming days, weeks and months. And remind them that they are comparing a bushel of Louisiana apples to one California orange.

As different as fire and water

Staci, San Diego — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:19:24 GMT

Thank you so much for this article. I thought I was the only one that realized the difference between these events. Other than the evacuees being housed in Stadium's there it nothing similar in these events. As tragic as both are, there are people who have access to Qualcomm each day.. volunteers can come and go, people can stop by and donate things. In New Orleans, those people were virtually inaccessible. They couldn't leave, people couldn't get to them. I am so happy to see San Diego rally around their people. Had the circumstances in New Orleans been different, you would probably have seen something similar happen there...

As different as fire and water

Melanie, San Diego, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:20:23 GMT

The major difference between the two situations is how a community can come together and be supportive in a bad time. Katrina victims attacked one another while California vicitms support eachother. I believe San Diego just set a great example on how a society should come together in a time of need and others should follow in our footsteps. Katrina showed the world what not to do!

As different as fire and water

Jim Clark, New Orleans, LA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:29:12 GMT

Well said.
In New Orleans there was no where to go to and no where to return to, some still have no where to return to.

I do not detract from the evacuees of the California fires, I believe they have shown grace under pressure and should be held up as an example as to the nation or the proper way to behave in a disaster.

911, Katrina, and the fires each have a different personality and have to be handled as such. The evacuees, officials, law enforcement, firefighters, and the Governor all have done an outstanding job, my best wishes go out to them all.

As different as fire and water

Maynard Krenshaw, Salt Lake City, UT — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:33:32 GMT

Your observations are right on. California appears to be so prepared from lessons learned, they really don't need that much if any outside help.

As different as fire and water

jon, Santa Rosa, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:34:54 GMT

Don't forget that virtually all of the persons stranded in New Orleans had to rely on public transportation which basically shut down 2 days before the storm hit; also had the levees not failed flooding in New Orleans would have been less severe and short-lived. The fires, as large as they are are surrounded by heavily populated areas that with infrastructure able to supply aid immediately. Outside aid to New Orleans had to come from a greater distance by boat(mostly citizen volunteers) or by air(Fed Gov and National Guard, etc.)

As different as fire and water

Lina, San Diego, California — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:35:59 GMT

I'm just wondering what the comparison is for how much looting was going on during Katrina vs. how much we have seen here in California. Seems to me that there was a huge difference in that respect.

As different as fire and water

Russell B — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:36:02 GMT

Well said. Thank you for this thoughful piece. It would be a real shame for any politicians to treat this disaster as an opportunity to save face after the Katrina debacle. It wouldn't be a surprise, just a real shame.

As different as fire and water

Mary Louis — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:38:00 GMT

You absolutely should compare Katrina to California fires and look at how well prepared the state is !!!
Have you seen anyone standing in front of their BURNING home asking for the "government" to help them.
California is a true example of the fact that states
are somewhat responsible for themselves. The president is not "responsible" for EVERYONE !!!!
People, take responsibility for YOURSELVES!!!!!eg:the
state of California.

As different as fire and water

B. Kovach, Simi Vly, Ca. — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:40:26 GMT

I lived in California for some 34 yrs and have been through many fires and earthquakes. The Biggest was the Northridge one for my family and I. But nothing like what we ever had can compare to the Disaster of Katrina. Those poor people were hit alot harder then us, I feel.

As different as fire and water

Chicago, IL — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:40:30 GMT

Mr. Savidge: This is extremely well-written and helps put this in context-- while still being respectful to people impacted by both tragedies. Well done. - Chicago, IL

As different as fire and water

katie, Nashville, TN — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:43:11 GMT

Amen! Qualcom stadium isn't surrounded by water, either. Any and all persons needing help and those willing to help can drive up at a moment's notice.

As different as fire and water

Lou Torres Canton,Ga — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:44:12 GMT

the people in California took care of them selves along with help reveived and the Stadium didn't look like the Dome did, nobody is going to have to sanitize the stadium.
it amounts to a different frame of mind of the two kinds of poeple, I know because I lived there 69 yrs.
of my 70 yrs. and nobody ever had to take care of us
or support us.

As different as fire and water

Steve, San Diego — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:45:05 GMT

Californians helped Californians, it's that simple and the Federal Gov had NOTHING to do with it.

Although this was larger due to global warming effects, California has dealt with this type of emergency for generations and to compare this to the century type of disaster in New Orleans is ridiculous.

Californians had experience and places to go. The people of New Orleans had nothing and were trapped there. It was a true disaster that required federal help when there was none.

It's a lot easier to run from a fire than wade through floods of dead bodies and trash only to find you can't reach safety, clean drinkable water, food or services.

Stop these ridiculous comparisons...

As different as fire and water

Lola, Tulsa, OK — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:45:20 GMT

I cannot believe that no one has commented on this. Yes, there is no comparison to the two, except, what happens for the rich does NOT happen for the poor. It has nothing to do with black or white. It is money.

As different as fire and water

HenryJ, PNW — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:47:19 GMT

Communication vs no communication...Boundless aid vs worthless aid.

As different as fire and water

Carrie, Winchester, VA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:48:02 GMT

Well said. You definitely cannot compare the two disasters. It has nothing to do with color of skin or affluence of the commuinities. The people of NOLA and the rest of the affected Gulf had no water, no power, dead bodies everywhere, and cities under water. There was no transportation, no food, very little clean water, and absolutely no idea if anyone was ever going to come and help them.

As far as rebuilding... Fire is covered by home-owners insurance ; floods are not. It's much easier to rebuild when your insurance companies are willing to help pay for it.

As different as fire and water

Kevin — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:50:24 GMT

http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSN2336751020071024

Not too bad.

People in the Superdome didn't even have water and officials knew the storm was coming as opposed to fire being kind of a surprise.

I'm just saying.

As different as fire and water

Doug, Carson, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:50:45 GMT

AMEN, Martin! Finally a newsworthy article stating the simple facts that parallels cannot be drawn between these two disasters. I hope the politicians take heed of your final comment: "See we have learned from Katrina and fixed what failed." If leaders believe that, then that really will be a disaster.

As different as fire and water

TK, Portland, OR — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:57:00 GMT

Aw Missouri. You're making the assumption that most of the residents of New Orleans had the resources to evacuate. Some did refuse, but most had no choice but to stay. Unlike the residents in the affected areas of California, the majority of those people either had no vehicle, were disabled, or were elderly. Even those who had a car did not have money to put themselves up in some hotel for several nights. You're missing the point.

As different as fire and water

J Patterson, Mobile, AL — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:58:07 GMT

Very good article. I agree with you completely. You cant compare the two disasters. The magnitude alone is different and the people that helped in Louisiana (thousands of us across the Gulf Coast) were forgotten. But we were not looking for individual glory, (unlike our Government, sometimes) just to help hurt people that easily could have been us.

As different as fire and water

What the — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:58:31 GMT

Katrina and this fire should not even be used in that same sentence. Many people lost their lives in Katrina, there have been a few deaths because of the fire, but these two disasters should never be compared to each other. These houses in California will be replaced. People from Katrina are still living in trailers and the insurance companies are not paying people. California will be rebuilt and just as beautiful. Louisiana, still has not resolved the levee problem and if there is another hurricaine (natural disaster) it will happen again. Let's see if the president gets help to the people within 3 days (hell let's see if he even vists).

As different as fire and water

BW - S.A Texas — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:58:31 GMT

One must prepare and have plans for the disaster they face. New Orleans - hurricanes; California-earthquakes and fires. New Orleans officials didnt have a clue, didnt have a plan, and didnt appear to care for anything except to point fingers and toss blame. California apparently had a plan and carried it out to a 'T'. Local elected officials knew what to do and how to do it, people were taken care of and the results speak for themselves. Think back to 300 school buses sitting neatly lined up in New Orleans while people needed a way out because according to local elected officials, "they couldnt find qualified bus drivers". Give me a break. The folks in New ORleqans had days of warning and knew the potential disaster looming and had no plan. The people of california fires had little warning but still managed to pull it off. Good preparation for what you face is the key and California is to be praised.

As different as fire and water

atlanta, georgia — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:00:37 GMT

What is sad about the Louisiana/California situation is that people honestly believe that Government cares period.

As different as fire and water

Chris, San Jose, California — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:01:02 GMT

As a guy born and raise in the South, but now living in the Bay Area, also having lived in Orange County. I can say that in the South, there is a much larger sense of "the government owes me" this and that. one of the reasons i left the South for California is that people are better citizens here and for the most part take responsibility for their actions. I can't speak for Los Angeles though. it's still pretty crazy and crime there on par with New Orleans. would they rush to save a burning Malibu home or a Long Beach multi-family residence first?
overall, i think the Bay Area is better prepared than So Cal for a disaster. as proven with the 1906? earthquake in san francisco. look at the city now, you would never think there was a disaster that wiped out the whole city 100 years ago. overall congrats California! you beat Louisiana in ethics and preparedness!

As different as fire and water

G Fletch — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:01:35 GMT

I love you people that don't live here commenting on how this is no comparison to Katrina. Have you been here, or here now? do you see what is going on? There are still fires going on right now. (Thursday afternoon). 500,000 evacuated just fine. Why? For one people have a brain when they say leave your house or your going to catch on fire. Unlike katrina where they had ample warning to evacuate. We had little or no time to evacuate. Yet again unlike New Orleans, people here are PREPARED for disasters.. It's called taking care of yourself. Not waiting for the president or the govenor to knock on your door and ask you if everything is ok? "do you need anything"?
All you moron reporters and so called analysts get the hell out of here, mind your own business, beat it!!!!

As different as fire and water

What the — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:01:44 GMT

As different as fire and water

M.G. — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:01:55 GMT

Why don't we actually have the nerve to state that perhaps some of the ways people in Hurricane Katrina handled themselves and their surroundinds contributed to their perceived 'lack of support' or the 'failure' of the nation to properly help them. Yes, the Dome was threatened and had much less in the way of volunteers and supplies. Perhaps less of a need for security comes directly from the way people conduct themselves and how much of a threat they portray to their fellow evacuees. Looting, anarchy, and selfishness played a huge part in the Katrina disaster, and we were all helpless but to sit and watch. It was a disaster of unprecendented proportion, that cannot be disputed. But to continue finger-pointing and name-calling and downright imagining government involvement in an attempt to do away with a certain minority group of people is as ridiculous as survivors from either disaster competing to see who was more devastated. Get on with recovery and repair and stop trying to out-pathetic each other. We're all out here sending help! We're a nation of blamers, lawsuit filers, and dependents. Bad things happen and we recover. It's not always a competition or a reason to find blame. It's also not all a racial situation or another reason for reverse bigotry.

As different as fire and water

Eileen, PA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:02:04 GMT

I found the statement that California is a wealthier state that can make or break a candidacy offensive! Why must everything be looked at politically? How about saying this is a terrible natural disaster and the difference between Katrina and the fires is that the people of California took responsibility for their own lives and well being, while the people of New Orleans waited for the institution that has provided for them their whole lives: THE GOVERNMENT!

As different as fire and water

Gary Dohanich, New Orleans, LA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:02:27 GMT

Americans take great satisfaction in clinging to their illusions about New Orleans as shifty and backward. The reality is that the events of 2005 were monumental, a natural diaster that became biblical in the wake of federal incompetence. The catastrophe in New Orleans cannot be compared in any manner or form to the tragic wildfires in California. Californians will recover quickly from their loss, primarily because they will have the resources that many New Orleanians lack to rebuild their homes and lives.

As different as fire and water

Diane - Washington, DC — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:02:30 GMT

I'm just beside myself with petty for someone who said that the residence in NO had time to get out but didn't. While some CHOSE to ride out the storm, there were a lot more people who wanted to leave but couldn't for various reasons. They didn't stay in NO because they wanted to, they had no way to get out. All transportation stopped and you had the elderly who were unable to leave or whole families with no way to get out. So stop with that "they chose to stay" bs because it's not all true.

I'm highly upset that they called the people of NO refugees but in California they are evacuees; what is the difference between the two? Because it's California not some poor ninth ward in NO?

We all know that California has this "status" title associated with the state and that automatically guarantees they will be treated differently. I only hope this is not true.

While you can't compare the two because California has more fires than NO has hurricanes. . .but when you denigrate a city of people because of their location, you look just as ignorant as you sound.

As different as fire and water

Leslie Craft, Laurel, MS — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:02:39 GMT

Thank you for your article. I feel a great loss for the people in CA; I hope that you can rebuild your communities quickly. However, I feel insulted that some are comparing Katrina to the wildfires. I am a Mississippi girl and we are often forgotten about in the news when someone speaks of Katrina. I'm sure it's because of the "bigger, better" story that unfolded in New Orleans. While I feel for anyone that was in the big easy during Katrina. You weren't the only ones and you didn't see video of us screaming at the government or looting. Kudo's to you Californians for acting like civilized people.

As different as fire and water

reece notley — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:02:46 GMT

I live in San Diego. There is no way that you can compare what's happening half a mile from my house to what happened in NOLA. The people of New Orleans did everything they could with what they have. They should be given kudos. We were lucky in California. Due to the nature of how the fires hit, we were able to move people out and get resources in. New Orleans did not have that chance.

Kudos to our firefighters worked to save everyone's homes and the police and emergency crews who maintained order and insured everyone's safety. We are eternally grateful for the level of service that ALL of us have gotten.

As different as fire and water

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:04:55 GMT

I have not seen or heard reports of people in Cali raping and stealing from their neighbors. I honestly feel that a lot of the problems post-katrina were a direct result of the community that was affected.

As different as fire and water

Eman — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:05:13 GMT

U know Im reading these responses and it amazes me how we look at thing from a cultural and economic point of view. It still brings out ignorance. I lived in san diego and the aras that got hit by the fire has a lot afluent people and its fire not flooding. Yes race and economics have a lot to do with it. We know that New orleans has way more poor people and lower income folks when we know that San Diego is far from a very poor area knowing that the cost of living there dwarfs New orleans. Im am happy that people did help each but they tried to New Orleans also. There is no comparison but in analyzing down look down on folks.

As different as fire and water

Brian, Del Mar, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:05:53 GMT

Why are you comparing natural disasters as to which is more horrific? Does it really matter? This is debate is a mockery onto anyone that has lost during these tragedies… a pure disgrace…

As different as fire and water

J Garcia — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:06:31 GMT

The only one's comparing the two disasters is the news media. Anyone with common sense knows there is a big difference between a hurricane and a firestorm. Now that we know the difference why isn't there more local resources to help fight fires in the future. We were lucky the Santa Ana winds died down. If we two C130's based here to respond quicker or a couple of more fire trucks. Isn't cheaper than having too pay the damage after the fire (over a billion).

As different as fire and water

P. Greene, New Orleans, LA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:07:45 GMT

There is no comparison between the two. New Orleans, pretty much entirely was destroyed, and under water for weeks. These California towns are pretty much still functioning as usual. A small portion being affected. My city flooded again Monday due to RAIN, I live and work in Uptown NO and we had 2' of water on the street. I digress, being in the Q stadium with people able to come and go and being surrounded by water in the Super Dome for days are two totally different situations. Of course people are behaving differently, heck,they have massages, more than enough food and clowns for heaven's sake! They could even leave and go to the local McDonald's for a burger. There was no McDonald's open during Katrina. Give me a break!

As different as fire and water

Mark Rappaport — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:08:18 GMT

Martin, you did a nice job intricately comparing disasters in a piece that tells us all not to compare these disasters. Nevertheless, you are right that the two situations are entirely different, but I am offended by your implicit argument that the Superdome mess was somehow justified and had Qualcomm Stadium had worse conditions, we might have seen the same reaction. What we saw is how people can work together and think of helping others rather that just who can help them. People in California have been through worse in the past and will be in the future and my guess is no matter how similar the comparison of the disaster may be to Katrina, the similarity will end there.

As different as fire and water

San Diego, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:08:32 GMT

The only people who compared this to Katrina was the national media. The citizens of Southern California, including San Diego, never did. What is the point anyways. "I suffered more than you did." Throughout human history people have suffered through natural disasters, but for some reason people only feel a need to compare to the most recent past. So, if this is game of comparisons, New Orleans was tragic but not close to the tsunami. Now who has suffered the most? All are tragedies and all of the victims deserve sympathy and prayer.

As different as fire and water

Lily — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:09:34 GMT

Had the govenment not failed New Orleans in the mismanagement of the levees, almost NONE of the death and damage would have occured. New Orleans was a disaster simply because of the levees. The often overlooked Mississippi Gulf Coast is where the true wrath of the storm hit and wiped out many towns along it's Gulf waters. Neighbors helping neighbors stepped up to the plate even before the last winds subsided not, waiting for any governmental handouts.

As different as fire and water

R Phoenix, AZ — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:10:33 GMT

Although both are certainly disasters, they cannot, as Mr Savidge rightly points out, be compared. The key elements in a disaster are electricty and communication of information. California has had both, while Katrina and the flooding destroyed key infrastructure. Try going days on end without electricy in stifling heat and humidity. Lets not forget that Katrina was not just a New Orleans event either. Many thousands of homes and businesses were lost across multiple states.

As different as fire and water

Mary Lou Horrobin — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:11:28 GMT

No New Orleans was not on watch a week early. No one knew where the storm was headed until a couple (like Fri to Sun)days prior to landfall and storms do turn last minute. There were no empty modes of transportation waiting for people that refused to leave. I was there. I know. The only similarities are the loss of life, home and such.

As different as fire and water

Jane Doe — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:12:42 GMT

It hurts me to come across this way, but I can't help myself in this situation....What happened in CA is a real honest to God shame. Homes were burned to the ground and people lost everything. I think, however that it let's officials off easy to simply say, "LA is no New Orleans." We know this. We know the mistakes that were made. STILL, TO THIS DAY, NOTHING IS BEING DONE IN NEW ORLEANS!! People are still displaced. Businesses are not being reinvigorated.

We don't want to be in the position of comparing miseries...but which community needs help most? And why hasn't their government stepped up to resolve this inequity and save New Orleans and bring it back to its previous 'glory?"

As different as fire and water

Scott T, Norman, OK — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:12:51 GMT

California is no katrina because there are too many white, rich, pro-war snobs in southern california to ignore for this corporate welfare white house.

As different as fire and water

Lynn Rizzo — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:14:12 GMT

Thank you for putting in writing what I've been thinking all along. The people in CA had cars to drive themselves away from their homes to safe areas, whereas, the people in LA depended on public transportation of which there was NONE. Big difference when you have insurance and money.

As different as fire and water

Carla, Tulsa, OK — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:15:29 GMT

How come no ever mentions Mississippi? I drove through Gulfport a few weeks back and it was just wiped out, but everyone talks about New Orleans like it was the only place destroyed. What about the people in Mississippi?

As different as fire and water

Bob, San Diego, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:16:41 GMT

No comparison. Most of central San Diego untouched and never lost power with ideal weather. People still going to work in half of the city. Only the south and north sections were affected. Cell service and Internet still up. Remember in NO the fiber cables broke and there was no cell, Internet, or phones. People were driving their BMWs out of the evac areas to friends or expensive hotels or 2nd homes. They also have home insurance and most own their homes. NO a little different!

As different as fire and water

Danielle-San Diego, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:16:43 GMT

I also think this article is right on. The comparison of the events is like comparing the wealth and power of CA and LA and there is no comparison. CA is use to having natural disasters all the time and has more funds and aid available during tragic times. As I have always said-there is the state of California and then the rest of the US. CA is in a world of it's own.

As different as fire and water

Janell Horton — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:17:01 GMT

Let's not overlook or minimize the obvious: the people affected in Katrina were poor and black and many didn't have the financial resources to leave. The fire victims in San Diego are well-off and white and can get in thier cars and drive away. There is no comparison. And blaming the Katrina victims as not being proactive or helping themselves during the flood is wrong. People in Katrina did not even have their basic needs met...food, shelter, water, clothing, medical care for the sick and injured. See how sane you stay when you are denied these essentials and are watching people die around you and you're having to live in your own and others' excrement. I'd be looting beer and the pharmacies! The social structure and niceties of society break down when people are denied basic needs. I'm glad the fire victims are getting the help they need but lest we forget "the greatness of a nation should be judged by how we treat the most vulnerable in our society".

As different as fire and water

Gerry Korkin, Cincinnati, OH — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:17:18 GMT

Well put article. Katrina meant 250,000 people had to travel hundreds of miles to Houston or other cities. So. California has thousands of places to house people within 5 miles. If 900,000 were displaced with an average of 3 people per household, it meant 300,000 households had to be evacuated. If only 1300 were destroyed, it is .0004%. Don't compare the two. And the news sources must report this as well. Yes the fire was devastating, but most of it was barren land. Only a very small percentage of people were affected with actual loss of property.

As different as fire and water

Daniel, San Diego, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:17:47 GMT

You are absolutely correct! The two cannot be compared.
In San Diego, the moment disaster struck and began to unfold, the mayor and emergency personnel were available and on the job. In New Orleans, the mayor went to a fancy dinner the night before, and the next day, blamed everyone else for the problems.
In San Diego, when people were told to evacuate, they listened to law enforcement and safety personnel, and did so. In New Orleans, they ignored the government warnings and then blamed the government when they were trapped.
In San Diego, people patiently waited in line for services and only took what they needed. In New Orleans, they all screamed, complained, and then looted their neighborhoods.
You are right – the two are different. San Diego, (99.99% of which are NOT rich or celebrities) showed character, dignity and personal responsibly in a crisis; New Orleans…not so much.

As different as fire and water

S Wilson, Cedar Rapids, IA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:19:01 GMT

It is by the grace of God that all evacuees, in New Orleans or CA, have made it through.

As different as fire and water

Michelle, Pensacola, FL — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:20:22 GMT

its amazing to read the comments from some of these people. as a white female, i'm saddened to see that racism is still extremely rampant from coast to coast.

As different as fire and water

Cassie Ainley, Houston,TX — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:22:06 GMT

The people in California don't EXPECT the government to take care of them. They will take care of themselves.

As different as fire and water

Charles, Dallas, TX — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:24:28 GMT

Why are some of the people on this topic is so concern about the looting in
San Diego vs the looting in LA. Is that so important to you. We all know that crime happens in most poorer communities and when there is a stituation like, black out, riots and natural disasters some people look at it as a opportunity to prey on victims. People lets not inject our own "personal beliefs" and I think you know whatI me on these two tragic events. I pray that GOD bless those that lost homes and love ones in Californa and may the same GOD bless those that was hit by Katrina

As different as fire and water

Linda D Bryant, Philadelphia PA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:24:35 GMT

The immediate response of GWBush is completely different compared to his non-chalant attitude after
Hurricane Katrina.

The folks in Louisiana were poor African-Americans.
While the people in LA are affluent WHITES!!!!!

As different as fire and water

Mike Cannon, Lake Worth Florida — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:25:18 GMT

Here's the difference for the Bush administration:

White People, Red State

Black People, Blue State

As different as fire and water

KLind — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:25:43 GMT

With regard to the comment of G Fletch "I love you people that don't live here commenting on how this is no comparison to Katrina. Have you been here, or here now? do you see what is going on?"

In response: Have you been to the gulf coast of Mississippi? Have you seen what is going on? I live in Biloxi, Mississippi and see the devastation every day.

As different as fire and water

Bob Sherwood — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:29:29 GMT

People make all the difference. New Orleans people complained and waited for someone to come to make everything alright, while California people helped each other and themselves. Two different events; two different cultures and two different local and state officials. Whatever did happen to Mayor Chocolate city anyhow?

As different as fire and water

Joe Blaze, San Diego, CA. — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:30:41 GMT

How can anyone in the right state of mind would even try to compare the two? In San Diego, they were able to drive around town and help with the affected, but in New Orleans, you had to use paddle boats and buckets ( okay, so they had choppers too).

I live in the heart of San Diego, Its not as bad as the Media make it out to be. The majority of people did not evacuate because of the fire itself, it was because of the smoke.

Over 1 million people ( 1,000,000 ), ONE MILLION PEOPLE had to evac on the day I had to go to work, yet my drive was not effected by evacuees. ONE MILLION PEOPLE. That's alot of people. I've never seen ONE MILLION PEOPLE IN ONE PLACE IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.

As different as fire and water

Steve, San Diego, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:31:03 GMT

So tell me, would you rather be drowned by floods, or incinerated by wildfires? No good choices there.
San Diego had a plan for the worst case scenario- they activated it and it worked. New Orleans planned on the levies holding the water back. Once the worst happened San Diego's government activated their plan and coordinated relief efforts. New Orleans government looked around for who to blame. Fire and floods are not racist, they are blind to a families wealth or poverty. My heart goes out to everyone who lost their homes, by flood or by fire. Every family left homeless is a tragedy. The biggest tragedy is the loss of hope. That is the difference in California, we never lose hope.

As different as fire and water

Jim Popham — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:33:59 GMT

Thank you, Martin, for some very sound observations. As a displaced victim of Katrina, I can empathize with the evacuees displaced from their homes in California and especially with those who lost everything in this tragic fire. But, as you say, the scope, politics, effect on infrastructure, the heroism of volunteers (which continues in New Orleans) are very different as between Katrina and the California fires. I would question your distinguising California's preparedness because of its experience with earthquakes from Louisiana's lack of preparedness. Louisiana and New Orleans SHOULD have been prepared. Hurricanes are nothing new there. They are no more novel than earthquakes in California. We all knew that a storm like Katrina could happen, but few really thought it would happen (even in the few days before the storm), and the level of preparedness reflected that. New Orleans is the Big Easy, and it was just easier to forego the sort of preparations that might have saved lives and property when Katrina struck. Hopefully, the big one, an earthquake akin to Katrina in damage potential never will expose a similar attitude and lack of preparation in California.

As different as fire and water

lyn bailey, Pearlington MS — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:35:21 GMT

Being a resident of the often forgotten Mississippi Gulf Coast, please let me clarify: Hurricane Katrina was the size of the entire state of Texas! When we left work that Friday, all we knew was that the storm was in the Gulf of Mexico (not that it was headed directly for us). California has been evacuating neighborhood by neighborhood for over a week, not 500,000 people in less than 48 hours!

As different as fire and water

John Doe — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:35:54 GMT

I am glad someone finally acknowledged the politicians flew in their fancy helicopters after the trouble had past. It was the volunteers on the ground that did the work, not the government. I worked at Qualcomm and the Government was more of a hinderence than a help!

Bottom line:

People in NO stuck their hand out and many still have it out looking for something for free.

SoCal, and most of the Gulf Coast (MS Al GA and FL) solved their own problems.

Nuff said

As different as fire and water

NJH — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:36:15 GMT

But remember, the fires are still burning.

As different as fire and water

Kraig Smith, Las Vegas, NV — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:36:28 GMT

What I've read mostly so far on this post is the same neo-conservative rhetoric over and over "People of New Orleans didn't help themselves" "Californians didn't wait on anyone else to help" So on and so forth. The simple fact is that there was almost a 24 hour response to the fires in Southern California by the government and a inept, delayed 5-day response to Katrina victims in New Orleans. The differences are night like night and day. A majority of the population in Southern CA is white, New Orleans predominately black. Yoga and meditation sessions are happening in at Qualcomm, while people had no access to water, ventilation and food and were dying at the badly damaged Superdome. Money, race and influence definitely had something to do with the different responses to the two disasters.

As different as fire and water

Chloe, Phoenix — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:37:21 GMT

Lou Torres wrote:

"the people in California took care of them selves along with help reveived and the Stadium didn't look like the Dome did, nobody is going to have to sanitize the stadium."

The people of CA took care of themselves? They got a reverse 911 call and were told to leave immediately. What exactly did they "take care" of? Many were lucky enough to know people nearby whose homes were not in the fire line. The people of the Gulf Coast had no such resources, because Everything was flooded. Look at the neighborhoods now in CA - one house is charred, but next door might be fine -- it was NOT like that during Katrina. Everything was flooded with no utilities -- including the Superdome. The reason you won't see QualComm Stadium needing to be sanitized is because there are still working toilets, running water and most importantly, no one is dying and decomposing on the floor.

The ones who "took care" were the heroic firefighters. The people of CA only had only to walk outside their front door and jump in their car to escape. Hardly the same as wading through human feces and bodies, no? Face it - only large amounts of aid coming from OUTSIDE could help.

70 years of living and you're that self-righteous and ignorant? I feel sorry for you. :(

As different as fire and water

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:37:49 GMT

awwww all the rich people and hollywood stars lost their homes in a fire. Go to your other 2 vacation houses to live if you need to.... others do not have the luxury of doing so.

As different as fire and water

PJ — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:37:55 GMT

Well said Martin.

Please let me add - loss is loss. Whether your home is flooded or burnt to the ground. What makes it greater in some areas is the numbers of those hurting.

Sick and tired of those words used to split us all - rich, poor, educated, stupid-dumb, race, religion, politics - the human spirit and soul is truly defined in times of need. Nothing breaks down barriers faster than our desire to reach out to others - as we here in CA did when Katrina hit - how fast could we get there and what could we do on an individual basis. Have no doubt the good people of New Orleans would do the same. Doesn't need to be in person - a thought sent is fine with me/us.

What bothers the absolute hell out of me is watching our government stepin for the photo op - a hug for the cameras - kind of like a bad haircut - you've got to live with it - your hairdresser nods in agreement and moves on to the next customer - soon forgotten - hollow words.

It takes each one of us to put one foot in front of the other to move forward - each of us meeting on some ground - at some point - some where. We - individual Americans - moving as one instead of comparing catastrophe to catastrophe - pain is pain, loss is loss. All real - all humbling - all doable - Damn - this is OUR loss - Katrina, socal, tornadoes in the midwest and we've got to remember that.

As different as fire and water

San Diego — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:39:51 GMT

Weird, I didn't see any report of San Diego residents shooting at fire fighters or helicopters. I haven't seen any pictures of San Diego law enforcement looting stores/houses along with other looters.

I wonder why that is?

As different as fire and water

Jeri Thomas Cincinnati, Ohio — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:40:46 GMT

I agree with you completely. I was watching the news and seeing Bush hugging these poor people, and thinking there is no comparison here to Katrina.Most of these people are celebrities or wealthy and more than that they have to have been aware that they were living in a place where there are fires and earthquakes. I do not have much sympathy for them.

As different as fire and water

Nick, Ohio — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:41:12 GMT

Thank you for your sane perspective, Mr. Savidge. Katrina was a far worse catastophy. I an saddened by people affected by both disasters but Katrina destroyed so many more lives with many more people lost to that horrible storm and the aftermath. The govt. response to Katrina was appalling and immoral. It should never be repeated. And, we are still waiting for justice to be served to those who lost much, if not everything, from the Katrina fiasco, and it's been over 2 years since that storm occurred.

Let's hope and pray the relief to the people in California will not be delayed. Let's hope and pray that those still waiting for relief from Katrina will get what they rightly deserve to go on with their lives.

As different as fire and water

D. Lilly, Jackson, Mississippi — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:42:55 GMT

Katrina.
No power, store's open, businesses closed, people could not drive 10 feet because of water and destruction everywhere, supplies could not get in, people could not get out.

Callie fires.
People drive 2 miles to a differennt part of the city and it's business as usual.
The city is not destroyed, businesses are up and running, restaurant's, hotels, supplies are all at the people's fingertips.

There is no comparison to a hurricane that whiped out an entire region from the Mississippi/Alabama coast to the Texas coastline and fires that are basically located in different places leaving 90% of the area untouched and unaffected.

As different as fire and water

Bob, Yorba Linda, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:43:11 GMT

Right! Let's keep letting the Louisiana state and local officials off the hook. Local people were the force behind dealing with the disaster in California.

As different as fire and water

Pat Flynn — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:43:25 GMT

Let's set the record straight! Both are tremendous disasters with huge soial and economic consequences for each area.
All the discussion about insurance is also relevant. It is perfectly reasonable for an insurance company to assign rates based on risk. Living in a flood plane carries higher rates than living away from a flood plane. Both sets made the personal decision to insure for the risk or not. Those deciding not to insure the risk-carry the risk. Remember that those living in New Orleans were still in a flood plane-irregardless of the discussion re: Army corps of Engineers.
The telling difference is the way the local governments handled each situation. That is the job of the local, state government. You don't call Uncle Sam when yur house is on fire-you call the fire department.

As different as fire and water

Ara Rubyan — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:45:03 GMT

Perhaps someone has already pointed this out, but New Orleans was not destroyed by the rain or the wind -- it was destroyed when the levees broke. That fact alone casts an entirely different light on what happend before, during and after the hurricane blew across the Gulf Coast.

No similar situation exists in California.

As different as fire and water

K, Temecula, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:45:21 GMT

You know whats just sad about all of this...we are sitting here, comparing which disaster is worse when the only thing that matters is that they both happened and are still happening and instead of fighting about this we should help one another out to the best of our ability. Katrina happened and it was awefull and I did everything I could at the time to help including praying. Now the fires are happening and instead of pointing fingers, I would suggest doing everything in our power to help just the same. Also, we are not all wealthy people here in California and just in case you havent noticed, one of the largest fires is on the border of Mexico...yes, I can see ALL the WEALTHY people living on the streets! You should be ashamed of yourselves!

As different as fire and water

Wayne Engle, Madison, IN — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:45:30 GMT

Sorry, but I have to think that you're trying to alibgi for the abysmal failure of local officials in New Orleans, and of the local population, to heed warnings of the approaching hurricane, and take prudent steps to save themselves. Both groups were heavily black; the people who did save themselves, but lost their homes, in California, were mostly white. Who is self-reliant, and who takes the attitude that it's the job of "the man" to look after them?

As different as fire and water

Ben Williams, Clewiston, FL — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:46:11 GMT

Well done, how can we begin to compare a city that lost everything - businesses, electricity, water, sewage, road systems - including those belonging to the common citizen to those belonging to police, firemen, doctors, on and on. Everyone had no where to do to get help. California indeed lost life and property, but there was a base to go from and to build from.

As different as fire and water

Skip , Baltimore MD — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:46:19 GMT

The City of New Orleans and it's leaders had days to prepare for the coming disaster. Southern California did not. However the leadership of the state of California has come through for it's citizens.

A frequent visitor of both I can tell you that New Orleans had it coming. Every person in NO would always talk of when the big one hits. It has and the massive corruption throughout the leadership of New Orleans and the rest of Louisana abandoned it's citizens because they weren't going to get their take. 1500 police officers walk of the job because they weren't getting their take. Now with billions of federal dollars they are sure to come back.

Both natural diasters are horrible, but when you elect leadership with direction, compasion, due diligence, Intellect, and a moral compass that understands between right and wrong, it will always be there to help you. Louisana should take a good hard look at California, and encourage it's leadership to follow it's lead. That's what it was elected to do in the first place.

As different as fire and water

Sarah Wallace, New York, New York — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:46:44 GMT

You know what the difference is, Katrina affected mostly poor and Black people who are of no consequence to this government, the fires in California affected the rich and white. Guess how long it will take for those affected by the fires to get their homes built and lives back together.

As different as fire and water

Don, Chester, VA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:46:45 GMT

Compare? No.

But it is encouraging to hear a common cord that local, state, and national resources are making progress in support of the affected residents and natural resources.

Time will prove or disprove theses observations. My thoughts and prayers are with all.

As different as fire and water

Johann, Columbia, MO — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:48:21 GMT

The vast majority of citizens in New Orleans acted appropriately and dealt with the complete lack of basic human services morally and decently. Some criminals who exist in every big city in the world took advantage of the situation to loot. That is not a reflection on the culture but rather on the reality of cities.

But I would ask everyone here how they would act and feel if for days on end they were packed in with thousands of other people without water, a bath, food, care for their children, medicine, a real place to sleep and fearing for friends and pets along with the certainty they have no house, job or real positive outlook for the future.

Would you really say "well, I don't need any help from the government, I will do it all myself"? When your bootstraps are under filthy floodwater, it's kind of hard to pull yourself up by them.

As different as fire and water

Champ Nash, Berkeley CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:50:45 GMT

Very well said. I am very happy someone in the media has stepped up investigated this dichotomy. This is a completely different disaster and a much smaller one. The biggest difference being the locations. New Orleans was hit the urban areas head on where many people were unable to escape in time. San Diego has fires in suburban and rural areas where the people are prepared for this type of tragedy and are able to leave. There were massive fires just four years ago so they what to do when and can expect it. As a native San Diegan I grow sick to my stomach hearing people bash the poor residents of New Orleans as they complement themselves on how much of a greater community they are.

As different as fire and water

Tomy, San Diego, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:51:03 GMT

I live in San Diego, and even though I have never been to New Orleans, I can without a doubt say that Katrina was MUCH worse than these fires. There has been substantial damage, yes, but the fatalities have been lower. So far there have been 7 deaths, and I do not think it "grossly unfair." If you look at the people who have passed, there have been 6 senior citizens all 80+ years in hospitals and nursing homes. They died because they were ready to die. In regards to the 7th individual, I believe his death was due to the fact that he did not follow instructions and evacuate. The fires in Southern California are not a tragedy. They are unfortunate, just as they were four years ago (almost to the date), but we will recover, again, just as we did four years prior. New Orleans, however, suffered substantial damages from katrina, an event that nearly destroyed the entire city and will be remembered for many years and be an import part of Louisiana history.

As different as fire and water

Jacqueline Grant — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:52:34 GMT

The difference is how the federal government treated democrats in a democratic state . It kills me how they say we have to much stuff offered to us . I dont care that there was water. The same should have happened in NO at the stadium . Those people should have had water , food , blankets.
Like the reporters said if we can get here why cant supplies .
Because Bush wanted those democrats to suffer while he insatlled his experiment plans to relocate all the poor people right out of that state.
And thats a fact !!!!!!!

As different as fire and water

Donald, Bogart, GA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:53:18 GMT

Thank you Martin Savidge for this story.

The power of nature is as different as night and day from one place to another. I live in North Georgia where the devastation takes on a different look than California or the Golf coast. It hasn't become a disaster as yet but it's looming on the horizon with no solution in sight but to wait, hope and pray for rain. We won't lose our homes and may not die from lack of water but I see the common connection to be human suffering. In our case from a silent Mother Nature. These disasters do bring out the best in most people which still makes me proud to be an American.

As different as fire and water

Carol T. LaRose, LA. — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:53:36 GMT

I don't see people in front of news cameras crying about how no one came to help them. WHY???
Because these people were poor and didn't have transportation. We evacuated and it took us 12 hours to get to a town which usually takes 6 hours.That's how bad the traffic was. We were stuck in bumper to bumper traffic, and left when we were told to evacuate. We passed people walking, carrying bags pillows, children. Their should have been buses to get our poor people out. People shouldn't pass judgement unless they have been in the same situation. Louisiana is ranked #1 out of 50 for having a corrupt Government. This is our fault? People still haven't recieved their HOME loans that were promised.
WHERE did they money go?????

As different as fire and water

Kerry, Parkville, Mo — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:53:48 GMT

I have a mortgage so I have to have insurance; how is it that some people don't have insurance?

As different as fire and water

Michele, Oklahoma City, OK — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:54:04 GMT

It was stated a few times that people evacuated when they were told to. That's not how I understood it from what I read on the news wires. Yes, the majority of people probably did evacuate when asked only because they could see on the TV how bad it had gotten for other areas. But intially, there were reports that fire fighters were having to spend time helping rescue people rather than fight the fire. Maybe if those folks earlier on would have gotten out so that the fire fighters could have gotten in, the fires wouldn't have been so bad.

As different as fire and water

Los Angeleno — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:54:15 GMT

The most important thing of all is not to try to figure out who is superior, but try to apply the lessons of what works, and avoid the practices that didn't. There is a lot to be learned from both disasters; let's develop a national knowledge base from these sad events, and not condemn nor praise either CA or NO in excess. It's time to learn.

As different as fire and water

M.P., OKC, OK — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:57:14 GMT

People, let's stop comparing the two. Two different situations in two differnt areas. If anything, I am sure that people took their lessons from Katrina and allowed them to be better prepared because they realize that you can't count on anybody but yourself.

If we hadn't learned anything from Katrina, that would be the true tragedy.

As different as fire and water

Greg — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:57:37 GMT

I agree with this article. There is no comparison between both of the tragic events. The only thing Im disgusted with is the response. Because when smaller number of life is lost, yes horrific as it is, the response was so much better. I persoanlly think its what Kayne West said about Bush. "George W. Bush dislikes black people." I agree, why would Bush waste his resource and his time with a place where most of the population arent as wealthly and tend to vote democratic. It took Bush almost a week to start reacting to Katrina, which is pathetic. And what is worse is the problem still isnt fixed. And we as a country arent helping and ignoring it. Why, Id personally hate to see what is happening in cali. I mena my uncle is one of the firefighters who risks his life. But I wish that the media and country would recognize what little help New Orlenas still isnt recieveing. Im all together fed up with this country.

As different as fire and water

Kelly — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:58:10 GMT

Fire and flood are too far apart to be compared. I know that fire and shaking earth are part of life here and I'm here to stay.
It's not over...the mud will slide in the burn areas once we finally do get some rain.

As different as fire and water

Tim, San Diego — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:00:31 GMT

I feel for the victims of Katrina and what they went through. And I don't think the difference in outcomes can be explained in a singular way. However, I keep thinking about how much time the NO people had to react and didn't. I woke up at 5:30am, heard the evacuation notice (voluntary), woke my family, packed my valuables and left by 8:30am. Three hours is all it took me to leave with everything that was important. It seems that we've been conditioned to move quickly because of recent past fires. I wonder what the outcome would have been if a mini-Katrina had hit NO four years prior...

As different as fire and water

Chris, Washington State — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:00:40 GMT

Some of my relatives were among the "wealiest" enough to evacuate before Katrina hit - they are not wealthy. BUT LETS KEEP IN MIND 2 THINGS:
1. IN N.O. - THE BUSES SAT AND SAT AND WERE NOT USED TO EVACUATE PEOPLE - A 15 YEAR BOY HIJACKED ONE FROM THE PARKING LOT OF THE STADIUM TO TRY TO GET PEOPLE OUT, BUT BY THAT TIME THE WATER WAS TOO HIGH.
2. CITIZENS OF THE NINTH WARD IN N.O., AND THOSE IN SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES WERE TOLD TO EVACUATE, BUT WITH WHAT?? MOST HAD NO CARS, AND/OR NO MONEY FOR GAS OR SUPPLIES, OR FOR A HOTEL ROOM ONCE THEY GOT WHERE THEY WERE GOING. IT TOOK 8 HOURS TO DRIVE LESS THAN 30 MILES THAT SUNDAY AFTERNOON. I DON'T CARE WHO YOU ARE, YOU ARE GOING TO NEED MONEY TO DO THAT - FOR FOOD, FOR GAS, FOR EVERYTHING.
Also, trucks arriving with supplies from other states were turned away upon arriving in N.O., in California, there has been no problems receiving supplies and assistance.
That said - where are the evacuees of California going to live for the next several months until they are able to rebuild??? They're not all rich!

As different as fire and water

Don Murphy, San Diego, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:03:10 GMT

There is no comparison between Katrina and the fires. We in San Diego HAD SOMEWHERE TO GO. We could get away. And we hand the means and transportation to do so. Yes, the fire was huge but it didn't engulf hundreds of square miles and destroy our basic infrastructure. And finally, we are grateful for the federal assistance but to be quite honest I have more faith in the local officials and my neighbors.

As different as fire and water

Mike, San Diego, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:03:16 GMT

True, the overall level of destruction is vastly different. New Orleans has had plenty of practice with hurricanes, and knew exactly what to expect if one should hit them. The performance of the local authorities (taken as a whole, obviously there were some exceptions) was horrible. And the main culprit in the levee situation was the local boards whose jobs it is to maintain those, not the Army Corps of Engineers.

As different as fire and water

Esther CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:03:32 GMT

There is no comparison, but I do pray for all those people who lost their home from both of these disasters. Rich, Poor, White, Black, They are all humans and are all in our prayers.

As different as fire and water

Dante' , Pembroke Pines, FL — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:05:40 GMT

Mr. Martin Savidge
WELL SPOKEN!!! Thanks for not letting the truth escape the true facts. You have always been one of my favorites at NBC. GOOD JOB!!

As different as fire and water

Anne Magnolia - Thousand Oaks — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:07:13 GMT

Certainly Katrina's aftermath was a disaster, unparalled. However, N.O. had an inept mayor. He and his administration had no such plans for any kind of disaster and if they did - were not deployed. And they re-elected him. Many of their civil servants - Police and Firefighters walked off the job during and the days following Katrina.

Millions of people all over the US and the world donated clothing and money to your cause - I was one of them and did it gladly. And I understand much of that did not end up where it should have.

I too am tired of hearing about the rich, famous, white "folk" in California. And that we receive priviledges as no other state. We in California have people in place who can implement programs needed to save life and property - and don't need to wait for US Government aid. A lesson we've learned also.

California has every nationality - and survival or not has nothing to do here - anyway - with color or economics. Rich, famous and not so rich and famous were evacuated as everyone else. Celebrities and rich are certainly in the minority in Calif. In spite of what the rumors are. And by the way alot of nice people exist in the realm of rich and famous. Doesn't make them undesirable people. They've worked for what they've attained.

The worst sections of N.O. unfortunately were the poorest, and inhabited by many people of color - but using the race card to identify their lack of help and later needs - has long outlived it's usefulness. Had your local and state governments been prepared - there would have been a different scenario. Those who spend so much time complaining - what have they done to better themselves and their community? Except to expect a handout?

I applaud our fire fighters and all those connected with our on going devastation - and wish every state would elect the proper people to see that this is a nationwide opportunity.

As different as fire and water

Chris, San Diego, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:07:31 GMT

There are many factors that make these two disasters different but the largest is the fact that one was a hurricane combined with severe flooding and the other was/is a fire. As disasters go, floods are much more devastating and widespread in their effect than fires.

It is horrible that we've lost 1200+ homes and I feel deeply for those people but honestly they can get in their car or sometimes even walk to an area unaffected by the fires and get shelter, food and assistance. If you were in New Orleans that wasn't an option.

As different as fire and water

Ron, Oceanside, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:07:47 GMT

No matter where you live, take care of your family and yourself and don’t rely on the government or anyone else to do it. Create your own plan incase of an emergency. Everyone whining about race and financial positions in both disasters needs to stop. If you’re poor in this country there are tons of ways for you to get an education and make a better living. Stop waiting for someone else to take care of you and get on with taking care of yourself!

As different as fire and water

Lou Anna Fifield — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:10:33 GMT

Is any place in the world immune to a disaster of some sort? Who is the government? We the people. I believe we have individual responsibility to prepare ourselves, our families, our homes for whatever disaster is probable in our individual communities.
Congratulations to prepared families & communities and those who jump in and help whoever with whatever is needed!

As different as fire and water

TWiggles, Seattle, WA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:10:35 GMT

You cannot compare the disasters. One, Oct 2007 Fires, has infrastructure avaialble, the other, Katrina, had no infrastructure avialable after the storm struck.
They are two different types of disasters. Could Katrina have gone better, YES! Could Oct 2007 Fire response have gone better, more than likely California will impliment improvements after they perform a leasons learned when this is over.

This is not about social economics, this is about preparedness and implimenting disaster plans! For some reason Local Disaster plans were not implimented in one and they were in another...that is where you have to start looking not at the Fedral Government. If you have to wait for the Fedral Gocernment to act then your Local area is dependent on Big Government and not local community to dig itself out of a mess!

As different as fire and water

Tim, Denver, CO — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:11:13 GMT

Reading some of these comments simply made my stomach turn, it saddens me to see how out of touch with reality some people are. I praise the citizens of San Diego who can recoignize the EXTREME difference between the two disasters. I think this quote from one of the first storys MSNBC reported on the situation sums it nicely:

"Susan Nuttall sat in her black Mercedes in a cul-de-sac just off the Pacific Coast Highway, saying she had fled her condo just below Pepperdine. "We're all scared to death, and we have nowhere to go," said Nuttall, 51, still wearing a bathrobe and holding her Chihuahua."

As different as fire and water

Deborah, Los Angeles, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:11:47 GMT

Absolutely no comparison! Many of the fires in CA were started in affluent areas by arsonists, not by Acts of God. And, the Katrina flood didn't differentiate between rich and poor. The only similarities are the criminals who started the fires and the criminals who failed to maintain the levees.

As different as fire and water

Dee, Metairie, LA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:14:42 GMT

I evacuated for Katrina, but let me inform you many couldn't afford hotels or don't own cars. Many thought the storm would turn as the past 4 storms had (Ivan and Dennis to name just 2) THere are many other reasons not even named. I can assure you there is much more fear in people of fire than rough weather and the "possibility" of flooding. So they left in California.
Insurance companies didn't want to pay on wind claims here either - and we didn't flood (thank god)
We fought hard and long to get fixed without even having flood waters in the house. THen find a contractor for the amount you get paid. It was a joke. We got blamed for living here - knowing it can flood - Do we blame them for living in California knowing it can burn or quake? NO
I will donate to help those misplaced and not BLAME them for living there. I am an American and in natural disasters (big or small) we are all in it together. It would do us all good to just shut up and help one another - no matter what color or income you have or what someone has gone through.
Be a good citizen and quit worrying about others and throwing blame. Get the task at hand done. That is all we asked here (still waiting).....

As different as fire and water

moe, monroe — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:16:54 GMT

I think that the individuals that believe the people in New Orleans could have left didn't know the situation there. New Orleans has a robust transit system and most individuals either did not have to own a vehicle because the bus was a cheaper alternative or could not afford the costs of a vehicle because they could get anywhere in town on that system. When you tell someone to evacuate their town and their sole mode of transportation was the transit system, tell me how you can leave a city when you don't have a vehicle? Also, without a viable emergency transportation system in place, how would/could they leave?

It's detestable to hear individuals say that the opportunity to leave was available when the public transportation system on which was the backbone of the city disappeared?

However, efficient government leaders (federal, state, and city) should be elected to combat problems of this sort. Lessons should be learned from any disaster but we miss 2 of the most important lessons while bickering on these forums...being color-blind can solve any problem in this nation and, historically, a nation divided will not stand.

As different as fire and water

Cindy, Dallas, Texas — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:17:54 GMT

Brilliantly and succinctly said. This should be required reading for all politicians and government officials.

As different as fire and water

GFletch — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:18:44 GMT

To Klind response to my message.

In response: Have you been to the gulf coast of Mississippi? Have you seen what is going on? I live in Biloxi, Mississippi and see the devastation every day.

Then move.. No one is forcing you to live there. Take some personal responsibility. Heard of insurance. I have mine.
Yes, I've been there before and after. It's not much of a difference. Now if you don't mind I have to see if my house has burned down yet. Now leave me alone!!!!

As different as fire and water

DC — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:18:48 GMT

The paralel between NO & Katrina and Cali & the fires would be clearly drawn by reading the Asopic fable "The Ant and The Grasshopper". One prepared and self reliant the other unprepared and dependent. There is a direct correlation between success and level of willingness to take personal actions to improve one's life situation.

As different as fire and water

Mike Smith, New Orleans, Louisiana — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:19:35 GMT

Thank you thank you thank you for this article. It should be required reading for every talking head on the 24/7 news channels.

Both disasters are horrifying for those affected. But you cannot compare the total destruction of over 9000 square miles in Katrina to the partial destruction of over 700 square miles in California.
You can't compare returning to your home in three days to returning to your home seven weeks later.
The death toll in California will never reach over 2,000 as in Katrina.

You need only look at the satellite images of Katrina and compare them to the satellite images of the wildfires to realize you cannot compare an apple to an orange.

Sadly, too many media professionals will continue to politicize these two disasters, and too many politicians will pound their chest declaring themselves the victor over nature. Sadly, they all believe what they are saying.

No region is without the threat of natural disaster.
We need to stick together in all cases and do what we can to help those not as lucky as we are. I learned that lesson after Katrina when I found myself asking "What did I do to deserve to be homeless? Why do I have nothing left?"

Thankfully there were many helping hands, not handouts, to lift me out of that darkness.

As different as fire and water

Anthony, Ranch Bernardo, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:22:05 GMT

Mr Savidge,

I strongly agree that it is wholly unfair and a disrespect to both communities to make this comparison, yet I continue to hear the media point out similarities.

From what I know of how Hurricane Katrina affected the Gulf Coast area, I only know from the media coverage. I am guilty, as many others are, of watching the news ignorantly asking why the people of New Orleans didn't leave earlier, didn't help eachother more, or take steps to prepare themselves. I apologize for my mistake. Last March was the first time post-Katrina that I returned to the Crescent City and I was angry. I saw that the destruction caused by that storm was more horrific than the media ever could have shown, and that our government should have used every resource to "Protect and Defend" our people. Those that stayed didn't make a call to a friend and ask if they could stay on their couch as I did here in San Diego. Their friend had no home either. They were stuck, stranded and wadding through water, sewage and death. None of us in San Diego have been asked to board a buss and leave our familes behind, or put our children on another buss heading who knows where. There is no list of missing family mambers being handed out. No one that was not in Katrina can make a fair comparison.

At the same time, Please don't discount the events here in San Diego. The loss of lives has been minimal yet tragic. The, The crime has been minimal and the community support has been strong. We have the means and are taking care of each other. Be proud of what we have done for each other. As the Media reports that a shelter is in need of supplies, cars are lining up to drop off donations. We are not better or worse than New Orleans. We are just in a different disaster and we are handling it the best that we can.

As different as fire and water

Jim — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:22:15 GMT

You know, there's a reason so many people have moved out west from other parts of the country. There are just as many poor people out here as back east. You also have to realize that San diego is the 6th largest city in the US and it is waaay bigger and more populated than N.O. I think overall it isn't every man for himself out here and it will never be that way, except in some parts of Los Angeles. Life out here is just different. people take care of each other for the most part. Sorry you are jealous...

As different as fire and water

sweet 100,Portland, OR — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:25:01 GMT

Both disasters are tragic. The only comparision alowed should be how much warning (time) did both parties have. Seeing the horrendeous fires - floods, I must say the people in the South have the mentality of "you owe me", "you need to give me" "you need to rebuild for me". That was very evident on the reality show called "swapping mommies (?)" where Caucasions, middle class and not wealthy, went to help the flood victims. They were approached by a black lady asking them to go and help the victims. They drove from a different town and did so. The lady "recruiting" the family was never seen helping the victims-hmm, where was she? The cleaning etc - something, that could have been done by the occupants was not done - nothing to help themselves - even so they had adult children whith cars/trucks. During the clean up, which took place on hands and knees, the occupants sat outside in the lawn chair,doing nothing! There was not one Black person there to help their brothers and sisters. Why is that? Why did their kids not help after work - all kids had jobs. I have seen this so many times. It is the Minority Caucasions that goes out and helps in any disaster; I have never seen the Black community help the Caucasion community or their own people. I just don't understand this. Don't wait to be helped, get off your butt and do something!

As different as fire and water

Bruce, New Orleans — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:25:27 GMT

If you've never lost a parent then you don't know what it's like to experience that complete sense of loss and emptiness.

Same is true with Katrina. Unless you were personally affected all you have is speculation as to what you would do or what should have been done.

If you were TRAPPED in a building for DAYS with no electricity, no running water, no food and 90+ degree temperatures, what would you do? How would you act? Answer: You don't know until you are in that situation.

Over 1.5 million people evacuated New Orleans before Katrina. The majority who did not could not because of the lack of transportation.

They have claimed for years that the BIG one (earthquake) will hit the West Coast. Have you left the area? When it does hit and your whole life is destroyed we will see who's ctying then.

As different as fire and water

James G, Chula Vista, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:28:39 GMT

The two disasters can't be compared. However, there's a different mind set from the two regions. During the Cedar and Paradise fire in October 2003, there were no reverse 911 calls, there was some delay in getting the fire fighters to the fire. But we still were able to evacuate people. There has been a lot of lessons learned. You can second guess city officials in New Orleans for not getting the urging residents to evacuate. You have to put some of the blame on those who did not leave and were ultimately "stuck" in their homes. No one in San Diego knew this fire was coming just as they didn't know about the fires in 2003. San Diego did a great job, just as New Yorkers did a great job during 911.

As different as fire and water

Cassie, Gulfport, MS — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:28:54 GMT

So many of you are blaming the people of the Gulf Coast for not leaving before the hurricane. That has nothing to do with the damage that Katrina brought. Whether people stayed or not, thier homes are gone, businesses are gone, roads and bridges are gone. Staying or leaving had nothing to do with it except the people that stayed and lived could guard their homes against looters.

As different as fire and water

Russell V, Baton Rouge, La — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:31:17 GMT

AW in Missouri: I am not mad at you for your comments about nobody evacuating New Orleans or saying that evryone was raping and killing each other. All you know is what the national media told you, and those guys never left the dry area of downtown near the river to do their "reporting". In fact, over 80% of the population of New Orleans evacuated and about two million people evacuated all together. There is absolutely no comparison between these two events.
And what were they supposed to do with the buses anyway? Line them up along the federal government's levees to try to keep them from failing?

As different as fire and water

Mississippi Girl — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:32:46 GMT

What happened during/after Katrina was...think of the worst thing that could ever happen to you. That's what it was. It was the unexpected and the unthinkable. I never could have imagined the things that happened as a result of Katrina. Imagine dropping a bomb on thousands of people. Imagine loosing all communications, transportation, and all necessities to sustain life. Imagine the chaos and survival instincts that kicked in. Imagine looking at your neighbor and feeling nothing but threatened because you don't know them or what they're capable of. This is what Katrina was. There absolutely is no comparison to CA. CA simply is not experiencing the same degree of devestation. I evacuated. That was an easy and smooth process for me (although it was not so easy for some). Returning home was the hardest thing I ever had to deal with in my life. There were many moments that I wondered if it was worth it to stay. I kept thinking all I have to do is leave. But this is where my family is, this is where I grew up, this is where I got married and had children, and this is where my home is.

As different as fire and water

Jean Bean — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:37:09 GMT

I'm black and I don't think race had anything to do with Katrina or San Diego, however, class absolutely does. San Diego is city that boasts median housing price of over half a million dollars. Meanwhile, New Orleans doesn't come close.

The fact of the matter is wealthier people have the power, the infrastructure and money that affords them stronger ties to government. It only make sense that they've been able to get more help, quicker.

If New Orleans was as wealthy with as many international, government, and technology business as San Diego we would have seen a different scenario play our a few years ago during the crisis.

This countrie's government responds to money. Fact. Just follow the elections.

As different as fire and water

Rick, Lafayette LA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:37:24 GMT

NO LOOTING IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA? You gotta be kidding me? Remember the Rodney King verdict? What was that? a street party?
You can't compare the fire and the hurricane. As for the stadium comparisons: surround Qualcomm with fire; take away the food and water; allow no one in or out for 4 days and generally just ignore them. Only then can you make your comparisons.

As different as fire and water

Valerie McDonnell, New Orleans LA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:39:09 GMT

Being from San Diego, and living in NOLA for the past eight years, I can speak from both sides. I evacuated several times as a kid growing up in SD, it was very terrifying then as I am sure people are STILL going through today.... and yes, Kudo's to CA! But- those homes on fire in the hills are most certainly at least middle class, if not mostly $500k +. NOLA not so much! Many are renters, many worked in service industry, and unfortunately hand to mouth. Certainly the education and class issues a paramount in the discusion of resourses available to NOLA residents. Also, many were afraid to leave BECAUSE of the knowledge that the basest of our residents actually stayed for the very opportunity to loot. Our entire city was broken, all stores, all streets, all utilities- free rein for the local terrorists. Many people stayed to protect what they had worked hard for- and to prevent those few "Thugs" (as our famous and futile Mayor labels them) from looting. I am one of the fools who stayed for the storm, having a house 100+ years old and on high ground (which did not flood, thankfully). I saw first hand the "thugs" load their guns before the wind stopped on Monday morning. But this was just a tiny fraction of who was here. By and large, people of all race and class helped each other. No military, police, information or ANYTHING was apparant for days..... No phones, no announcements,.. just people coming from the lower 9th, kids at hand, sopping wet- going the only place they knew- the dome. So sad. It is terrible that people remember so vividly the very bad elements that were covered over and over in the news. I know personally of hundreds of strong, resourceful, and amazing stories from residents of all ilks.
And the insurance thing is true..... people here are not getting covered for their losses- many paid for years to receive a nary a cent. Shameless........
They say the city has 76% of population back to normal- but from first hand, they are not the same residents who lived here before the storm- they are new, single, young people. Tens of thousands are gone or living in trailers. and THANKS to all the VOLUNTEERS who continue to come to our area and help.... it is still a disgraceful mess (I still don't have a grocery store near, and shop miles from my house).
Miss ya San Diego, sure am proud of your people and proud to call you my hometown!
I am staying in NOLA to be part of this amazing story. You really get to know people by how they respond to danger and stress. Unfortunately the press has embellished on the "bad" and not the "great" people who live (and in that statement I am not talking about our Mayor, our D.A., DollarBill Jefferson, or FamilyValue Vitter- somethings here are just nuts) in this historic, dynamic and fantastic city.

As different as fire and water

Elle — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:43:09 GMT

Ok seriously, Boo on people still complaining about NO. We were given plenty of notice, when your told to evacuate you do it. Things can be replaced. Everyone who survived can rebuild there own lives the same as others who have. Where are the stories on them?

As different as fire and water

Gina, Montrose, CO — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:43:55 GMT

The first notice that Katrina would hit New Orleans was on Friday. Evacuation was ordered and the contraflow implemented Saturday afternoon, and hundreds of thousands did evacuate, many more than stayed.
When Katrina made landfall at New Orleans, it was a Category 3; it passed with little effect in the Big Easy.
It destroyed the Mississippi coast.
It was later when the levees broke that New Orleans flooded.
Those who evacuated the low country in Louisiana and coastal Mississippi had to travel 100 or more miles to reach safety, and safety was relative - people died 100 miles inland as well. After Katrina passed the roads were impassible, and there was no water or electricity. And that was 150 - 200 miles inland. There were no new supplies coming into the area. Fuel was rationed and lines were miles long. And that was 100 miles inland. It took two weeks to restore electricity and phone service to many, and much longer to restore it to others. And that was 100 miles inland.
The people outside New Orleans did take care of themselves. They cleared the roads themselves. They shared their food and water supplies with their neighbors and they performed their own rescues. This without electricity, phone service or water with temperatures in the upper 90s in high humidity. They didn't wait for the local, state or federal government, they took care of each other.
Inside New Orleans, the flooding from broken levels caught many unaware, as the storm itself had already passed. Many were trapped in their homes and escaped through their attics. They were surrounded by flooding and were airlifted by choppers or boats or made their own way through contaminated water to the Superdome. They may have had adequate supplies in their own homes, but they didn't have it in their attics. The Superdome toilets were backed up, and there was no electricity. Any food and water was quickly depleted.
They weren't in a position to help themselves.
Volunteers with water were turned back from the area by armed National Guardsmen. People trying to leave the Superdome were ordered at gunpoint to return.
There's no comparison.

As different as fire and water

GWL — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:44:20 GMT

I think we should compare. Compare and learn.

Not so that Californians can gloat nor to belittle folks at NO, but so that when another disaster strike another community, people can compare and decide how they want to response.

Hopefully they response like the folks at SD.

As different as fire and water

Krista, San Diego, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:46:10 GMT

As a SD resident who has witnessed 2 major fires, I have to say that lessons were certainly learned from the earlier one (Cedar 2003)that made the evacuations in the later one (Witch 2007) much smoother. However, there seems to be a misconception that the whole thing went smoothly. It did not. Much of the fire damage MAY have been prevented had the military, who was ready, willing, and able to fly at a moment's notice, not been prevented to help due to the beauraucracy of a subcontracted company (CalFire) who had jurisdiction over the SoCal area saying "it's too windy to fly". I call BS!!! A couple of military choppers with Bambi buckets went out Monday, DESPITE harsh weather conditions, to drop in excess of 50 bucketloads of water on the Harris fire. Santa Ana winds affected BOTH fires, but the outer perimeter of Metropolitan San Diego has to burn up because CalFire is too scared to fly? Then let the big boys in the military do what CalFire is not willing (or able) to do. Private contractors should have NO SAY in what our tax dollars are used for!

Additionally, while the Red Cross offered displaced residents a quick place to go during the evacuations, it was less than one full day of the fires burning before they claimed they ran out of supplies. To this, too, I call BS! They happen to be in a state that is known for its wealth, but I have to take the credit I would normally give this agency in a time of crisis and hand it over to the very generous people of San Diego who acted as friends, neighbors, and compassionate, concerned citizens. The Red Cross, in my view, was trying to bump their donations in a time of crisis. Shame on them! I'm disgusted by their blatant abuse of generosity in such a crisis.

As different as fire and water

Dan Frias — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:48:16 GMT

I live in Southern California and can honestly say anyone who is even trying to make a comparison about this disaster and Katrina is WAY off base. I see comments attributing the differences between these disasters to the affected communities, citizens or to the wealth of Californians affected. WRONG. The difference is that people who were affected by the fires got in their car and drove about 10 or 20 minutes to the unaffected areas where the could enter a portion of the city COMPLETELY unscathed by any disaster. Suppose they were hungry and disaster supplies had not yet been delivered...what could they have done? Well, they could have gone through the drive through at McDonald's. Try that in New Orleans during Katrina. The city was not flooded, and it was really only the areas on the outskirts (in the less developed areas) that were affected anyway. Downtown LA, San Diego, and the urban parts of Orange County were not affected in the least. These two events have nothing in common and it is utterly absurd to try to compare them. It has NOTHING to do with the people, NOTHING to do with money, NOTHING to do with anything except for simple logistics. These fire victims were never further than a short drive away from safety...they were not stranded in the middle of a flooded city with no way out.

As different as fire and water

AFL, Memphis, Tn — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:48:23 GMT

Elements, played a key role in this disaster it was water caused by rain, in New Orleans, high winds and fire,in California. Elements do cause these things to happen, Start reaching out to help these people and stop trying to lay blame. Disaster brings us together to help one another lets start now. Sitting on the NEW MADRID,earthquake country.

As different as fire and water

Kathleen Noack Fallbrook, California — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:48:46 GMT

After reading the comments and being a Houstonian too I'm still perplexed at how many people do not realize what really happened with Katrina. New Orleans was built in a bowl and anyone especially any goverment agency should have had a better plan AND continually educated the people of New Orleans to get out and why. We began being teached hurrican safety in elementry school. Did you see the people of Houston waiting to be told twice? I don't think so. I am now a resident of Fallbrook and although I know my house still stands I must say the reverse 911 call only had to be made once. I had to evacuated with my dog and cat alone because my husband is out of town and my adult son is a firefighter but it was orderly, people were considerate and quick to help anyone in need. Yes, the rest of the country should pay close attention and learn something. Thank you to all the firefighter and good job people of Southern California glad I moved here 23 years ago.

As different as fire and water

lLinda Thompson, Pearland, Texas — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:50:18 GMT

Of course people will compare these two disasters, it is a natural reaction.
I don;t think anyone means to diminish the severity of Louisiana, or the Gulf COast but just because the loss of homes and people who have lost everything is not near the magnitude,the fact is there are many who HAVE lost thier homes.
I think the main difference is not only the response time to the disasters but in California, you are looking at a totally different socioecnomic group. These people own thier homes, had vehicles they COULD evacuate with. In New Orleans, so many of these people HAD no cars or nowhere else to evacuate TO. It is not speaking disparagingly of the people of New Orleans, to me, it is simply a fact.
Keep in mind, I , too, live in the Gulf Coast area and could be in the same situation as ANY of the people who have lost thier homes. I rent and we would be lyucky to get our animals and get to higher or dryer ground.
I simply empathize with ANYONE who has to go through these natural disasters.

As different as fire and water

kay — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:51:51 GMT

Even if people could have gotten out during Katrina, it would not have minimized the destruction. And many could not. It is a very poor state in comparison to California, with less money & fewer services available. The state was ravaged by floods. I had to laugh when someone compared Hurricane Andrew to Katrina, the aftermath of Andrew was also botched by another Bush, the present one's father. To this day I can not understand how air, food & water was not air dropped during Katrina by the federal government. It was disgraceful. Inhuman & UnChristian. No electricity, no water, and no immediate aid. I think California's Lt Governor said it best.."We don't want bush coming here for a photo op making promises he won't keep, like he did in Louisiana. " Funny how the Netherlands could rebuild after devasting floods & yet we cannot, because the money has to be spent on Iraq. Its like shooting ourselves in our own feet. Thank you Mr Savage for this article, there is no comparison between the two.

As different as fire and water

Laura NM — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:53:25 GMT

I was born and raised in SoCal and I know that growing up you are taught what to do, and how to handle emergency situations. I believe if you teach people how to handle these situations they will know how to handle both the situation and themselves.

As different as fire and water

John Doe, Seattle, Wash — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:53:49 GMT

Gee....I wonder how many Caliphonian's will all of the sudden want Mexican cheap labor to rebuild their homes...just like those in New Orleans did?

Or would they be willing to pay the exorbitant wages of some citizen insteaddidnt think so either.

As different as fire and water

Marilyn, Oceanside, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:54:38 GMT

I live in the San Diego area and watched the developing Firestorm 2007 on television like many of my neighbors and am happy that I was not directly affected as were many of my friends. I agree that comparing this disaster to the Katrina does not rate equal footing and trying to do so doesn't serve any real useful purpose but this is what people do after an event of these proportions. I have seen it before. I think we would better serve our communities by not participating in this type of banter and blaming. The positive examples that have been shown thusfar hopefully will contine to overcome the negativity that seems to be emerging. As I was watching the fire develop I noticed that a home that I had owned 20 years ago was among those that were destroyed. Even though 20 years had passed, it gave me pause. I wish only the best for those that have lost so much.

As different as fire and water

STar — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:56:43 GMT

This article is right on.

As different as fire and water

SRM, Arligton, TX — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:57:02 GMT

The nature of the disasters is different in nature, scale, and duration, yet each requires an amount of preparedness and proper action from those involved. Californians have had recent experience with fires and seemed to have understood the eminent danger and need to evacuate when told. The local communities responded quickly, taking on responsibility for managing the situation as best they could. The state moved resources in to the area promptly to attempt to reign in the destruction and loss of life. Californians should be commended for their attitudes and actions when facing such a crisis with so little warning.

Looking back at a prior disaster - hurricane Rita - Texas residents also went through a mass evacuation process as hundreds of thousands left Houston and surrounding areas in advance of the storm. Granted, there were some logistical problems with transportation routes and fuel supplies. But people coped and demonstrated sound actions and attitudes in general.

Now, on to Katrina. It was definitely the largest scale natural disaster to hit the United States, with a huge concentration of damage in New Orleans. But it seems unnecessary to have had so much loss of life when there was ample warning given to evacuate the city. As Californians seem to have been prepared for the fires, New Orleans residents should have been prepared for a hurricane - meaning food and water supplies and an evacuation path - since they have more experience with such storms. The stories of empty school buses waiting for riders, of some city police abandoning their posts, and of Louisiana state officials not calling the National Guard out promptly certainly make one question "What were people in that state and city thinking?" Katrina wiped out gulf cities in Mississippi and Alabama also, but we didn't see looting and crimes against people being committed in those areas.

Yes, the disasters are considerably different, but so has been the actions and attitudes of those directly involved. And I think that has little to do with the federal gonvernment at this point.

As different as fire and water

JoeF — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:57:17 GMT

President Bush announced a BILLION dollars in aid for Cali. What for? Burnt trees? The million$$ homes had insurance, didn't they? Or do the people who paid their premiums rebuild with insurance money and those who didn't pay premiums rebuild with our tax dollars? Oh well, better to spend it here than to destroy and rebuild Iraq.

As different as fire and water

Bob Grant, Vista, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:57:49 GMT

I'm proud of the response shown by the people and emergency services of San Diego, but another reason it is not fair to compare the two disasters is that we benefited from the hard lessons learned in Katrina and in the Cedar fires of 2003. People who might have once ignored evacuation orders have seen what can happen if they don't leave when told. The improved response by the federal government is in some part due to their failures in Katrina and the desire to do better. The massive security presence at Qualcomm and in the abandoned burn areas has to have some connection to the looting and lawlessness seen at the Superdome and elsewhere.

As different as fire and water

richard. Phoenix.az — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:58:34 GMT

Big mistake, NO., disorganized, a Gov. & a Mayor in NO. couldn't get enough of there own bus drivers to move the people out of the area with 5 full days warning that a level 5 hurricane was comming, much less the people couldn't get themselves out with that much warning. No the level of distruction between both cities is nowhere near the same, not even close, The big difference is the people and government in Ca. is organized for emergencies and the people and government of NO. and LA. Couldn't comprehend 5 days notice and figure out what to do.

As different as fire and water

Mrs Bodnar — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:59:19 GMT

Reading these comments I have to ask, Has anyone been to So Cal? Its not all white and you dont see movie stars on every corner. There is a diverse group of PEOPLE. Everyone needs to remember we are all people not defined by the color of our skin but by our character.

As different as fire and water

Janet Shelton, Scappoose Oregon — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:01:12 GMT

A lot of these comments show that people who are poorly informed still feel free to offer their opinions. I live in San Diego and people there did stupid things, such as refusing to obey the guidelines for landscaping and not retrofitting their houses for fire safety. I was trying to get out my nephews who were staying at my house. One has epilepsy; the other has mental problems and everything got worse when the fires began. My epileptic nephew couldn't walk out because he is incapacitated after a tonic clonic seizures. My neighbors had evacuated. I finally was able to get their brother to drive down from LA to get them. Thankfully, the fire fighters were able to fight the fire on its flank and the fire stopped 10 houses away. You Monday morning quarterbacks are going to say:

It's their fault they have epilepsy/mental problems because surely some drug or doctor could fix it.

They should have had a reliable car, not rely on public transportation.

It's their fault they couldn't get help to get out. They should have planned for this.

Yeah, right. And those people in New Orleans who don't have cars should have walked out during the hurricane. Please! My nephews and many of those people have few resources. They are disabled or elderly. Sit in your armchair and blame others. When the disaster hits you, you'll see how hard it REALLY is to manage in the face of problems like those in New Orleans.

As different as fire and water

Roger Ward — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:02:50 GMT

Friends of mine from Washington State and Texas repeatedly tried to get into NO to help immediately after Katrina, and the Feds would not let them in. They sneaked into the area and helped save lives and property. The same friends had immediate access to California and provided assistance immediately. Remember that there were many Black citizens who tried to cross the bridge into white areas and they were threatened with shooting by white policemen. The point of the article was that there is no comparisons, but many smug Californians and others on this thread have tried to force the lie that Californians are self-sufficient while NO residents were not. The only way to compare is if Los Angeles and/or San Diego was suddenly cut off - no roads, no phones, no air drops, no outside assistance for over a week. Let them then compare if there would be looting, hospitals running out of supplies, lack of food and water, etc. The article is correct, the damage in California is horrible and I hope for swift recovery, but there is no comparison.

As different as fire and water

Sandy, Pasadena, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:06:29 GMT

I completely agree with J, MG, Chris, and Mary Louis. The difference in outcome is directly related to how the disaster victims reacted and conducted themselves. You can't live your life expecting the government to bail you out for everything.

As different as fire and water

Amanda Craig, Rockledge, Florida — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:07:37 GMT

Very well put. You actually took the words out of my mouth.

It makes us realize how lucky WE are. Pray for those that would pray for us.

As different as fire and water

response to K, Temecula, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:08:37 GMT

K said:

awwww all the rich people and hollywood stars lost their homes in a fire. Go to your other 2 vacation houses to live if you need to.... others do not have the luxury of doing so.

reply:

Are you serious? Do you know how stupid and uneducated you sound? We are not all rich movie stars here and for you to even think to say such a rude, inconsiderate comment is just plan ignorance! We are all people no matter what are so called "status" is. Your character is all that matters and you have done a great job at portraying what a person sounds like with a lack of character and class.

As different as fire and water

Dave Baltimore, MD — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:09:05 GMT

There are things in any disaster that one can compare; even if the disasters themselves can't be compared.

My perspective comes from what I've seen on TV and my experience of helping with the recovery, as a relief worker (Volunteer), after Hurricane Andrew and the Midwest floods.

What I see from the outside is that the people affected by the fires are civil to one another and they try to help each other as the Katrina victims outside of New Orleans.

The biggest problem with victims of New Orleans was that they were not civil. They were out for number one and had an expectation that they were owed whatever they needed. Even though I enjoy helping others in need, there was no way in h3ll I would have gone to the Big Dangerous (New Orleans) to help those folks. Yes it's harsh to say, but I am one of those people that expect people to be civil and try to help themselves and their neighbors; not expect a handout.

Ok... I better stop now because I'm probably going to get in trouble, but I'd like to give Kudos to those in the San Diego area and those people from Mississippi. Great Job Folks!!!!

As different as fire and water

jake — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:10:21 GMT

It is wonderful to see pictures of President Bush consoling these grieving people; can some one please point me to the pictures of him consoling a couple of those grieving people from New Orleans?

As different as fire and water

Tom, San Doiego, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:10:43 GMT

I quote from UCLA BB Coach John Wooden; "Failing to prepare is preparing to fail..." The lack of leadership in N.O. from the local Government was stagering...

As different as fire and water

Carol, Summerland, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:14:46 GMT

From Jeri Thomas Cincinnati, Ohio:
"...Most of these people are celebrities or wealthy and more than that they have to have been aware that they were living in a place where there are fires and earthquakes. I do not have much sympathy for them."

The above comment is full of ignorance, jealousy and hatred!!! Shame on you, Jerri Thomas of Ohio. Why you choose to live in OH? (tornado and severe storms struck OH yearly). Show compassion for your fellow citizens regardless of rich or poor, race, etc....

As different as fire and water

Rob — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:15:41 GMT

Yeah Bush learned his lesson after Katrina and immediately flew to San Diego to "help out". Come to think of it he also flew to San Diego for Katrina. Couldn't miss out on that fundraiser!

As different as fire and water

Ivette Draper — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:15:52 GMT

I live in Poway (San Diego area), and I was, like many others, evacuated from an apartment complex; others from trailer parks. I am not wealthy, as many of my neighbors who had to leave their homes. When we recieved the evacuation notice, the fires where often far away from us; however, we all heeded the authorities warning without question and left our homes immidiately. This made it a lot easier for fire fighters to deal with the fire and save more lives and homes. Many could say leaving our residences for days was a complete loss of time, effort, and money; but we are confident we made the right choice in taking these warnings seriously.

As different as fire and water

Carol, Summerland, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:16:53 GMT

As different as fire and water

paul elepert — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:19:45 GMT

Agreed that the disasters are not the same. But there's some clear differences in California's favor. Kathleen blanco is not running things, the mayor of L.A. isn't telling the whole community to go to qualcomm then doing nothing to provide services, half the corrupt police didn't go a.w.o.l., hoodums haven't taken over the streets of vacated property, citizens listened to the authorities and evacuated, and more.

New Orleans root problem was a lack of leadership, corruption locally, and local incompetence. The feds didn't help, but they had never been asked to at such a magnitude at the local level. People need to take responsibility locally.

As different as fire and water

Tim, Calgary — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:20:08 GMT

Good article.
However, those that claim victims of katrina were ignorant should get their heads examined.
I have not seen anybody call the fire victims refugees!
The truth is always hard to swallow, katrina victims were simply poor folks and they happen to be mostly black, is that a fluke?
There has and there will be earthquakes / sunnamis in california ,has anybody evacuated because of that at this current time?

In my opinion katrina was a disaster cause of the economic background of the folks there (poor people).
By the way, the hundreds of millions (billions) of dollars financial incentives that was set up for the businesses that were victim of katrina, where did it go to? I saw white business owners in california, new york and other states applying for these incentives and getting millions of $'s for their businesses, while the poor victims of katrina are still homeless.

There are enough black people in american prisons to make a country, that's not a fluke as well. The system has been designed for their failure.

THE TRUTH IS HARD TO SWALLOW. everyone in america has made racist decisions, and will make them in the future, be it white, green or black, but when people make racist decisions to harm, oppress and systematically destroy another race, there will be more katrinas until the oppressed fight back

As different as fire and water

Derek David Las Vegas Nevada — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:21:42 GMT

Of course race has a lot to with it.don't fool yourselves.I didn't see Bush huggin' no black folks when they were wadin' thru that water....search yourselves...you think O.J. would be the most hated man in America if he had killed two black folks and goten away with it? The story would have been buried LONG ago...

As different as fire and water

bea Cutler — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:21:59 GMT

After reading the above articles it is obvious racism, intolerance,bias and lack of compassion is alive, well and fuctioning with some in our country. What happened to ........."do unto others"?

As different as fire and water

realistic in Seattle — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:23:16 GMT

I agree with this article almost entirely. What I have the hard time with is so many people agreeing with most N.O.'s victimization mentality that the Federal government was supposed to step in and fix the situation, or save them from the oncoming doom, or that it was the Army Corps fault because they built the leviees too weak, or that global warming caused these events (way to use this topic to throw in your shameless plug for global warming). Did we forget that we are Americans and that our nation was founded upon ideals of hard work and ingenuity? Did we forget that those who are able should lend a hand to those who aren't? Have we become so weak that instead of learning from our mistakes and then taking responsibility for our actions, that we instead look at a situation like this (Katrina vs. the SoCal fires) and then come up with excuses like money, race, education, etc. for why these two were different? I believe the real issue here is that these events were both tragic, and also very very different - BUT, the mangnitude of the devastaion of Katrina was far greater in scope than the SoCal fires. Regardless, for whatever reason people want to guess to, the areas affected by the fires will no doubtly be rebuilt and back to normal far faster than N.O. - maybe the "victims" learned from previous mistakes, maybe they were better prepared, maybe fires aren't as bad as floods, or maybe people are just getting down to work and dealing with what's happened instead of blaming others while sitting and waiting for their rescue by the Feds.

As different as fire and water

DR, So.Cal — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:23:37 GMT

It amazes me the "IGNORANCE" of some of the comments. I am glad that America thinks only rich people live in California. Some of the people that live in Ramona, Poway, San Diego are just average hard working people, like anyone else in this country. We as Californians happen to be blessed with a wonderful state. We did not have a 5 day window to get out, as I heard many people on the TV from New Orleans say they were not leaving there home. Most DID have a choice. We in California are not going oh poor us, we are picking ourselves off brushing off the ash and helping ourselves and each other.
It is time our society stops blaming everyone else and we take resposibility for our own actions.

As different as fire and water

Kelly Williams, Bakersfield, California — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:23:58 GMT

<As far as rebuilding... Fire is covered by home-owners insurance ; floods are not. It's much easier to rebuild when your insurance companies are willing to help pay for it.>

Wrong. Floods are covered if you're smart enough to buy flood insurance when your house is below sea level.

As different as fire and water

Lisa, San Diego, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:24:38 GMT

Alex:
I agree, you absolutely cannot compare these 2 disasters. But to make a blanket statement insinuating that those effected in CA are rich, have insurance and money saved, does a grave diservice to those suffering here. There are MANY low income families left with nothing as a result of these fires, and they face a difficult and long road ahead.

As different as fire and water

Dave, Carlsbad, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:25:11 GMT

Night and day. I don't have the numbers, but the California fires overall affected one of the most affluent populations in the country, vs Katrina which to a far greater degree one of the overall poorest -- and that in my opinion is the biggest reason for difference in response and attitude and ability to recover. Also, with regard to readiness, for those not in this area, I'll remind you that, just as I don't remember the history of problems in other parts of the country, this just happened here in San Diego three years ago. In fact, living in this area, I can tell you that it happens every few years, just with damage to a greater degree as the population grows. The fire three years ago, I'm fairly certain, helped prepare the area and emergency planning for the response this past week, and resulted in far less loss of life.

As different as fire and water

Jeffrey Salazar, Escondido, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:25:58 GMT

I live just west of the Witch creek fire. I was awoken by a phone call from a friend asking me if I was getting out - at that point I was busy watching the news - a house burning in Rancho Bernado - and was blissfully unaware the the hill behind my house was also on fire. Within 15 minutes I had gathered my cats, my passport, a couple days clothes, and my 2 most precious belongings, and raced out of there. I did not have time to prepare, I simply got out as fast as I could and ended up sleeping on cold concrete with my cats at my office, using a couple towels I had in my trunk as a pillow.

I have lived in both Louisiana and in California. To say that the people of Louisiana were not prepared is false - hurricanes are an annual threat. Grocery bags are printed with hurricane tracking charts and instructions what to take and what to do. Having an evacuation plan is drilled into every school child's head from an early age.

While the scope of the disasters is far far different, I think a lot of the difference in response is that the people of Lousiana have been trained to rely on their incompetent local governments too much, while in California we have comparitively competent local governments, which we rely on far less.

As different as fire and water

Maria, Escondido, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:29:31 GMT

How can you even compare the two disasters. I'm sure you are snug and warm in your bed at night!! We are still ONE nation and all AMERICANS!!! Have some compassion man!!! Granted not many have lost their lives, but please don't put these two on the same page.

As different as fire and water

R. P.G. CA, formerly of Bay st Louis Mississippi — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:32:15 GMT

Many here are missing the point. It doesn't matter if you evacuate to a stadium or not. Its a chance you lose your home anyway. Evacuation doesn't really make a difference if you lose everything anyway.

As different as fire and water

Angie, New Orleans — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:32:44 GMT

Someone wrote: "Why hasn't anyone mentioned the behavior of the evacuees in California as compared to those in Louisianna? They have a large role in how things go. I don't see people infront of news cameras crying about how no one came to help them. I haven't heard anything about crimes being committed in the staduim or poor conditions."

First, let me point out that many people evacuated New Orleans. There aren't people in CA on camera crying that nobody came to help, because they HAVE gotten help, thankfully. People in New Orleans sat in the unbearable heat, without water, food, security, etc., and next to corpses, for DAYS following a hurricane that flooded 80% of the city. Waiting for someone to help. I would cry on camera for help too - are you suggesting that you wouldn't? There aren't poor conditions or security concerns in the stadium because the stadium has electricity, plumbing that is operating, and the ability to have a monitored, organized security system. The Superdome was without power and the city was a complete disaster zone - without communications, etc. YET, despite the scope of the disaster, the vast majority of those stranded in New Orleans helped each other and there was remarkably little violence given the breakdown of law and order. Don't blame the people stranded by our government for their plight. Isn't it interesting that our president is on the ground in CA, when all he could do for New Orleans after Katrina was fly overhead in his plane? At least he could have air-dropped some food and water, eh?

As different as fire and water

mark marice, murrieta, ca — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:38:44 GMT

I'm sure that there may be a real and genuine point in here somewhere, however the need to even post this article is ridiculous to the point of being offensive. The Republicans think handling this properly will help them regain credibility. The Dems are already scrambling to spin this and make sure that perception doesn't happen. to be expected The offensive thing is that the media outlets are once again showing that they are sorry servants of their respective political parties, trying to "mold and shape" the truth to fit their agendas. Now no one reports the news, they they are more concerned with trying to manipulate our opinions, as this pointless article shows. In the end it just wastes time and insults our intelligence.

As different as fire and water

bernese — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:41:44 GMT

While not exactly the same natural disaster.. There are some observations to made here... First the people in Calf. had about one hour to get out.. The people in New Orleans had days. Knew it was coming and a lot of people choose to stay... There were buses not used to get people out.. Another thing the state and local goverments were not at each others throat in Calf.. while the governer of Lousiania and the mayor of New Orleans were... What you see today is how much smoother things go when starting with the local goverments have there act together and the people listen when told to get out..

As different as fire and water

Tim, Calgary — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:43:38 GMT

Let's put it in scientific terms....WATER can stop FIRE, but FIRE can't stop WATER.

As different as fire and water

tlofton, hornlake ms — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:46:41 GMT

Gee, it's funny how the president almost break his neck to get aid to southern californians. Yeah you have some poor and or homeless folks there also but at a far lower percent than the ones in NO. This isnt about black and white, this is about MONEY! This is so butt backwards that I can't even look at the man anymore. It took 5 days for anybody to even drop bottle water into NO. 5 DAYS while mothers watch their infants die in their arms, no food to eat or shelter from the heat that followed. There was a comment made early about having warning a week ahead of time. where were the busses to take them to a spa like shelter? Poor people cant just up and flee when they have no money, car,or a place to go. This is where the aid was needed the most, before and after the storm. We need a president who will look after all fellow americans when trouble arises, not just look after the wealthy because most of them are republicans. If this isnt a wakeup call for the poor, middleclass (if any are left) and minorities to get out and vote, then dont complain when this happens again. We'll be praying for the families and the firefighters who are working their tails off controlling this monster.

As different as fire and water

joe heron, bronx, n.y. — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:51:38 GMT

compare the photo's. how can i feel sorry for a person who has/had a castle for a home with an olympic size pool when the victims of katrina were living average lives. california will be back to normal in no time. new orleans is still a mess.

As different as fire and water

Jimmy W — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:53:06 GMT

Is there really any good purpose served in comparing San Diego fires to New Orleans hurricanes? Seems a little divisive to me. 'My problem was worse than your problem' -who cares! Let's just hope everyone learned something from both conflagrations.

As different as fire and water

Dan Dickerson, Austin, TX — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:54:26 GMT

I live in Austin and volunteered at the Austin Convention Center during the Katrina tragedy. I spent a lot of time helping the evacuees register online for FEMA assistance, search for relatives, set up email accounts, etc. I understand that not everyone evacuated from the California wildfire situation were movie stars and rich folks, but I can say with relative certainty that many of the people evacuated from Louisiana and Mississippi were very poor and under-educated. Most people I talked to and helped during Katrina didn't have insurance, didn't have transportation, had health problems, had family that didn't care about them, and were at the mercy of those who volunteered to help them. Some of the people I helped couldn't read, much less use a computer to register for aid from the government and search for their loved ones. All of you that are posting here obviously have access to a computer and know how to use it. That puts you leaps and bounds ahead of the folks displaced by Katrina.

I'm not trying to diminish the pain and suffering that people in California are going thru, but please don't put the blame for Katrina on the evacuees. It's easy to say, "They should have had flood insurance." or "They should have left more quickly." Some of them had families that lived elsewhere, but many of those families did very little to help their displaced relatives. Many Katrina evacuees had nothing and many of them had nowhere to go.

As different as fire and water

Suzanne, San Diego CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:54:30 GMT

As a citizen of San Diego and one of the more than 500,000 people required to evacuate from their home for a period, one thing I am truly grateful for is the reverse-911 system that notified people that their area needed to be vacated. As recently as the 2003 Ceder fires, people were often caught unaware and some unfortunately did not make it out alive as a result. This time, there are (so far) less than 5 civilian deaths attributed directly to the fires. San Diego learned its lesson and installed an excellent communication tool that has clearly saved many, many lives. NO would have benefited from this too, in hindsight: so many people were caught unaware of the approaching intensity of Katrina, and were left without enough time to get out. Those that remained behind, given that no mandatory evacuation orders were given or enforced, largely suffered as a result.

For those who are saying that Californians are rich and we shouldnt compare based on that, I submit to you that most of us are not rich. We are middle class, hard working, average Americans like everywhere else. Some of us live below the poverty line too. Many apartment and condominium complexes were burned out, as were immigrant camps throughout the many scrub areas that fires indiscriminately demolished. Everyone is hurting, despite the size of our wallet.

In my mind, two factors made the greatest impact in the percieved success of managing this crisis: communication (as described above) and fast-acting, cooperative LOCAL government agencies. The state and federal agencies had very little to do with it in the opening days of this disaster. Kudos to Mayor Sanders, the CDF and local fire and law enforcement officials for their quick thinking and caring responses, and to the citizens of San Diego for maintaining their calm amid the chaos.

As different as fire and water

Barbara G. Wash D.C. — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:56:25 GMT

This is very sad!! People wake up!!!! Katrina was a far worse catastrophe. It's been over 2 years since that storm occurred.
What would you do if you had nothing to eat and drink could not go to the bathroom, missing family, no one helping with the everyday things we have? We need to WAKE UP!! People were dieing while we watched it on TV. Were was BUSH ????????? Some of the people that are saying the NO should have been helping them self... they were getting people to higher ground helping mothers with children in the water.

As different as fire and water

Kerry, native San Dieagan living in AZ — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:03:07 GMT

Why is there the common misconception that everyone in Southern California is rich and white?
Even if these victims do have insurance or money to rebuild does that take away from the fact their home has been burned to the ground with nothing left standing but a charred chimney.
Should we hold it against them that they made a good investment, probably several years ago, when the housing market in California was still affordable? Is is any less devastating to have to sift through your belongings only to find what made your house a home reduced to ashes? Where is the sympathy and compassion? Does it compare to Katrina, probably not, but does it have to?

I find it convenient that everyone wants to say that California is full of the rich, white and affluent, that is until you want to complain about immigration!

As different as fire and water

William Jones, Sandy, UT — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:03:15 GMT

The biggest problem with New Orleans is not that the govt failed in it's response to a natural disaster, or that people looted and stole from one another, or even that the people with higher incomes bailed and left the people with lower incomes to suffer. The problem with New Orleans is that it is a a major metropolitan city built at the mouth of the largest river in the U.S. It is right in the path of "hurricane alley", and it is BELOW sea level. Eventually New Orleans will be destroyed. It is only a matter of time and how big the storm is. Southern California on the other hand, while most of it sits on the San Andreas fault and has horrible earthquakes and fires occasionally...has little chance of being swallowed up by the Pacific Ocean. The responses to these two events are different because their scale is completely different. Utah had a fire this summer that was bigger than all of the Southern California fires PUT TOGETHER did the Govt. fail the people of central UT by not instituting mass evacuations? No because the overall danger was not as severe. Same principle.

As different as fire and water

Mfiore — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:06:39 GMT

There really is no comparison other than the fact they are both disasters.What you can compare is the same people of this great country constantly finding fault with the federal government and communism. People need to take responsibilities for themselves and stop relying on others for help. "God helps those who help themselves." This country was founded on the pretense of "majority rules" unfortunately todays politics are everone loses.

As different as fire and water

teri garish, illinois — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:10:25 GMT

...the one thing everyone here need to do is stop and put yourself in the shoes of the victims we're analyzing here. even if i were richer than rich, my home and my personal and priceless posessions like photos and other memories are gone forever. you cant bring back your firstborns lock of hair. and if i were in NO barely making minimun wage, how could i leave when the car is out of gas, i dont have money because my bill are larger than my check and i cant even save a dollar, my family including my sick elderly mother who is on o2 and cant walk. its easy to say things like ph their rich they'll be fine, or hey, they choose to stay and ride out the storm when you havent been in those situations. forget bush ( i like to say the other f word)forget politics,forget black and white and other races. thank GOD that you've made it this far in life and quit complaining about one another. GOD bless the firefighters.

As different as fire and water

Tim, Calgary — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:11:02 GMT

By the way, some folks here are saying katrina victims are to blame for their woes....that they should fend for themselves...bla bla bla.

REMINDER: america has spent billions (maybe trillion) of dollars in iraq to help the iraqi people, and is still spending...i guess they have nothing to say about that one!

As different as fire and water

Amber — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:13:25 GMT

There ARE people in California who aren't rich, snobby movie stars you know. Not everybody here lives in Hollywood or LA, or lives in a house in Malibu... or even lives in a house PERIOD. Who has the right to say "California is getting help because they're tich"?? That's not right is it? I think the disaster we have going on here is one of division. Aren't we all Americans? Our states have boundry lines, not dividing walls.

As different as fire and water

Gina, Colorado — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:21:11 GMT

Equating the looters in New Orleans to its residents is as ludicrous as saying that all South Californians have the nature of the arsonists setting fires there.
The evacuation from New Orleans was ordered on Saturday afternoon before the category 3 storm hit early Monday morning. Hundred of thousands, by far the vast majority of residents, did evacuate before the highways were closed.
Afterwards, power, phone service and water were out for over 100 miles inland and remained out for two weeks or more. Individuals cleared roads and highways, not waiting on government at any level. They shared their resources and helped each other.
Volunteers trying to reach New Orleans were turned back by armed guards. Residents who tried to flee the city were also turned back by force. No help could get in and no one could get out.
Despite the sorrowful loss of homes and lives in both communities, thank God, the rest of the situation does not compare.

As different as fire and water

jackie kidd petersburg va — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:22:00 GMT

please dont dishonor the tragic perils of those who suffered from Katrina with those who lost homes in the calif wildfires. Not only is there no comparison between fire and water but absolutely no comparison can be made to how we treat the poor and the middleclass in this country

As different as fire and water

Patricia Pio, Escondido, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:23:46 GMT

As someone who was evacuated in the San Diego County fire disaster, I am outraged that people are referring to our economic status rather than our common sense. We did not wait to be told twice to leave our homes; we did not jeopardize our lives or the lives of the firefighters by disobeying orders; and we did not stand on our roof tops waiting for help. We helped ourselves and our neighbors; we respected the law and the authority of those in charge. We elected officials who did their jobs.
Please do not compare us to the people of New Orleans.

As different as fire and water

Sam, Sequim — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:25:29 GMT

Let us hope FEMA does not create another predatory corporate orgy of no-bid contracts as in New Orleans with billions spent and nearly nothing accomplished. $2500 to put a blue tarp on a roof is criminal as far as I am concerned. There is no doubt Mr Bush will take better care of a republican governor with a disaster, this administration always puts politics first.

As different as fire and water

K.S. Redmond, Oregon — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:26:33 GMT

TK, Portland, OR-
You surely show your NW liberal mentality. The point is very clear. NO natives were not prepared, not civil, and for the most part, expecting others to do for them what they should have done for themselves. CA has shown their astute ability to 'care for themselves' in times of need. Not to rely on the Gov't or boo-hoo in front of the camera. Nor did they start looting and terrorizing the stranded survivors. You would do well to recognize the differences of the two tragedies. One did, the other did not, plane and simple

As different as fire and water

EGipson, Green Cove Springs, Florida — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:28:16 GMT

A disaster is a disaster is a disaster! A hurricane, a flood, a tornado, a massive fire! All kill people and damage property and lives forever. Having been in a California fire and a New Orleans hurricane, and lucky enough to escape with our lives from both, I don't understand why people want to cast blame and shame instead of sympathy and assistance. In New Orleans people built below sea level and it survived as a city for more than 400 years. In California they build on unstable hills amid dry brush, knowing that the Santa Ana winds are going to come, the hills are going to slide, fires are going to start and earthquakes are going to split the earth again as they have in the past. Lets all just pray for one another, go back to the places we love as home and start again. What other options do we have, if our hearts just ache to go home, be it a million dollar mansion on a slippery mountainside or a little double wide trailer or a "shotgun house" in Old New Orleens!

As different as fire and water

San Diegan in Flagstaff — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:28:27 GMT

As different as fire and water

C. Cook, Houston, TX — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:29:26 GMT

The point of comparing the two disasters is to point out that the failure in N O was due to a Democrat Govenor and a Black Democrat Mayor. It is also to show you how uncivilize Black people are and how all they want is a handout from the government. This is obvious in the way the media has portrayed and continues to portray Katrina. Notice, you rarely see how whites were affected unless it is showing how wonderful they are doing. On the same note you rarely see positive stories about how Blacks or others in NO are doing. Oh, and by the way, approx. 80% of N O evacuated. Even if 100% had evacuated, the result was still complete devastation.

As different as fire and water

sarah jayne, WA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:38:14 GMT

"There's been such an overwhelming response from the community. There are people here in immediate need and there are people here to give. I'm proud of my city," said Tony Greco, a San Diego native and sergeant in the U.S military."
. . .I think that explains alot!!!

As different as fire and water

Patrick Kiger — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:44:01 GMT

I worked as a newspaper reporter in southern California for three years and had to cover both brush and forest fires there. I also went to the Florida panhandle to write about the aftermath of two hurricanes in 2004. As scary and destructive as fast-moving brushfires can be, I don't think they really compare to the fury of a category five hurricane, which can devastate an entire region and its infrastructure (water, power, communications, transportation). A 7.0 earthquake would be a more apt comparison.

As different as fire and water

nanci-pasadena ca — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:46:21 GMT

I agree with the article. The only comparison to be made is this is the first time I know of where so many people were displaced in california at one time. However most of the home owners will be able to rebuild

As different as fire and water

Cindy, Lake Forest, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:49:33 GMT

Hey Chris in San Jose:

If the Bay Area can handle disasters so much better than SoCal, then why are you STILL rebuilding freeways from the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake when we had ours rebuilt 6 months ahead of schedule and within 2 years of the Northridge quake? I contend that LA can out-survive the Bay Area in any disaster. Typical NoCal anti-LA ignorance...

That said, we here in CA are undoubtedly more prepared to deal with disasters than most places in the nation. We live with the knowledge that "The Big One" (magnitude 8 earthquake) will some day hit us, and we TEACH OUR SCHOOLCHILDREN about disaster awareness.

These fires are not comparable to Katrina for so many reasons. First, that our local government is not half as incompetent as that of Louisiana (nobody talks about it now, but the year before Katrina there was another hurricane evacuation, and it was handled HORRIBLY - road construction going on on evacuation routes during the evacuation, nobody communicating the best way out of the city, etc.) Second, because fires only affect SOME homes and not all, unlike a storm or flooding, those of us who are not immediately affected by the fires are in a position to help out those who are; friends and family offering shelter to displaced loved ones, local restaurants feeding fire crews, etc. And of course, it's true that our infrastructure is not as impacted, so communications, roads, etc. are in place to facilitate dealing with the disaster.

As different as fire and water

Jacqueline Haynes, Escondido, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:49:59 GMT

If you really want to know by comparison, place the fires in the southeast area of San Diego and see what responses they get. Most of the city officials, etc. live in the evacuated areas and most of the residents are well off. The poorer neighborhoods of African Americans in Southeast SD and the Latinos in the La Barrio/Logan areas aren't even mentioned in any reports. It's as if the smoke, traffic and loss of work issues they face in this tragedy aren't even a part of San Diego's problem. Who cares about them? The African american community in Louisiana still suffers. I don't think that the Governor of California or the President of the US would be in San Diego if the fires had destroyed the less prominant areas. They would probably send a colorful representative or two and FEMA would stand for Funds for Evacuees Might be Available.

As different as fire and water

sarah homer, San Diego, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:55:36 GMT

Yes you cannot compare the two. We also should stop blaming the government. If someone knows what is happening or is aware of what is going to happen they should not be so dumb to wait for someone else to help them. people just want everything to be fixed for them or to blame someone else. in these natural disasters no one can blame any one. if you know you have to get out fast. or that some hurricane is coming then do something about it. dont sit around and cry oh no one is going to help us. thats so lame. so stop crying about oh it their fault or they didnt help us. get over and do something about it yourself. this is life get over it.

As different as fire and water

George Stevens Point, WI — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:05:59 GMT

There is no comparison to these disasters. New Orleans wasn't the only area affected, the entire region was pounded and flooded; these fires cover only a small area at one time, then they move on. People flee the fire and find safety for themselves while people in New Orleans remained at home to become victims. Ray Nagin was an idiot while California has people in charge who are intelligent.

As different as fire and water

Jennifer, Los Angeles, CA — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:06:57 GMT

What about the 1500+ people who died in the Gulf Coast from Hurricane Katrina compared to the relatively low number of 10 deaths in the CA fires? That is an astounding difference and another reason why you cannot compare the two disasters.

As different as fire and water

D.Robbins Poway Ca — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:11:43 GMT

A tragedy is a tragedy.The difference is that we listened when told to leave.Evacuation means evacuate! Katrina victims had more then ample time to get out.Weeks,We had minutes,and we did what we were told to do.We did not and are NOT crying on camera putting the blame on others and expecting others to do everything for us.We rallied around each other,not stealing and killing others.Our city has been supportive and helpful to strangers.This has nothing to do with economics or race.There are plenty of poor people without insurance that have lost their homes,tons of individuals that have no money or home.Again, I belive that it comes down to heeding our warnings in a moments notice and respecting each other in a tragic time.Makes a huge difference!! I could not be more PROUD of our city and it's citizens.And our Fire fighters.Kudos

As different as fire and water

Neils, Montgomery Village, Maryland — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:12:59 GMT

Too early to judge and why should we even bother. The fact is that Cali will be served better due to all of the above, favor of race and economics. The Calis have the advantage of greater choice, which is always the case when you have more resources. Bush got there, California, a hell of a lot sooner than he got to Louisiana but who did not expect that. The crazy thing is that all those houses will be rebuilt in the same place, waiting for the Santa Ana winds and nature to do its infernal thing again in a few years if not sooner. This global warming thing needs to be taken seriously and human choice in where to build needs to adjust accordingly to avoid human loss wherever nature hits.

As different as fire and water

Carl G, Kenner, LA — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:16:56 GMT

You are correct in saying that there is no comparison between the Fires and Katrina. I feel really badly and would never belittle the losses endured by those in CA. However an entire city in CA was never cut-off from food and water for 5 days while the federal government fiddled as happened in New Orleans. Over 80% of the city was under 8 to 10 feet of water for 2 weeks due to the "Federal Flood", as we call it. The sad thing is that many people still believe the spin sent out by the administration that the people in New Orleans were to blame for their fate. People still believe that in New Orleans we had days to evacuate. Facts are that the storm was not even remotely headed for New Orleans until approximately 36 hours before landfall. Even in that short of a time over 80% of the city evacuated. It was the most successful evacuation of a major American city in history ! I wish some of these "know-it-alls" would get actual facts instead of listening only to the biased reports from Fox News and Rush.
Lastly, good luck to all who had damage to their homes in CA. We in New Orleans can sympathize with your situation. Hopefully you'll have less trouble with your insurance companies than we're having in the Gulf Region.

As different as fire and water

Jennifer Taweel, Long Beach MS — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:20:01 GMT

Everyone speaks of evacuation as it is a foregone conclusion, "Storm coming? Evacuate!" with no idea of what the logistics would be or financial burden incurred. I will be the first to agree with what happened in New Orleans was horrific and that local government severly failed these individuals, but more horrific was the national government's actions; who stood by a drowning man and said they couldn't offer help he didn't ask. I appreciate the writer's comments in regards to the "often overlooked Mississippi" . Because the Gulf Coast handled themselves with dignity they are still, to this day, forgotten when the media speaks of Katrina, whose eye crossed Waveland, MS and completely dessimated that town and those people.

As different as fire and water

jim jones — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:24:25 GMT

The real difference in the way people reacted to the disaster in California and New Orleans is the way the people think. In New Orleans the people are dependent on the government to fix everything. In southern California the people know better. If you like the way the post office and the war in Iraq is run, keep voting for these big government politicians.

As different as fire and water

San Diego, Ca. — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:29:47 GMT

You know what the difference is between those of us in California and those of you in the rest of the country? While you sit around "hoping and praying" when a disaster comes your way, we're outside actually doing something useful for eachother.
And in no way am I going to apologize to a bunch of resentful idiots for living in a wealthy state that, since many of you are obviously negligently unaware of, is home to a surprisingly large number of people who are not white and certainly do not have a lot of money. You sound just like the oppressed third world countries complaining about the U.S. as a whole all the time for no other reason than they are miserable and we are not.

Learn to stop complaining about everything and figure out how to help yourselves. And please keep your hopes and prayers for the people that need them... we're perfectly fine without useless gestures, thank you.

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Ron, Southern California — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:29:53 GMT

After Katrina, the Federal government began training local governments in the National Emergency Management System, also known as NEMS, which is used to coordinate multi-agengy responses. Where do you think they got that system? They got it from California's Standardized Emergency Management System, known as SEMS, which has been in use in California for many years. All fire and law enforcement agencies in the state use the system and are trained by the State Office of Emergency Services. That is the reason for such a well coordinated response, which comes from YEARS of PLANNING for such disasters.

As far as California being wealthier, many of the people who lost their homes work hard and difficult jobs. We're not rich by any means, we just work hard for what we have. Don't judge California by what you see in Hollywood or Malibu, that's not the real California. Disaster preparedness is a way of life in California. It is taught in schools, Scout troops, church groups, and large businesses. Every public building has an emergency coordinator.

Sadly, we will all face disaster again. California will be prepared. Will other states. Previous bloggers have been correct in their recommendation to prepare for what you face, whether it is a hurricane, tornado (those things scare the heck out of Californians), earthquake, flooding rivers or anything else mother nature throws at us. Take a little advice from the Boy Scouts, "Be Prepared"

p.s. The Boy Scout Handbook make an excellent survival guide and can be found just about anywhere.

And yes, I was personally affected by the "Slide" fire, which took the homes of many friends and the house where I proposed to my wife many years ago, along with the home her father built with his bare hands in Green Valley Lake.

Yes, California will rebuild, and it will be better!

As different as fire and water

dcb,pittsburgh,pa — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:31:05 GMT

From MSNBC Report, Chargers likely to play at home Sunday.

As different as fire and water

Jeff, Picayune, MS — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:31:22 GMT

There is one thing which I have not noticed. The insurance industry is already saying that home owners may not have enough to cover the cost of rebuilding.
I see this as a hint that they are not planning on paying for all damage.
As for us here on the Guld Coast, we had to deal with not having food, water and basics for weeks on end. I myself some 60 miles from the coast had to make daily trips of 60 miles round trip just to get some basic needes like water and ice. We had not electric, phone to TV for news for 8 weeks after. And for insurance, no I did not have flood insurance as I am not anywhere near a flood area. Had enough insurance to cover damage, but the insurance seen a way of only paying 1/8 of the total cost of damage. $48,000 damage and that was the lowest est. I was able to get and they only paid 12,000. And NO, NO help from the FEDS as they said I did not qualify for any assistance but was quick to supply me with one of those famous FEMA trailers.
The pople in CA. should be thankful for such a good response to their needs and I hope they can get back on their feet quickly.
Not like us here who are still waiting and trying to get their life back.

As different as fire and water

DR, Poway, CA — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:39:38 GMT

It is truly sad to compare disasters. Both are devastating resulting in the loss of life, property and home. A home loss is devastating regardless of socioeconomic level and cause. The fires in California is no less of a natural disaster then the hurricane in New Orleans. The fact is that California was better prepared to handle and deal with the fires. As someone who has lived in the South as well as California I have expereinced fires, earthquakes, hurricanes and floods. Lets face it, New Orleans did a poor job at dealing with Katrina. There was plenty of time to evacuate and formulate a disaster plan. Plenty of other states have expereinced catastrophic hurricanes. Plenty of other states faced floods and difficulties of land/water rescues. Need we forget about Hugo, Andrew, Ivan. Did South Carolina blame other people? How about Florida? And these states had plenty of elderly, handicapped and un-insured people. And yes these states had a mixture of races/cultures.

As a current resident of California, and one who evacuated from the fires, I am proud of the people of California. They came together in a time of need.

Lets face it, New Orleans infrastructure and disaster preparedness was dysfunctional long before Katrina. It was just a shame that it took a hurricane to show that.

As different as fire and water

N, San Diego, CA — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:40:52 GMT

San Diego wild fires vs. New Orleans floods? You cannot compare the two, not even close. Why?

San Diego is one of the most affluent cities in the country and is also very Republican (the federal government can't ignore it if it tried). New Orleans is one of the poorest cities and is completely Democratic (the federal government already ignores them).

The areas and people affected in San Diego are well off and not predominantly minority - simple as that. New Orleans is very poor and mostly minorities.

In San Diego, the damage was clearly caused by fire, so the insurance companies don't have much of a song and dance to give. In New Orleans, the insurance companies that cover wind say the damage was caused by flooding; the insurance companies that cover flooding say the damage was caused by wind; amazingly no insurance companies cover both wind and flooding.

In San Diego, the "evacuees" were able to load up their SUVs at a moments notice and drive a few miles to either Qualcomm or to friends and family (all cases not threatened) to get out of harms way. In New Orleans, the "refugees" didn't have any way to leave at all. Those who tried to leave were prevented from leaving. There were no facilities or volunteers at the Superdome, which took heavy damage. The evacuation site was actually in the middle of harms way. Hopelessness and despair set in. Then the government sent no help (because New Orleans was left off of the list of areas that need help). After days, help finally came, but only to bus the "refugees" that survived all over the country.

Compare San Diego to New Orleans? You can't.

As different as fire and water

BOB KOVAN DANA POINT CA. — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:49:44 GMT

ONE LARGE DIFFERENCE IS THAT THE EVACUEES OF SAN DIEGO ARE NOT STANDING AROUND WAITING FOR AL SHARPTON AND JESSE JACKSON TO COME FLYING INTO SAN DIEGO SCREAMING RACISM.

As different as fire and water

Melissa, Woodville, Ms — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:54:19 GMT

I agree with whomever says do not compare. To begin with, the "hurricane" did not "hit" New Orleans. It hit Mississippi! The levees broke in New Orleans, as everyone expected. The big difference is the cost of the homes affected. Wealthy "whites" on the coast of Mississippi lost their homes, while the self inflicted, impoverished, stayed to "loot" blacks in New Orleans lost nothing, but got a well needed spring cleaning. Government housing may have lost, but the individuals did not. For anyone that thinks the country did not do enough for "Katrina" victims you are correct. All the money went to people who had NO jobs, and already lived off the people that pay taxes. If you were white, had a job, and God forbid insurance.......you got screwed. The people of Mississippi got the shaft.!!!

As different as fire and water

B, San Diego County, CA — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:56:27 GMT

I wouldn't compare the SoCal fires to Hurricane Katrina. They are two completely different diasasters. And why do we need to compare? Should we have a contest of who's pain and loss is worse? Who's deaths caused more pain? Shouldn't we instead try to help people and act with compassion and selflessness?

It's too bad people are stereotyping San Diego. San Diego has people of all color, culture and economic status. That is the beauty of San Diego & S.D. County - we are diverse.

The national news only focuses on the well-to-do areas that got hit by the fires, but there is so much more then what people see on the news. You can't learn about S.D. and it's people from a new's clip or travel brochure.

We had the Cedar Fires (Firestrom 2003) in S.D. county 4 years ago. Some people have just rebuilt from those fires and some people were never able to and have had to move on.

San Diego has come together to help each other out regardless of what outside help has come. Evacuees were volunteering at their own evacuation sites! Yeah, some people have taken advantage of this diasaster to benefit themselves but the majority of people have come together to help one another. Firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, police, nurses, doctors, SDG&E, volunteers...all working their butts off to get everyone through this.

So anyone who is going to sterotype us, might want to meet us first.

As different as fire and water

GC, Northern California — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 01:01:42 GMT

I am simultaneously amazed, puzzled, saddened and enraged when I read these comments from those who DO insist on comparing these two tragic events and do so by slamming New Orleans victims of Katrina -- saying they could have left but CHOSE not to, or suggesting they were responsible for the poor conditions at the Superdome, or making them out to be all looters and rapists. Some readers are saying that people in NOLA were just complainers for decrying the lack of government response. My God, people, if you had just watched your elderly relative drown while you floated in your attic for 3 days, or stepped over dead bodies inside the Superdome, or been dropped off at an underpass and left there in the hot sun for 72 hours without water or food, might YOU complain just a wee bit? And while people who were STUCK in the Superdome couldn't get even any water brought to them and had NO electricity, people in Qualcomm Stadium have kosher meals and charging stations for their cellphones -- not a lot to complain about there, huh? Ah, but don't be so quick to say that the SoCal folks aren't complaining about the government response -- according the news reports I was hearing this morning, those complaints are starting to be voiced and in no small numbers. But I really don't want to denigrate the people who been burned out of their homes in SoCal, some with no insurance whatsover from the TV interviews I've seen -- my heart goes out to them. It's just that I'm so upset by the mean-spirited statements posted here about the people in NOLA who are STILL trying to get back even a fraction of what they lost, and who will never have their loved ones who died. (And I should note that MOST people here have said really kind and compassionate things about the Katrina victims.) Should we expect government to step in to help when natural disasters strike? Why NOT? We can rescue the Iraqis from Saddam Hussein, then stick around in their country to the tune of $10 billion per month and rising, but we shouldn't expect government to help its own tax-paying citizenry when they're suffering? What has happened in this country if WE THE PEOPLE can't help one another when times are this hard?

As different as fire and water

DeQuan, Jacksonville, Florida — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 01:21:50 GMT

Martin Sadvidge, I could not have said it better myself. I find it sickening that some are comparing this to Katrina.

As different as fire and water

Doug- New Jersey — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 01:39:34 GMT

The only comparison that can be made is leading up to both disasters. The mayors and governor acted swiftly and decisively, obviously wityh Katrina the only thing those local politicians moved swiftly on was shifting blame to the Federal Government.

In any disaster or any situation it is best if people rely on each other rather than "Big Brother" saviung the day. The government can't manage anything swiftly and will always be laden with beuarocracy, that is why it is ignorant to think government will fix health care, immigration or anything else that we as individuals can solve faster.

As different as fire and water

Larry, Folsom, LA — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 01:40:08 GMT

I live north of New Orleans, and am amazed at how everyone thought we had so much time to leave. Every year people are told a Hurricane is coming and it's like the boy that cried Wolf. We hear this every year, and after going through the expense of leaving year after year you become immune to the reports. Secondly I did not know it was going to hit us until Saturday evening then it hit us Monday morning. We all did not wait for the government. We were out of power for 32 days, myself and local residents with chainsaws cleaned 5 miles of roadway so we could get to the interstate. My roof was gone, I tarped it fixed it then did not recieve insurance money for 7 months. It has taken me two years to clean the trees and stumps up and looking normal again. I feel for those in California and just want to tell everyone not to criticize until you've walked in that persons shoes. I never recieved nor asked for anything from the government. Like always it was made into a racial thing. Katrina did not care about race, nor do the fires. People need to get off their ass and take care of their selves. The elderly are the ones who needed looking after.

As different as fire and water

Living in PQ — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 01:45:24 GMT

Martin, you blew it in so many ways.
The success of Quallcom stadium definitely rides on the unnamed volunteers that worked there. But it was city officials and employees who got the whole thing started. City officials and employees who stayed on the job instead of abandoning their posts like in Katrina.
As for having time to plan because we are 'more practised with disasters'. That is the stupidest thing in your article. Hurricanes have been hitting the gulf coast as long as fires have burned in SOCAL. In CA, we plan ahead and our leaders are by an large competent and learn from previous mistakes. (air tankers not withstanding...). But in LA, the failure to plan is the fault of the govener, the mayor of NO and everyone in between. Not FEMA, not Bush or any feds.

As different as fire and water

Tess MacGregor, Orlando, FL — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 01:47:36 GMT

I think, if we choose to compare the tragedies of Katrina and the California firestorm, it might be fair to say that the evacuation/recovery efforts in California are a direct result of the catastrophic response to Katrina. In this sense, we have learned from Katrina. We learned how to utilize public arenas in the correct manner for evacuation; we learned that people will not leave without their pets and so have accommodated them; we have learned that the elderly and the infirm must have access to both shelter and medical care; and that we must set up a system that will enable folks to begin the process of recovery (including onsite services that help alleviate stress - if that's yoga or massage, so be it; if it's religious counseling, go for it - )while still waiting to find out if they even have a home standing. Now if only all the states will study what california has done in response and then adapt that model to their own home state situation, the next disaster may not bring as much additional human-made trauma. I wish that the result in katrina had been different - but if we can't learn and grow from that, then what kind of nation are we?

As different as fire and water

Melissa, Woodville, Ms — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 01:51:38 GMT

As different as fire and water

TD, Knoxville, TN — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 02:17:25 GMT

To those talking about evacuation, and about New Orleans having a larger evacuation, that is not true. The California evacuation rate was the largest evacuation in this history of the United States since the Civil War.

As different as fire and water

Mary Miller, New Concord, OH — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 02:26:39 GMT

I think that Martin has hit the nail on the head. There is no comparison of these two disasters. They were two different animals in every way, and there are many, many factors that went into and are going into how it is handled. Economics, type of disaster, the way people handle things, infrastructure, preparedness and other factors all figure into it and we cannot play the blame game any better than it has been played before (Post-Katrina or otherwise). Neither can the government claim to be better prepared for a hurricane because that is a whole different animal than fires.

As different as fire and water

T B Sanders, New Orleans, LA — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 03:06:53 GMT

Thanks Martin for the article! Some of the comments about the laziness of New Orleanians are really upsetting. It amazes me when government officials want VOTES and TAXES they look for the people, but when the people look for a HAND/ASSISTANCE where were the government officials during Katrina? Thank God we have improved our Federal Emergency Response in order to help California. But don't think for a moment Katrina had nothing to do with that.
Fire has nothing on water that sits in your house for 2 weeks!

As different as fire and water

checkers, phila, pa — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 03:09:27 GMT

all those who say no people did not evacuate when they should have. Please tell how when they had no transportation, no money, same old the haves get taken care of and the have nots fall by the wayside. the woman and husband trying to walk out of N O and he had heart attack--policeman told woman roll her husband out of the way. local govt, state govt, and federal govt betrayed those people and are still doing so. send oour troops to iraq for target practice of the iraqi "freed" people spend trillions of dollars on unwinnable war, useless slaughter BUT no money for childrens health insurance, no money for New Orleans people or city rebuilding, and what money was or is designated stolen and given to ? also, are you all aware of the blackwater troops that got there first in N.O. and the money our taxes are paying them. This administration will go down in history but not like the President would like to be remembered. He will be the ultimate worst president ever.

As different as fire and water

John Powell, Jackson ,MS — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 03:14:57 GMT

Some people that were caught in Katrina raped, killed each other, and looted. The Superdome was practically destroyed, with feces on the walls and crime in the aisles. Does anyone think that may have had something to do with the response ?

As different as fire and water

Doris Vician Albuquerque, NM — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 03:54:48 GMT

It is like comparing apples and oranges. It just does not work. A very populated urban area was hit in NO. Most of the areas hit in So. CA are not so impacted. Plus the fact, people have built in areas that have little or no fire protection capability. They rely on H2O being brought in on trucks to forested areas. Fire cleanses the earth and regrowth occurs but not houses. NO, the MS coastal areas and hurricanes are a totally different thing. Just hope everyone gets the help they need.

As different as fire and water

Barbara Brehm, Redmond, Wash — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 03:57:15 GMT

I feel that if there is a fire, hurricane, tornado, tsunami, flood or an earthquake that wipes out an area it should be rebuilt only once using government assistance and insurance. If it happens more than once in the same area then the place should be turned into pasture or park by eminent domain. Let's use some common sense, protect lives and assets. Let's look at city planning for the future.

As different as fire and water

Steve, Gautier, MS — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 04:03:20 GMT

Martin, I know your heart is in the right place, but man, did your ever get out New Orleans and take a look at Mississippi. Every one of your references to Katrina is restricted to New Orleans. Do you comprehend that the entire coastline of Miss, over 80 miles, from end to end took from 38ft to 20 ft of storm surge, all at the same time over a 5-7 hour period and the surge extended inland from 10 to 2 miles (in some areas even further). I live near Pascagoula, over 95 miles from New Orleans, and while I did better than most, I still took 3 foot of water thru the house and the 3 homes between mine and the Gulf (1000ft away) are only memories now. So if I'm a bit sensitive, you understand why. If you are going to use Katrina as a referece and not mention Mississippi, you insult us all.

As different as fire and water

Joe,maryland — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 04:08:43 GMT

They have clowns blowing up balloons for kids in qualcom.Soccer moms doing yoga.The illegal immigrants have food served to them.Dogs and Cats being taken care of in shelters.They are being called evacuees in California.How come the people in N.O were referred to as refugees,and yet illegal aliens,and mutts are being treated as 1st class citizens.A soccer mom from the suburbs gets shot in her pinky toe,and its headline news across america,yet a black teen 13 y/o gets murdered amd its not even mentioned locally.Does that say illegal immigrants and dogs get treated then african americans.I did say americans didnt i?

As different as fire and water

Jay Dee — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 04:47:32 GMT

There is no comparison at all to these sad events.
Having survived being flooded out 3 times in NJ I can attest to the utter destruction and massive cleanup afterwards. Had it been a fire (from any source other than arson) homeowners and renters insurance covers all the losses including personal property, furniture, clothing, etc. Only the foundation is deducted from the loss.
Not so with floods - even if you could afford the expensive and limited coverage premiums, which excludes many things and is only offered through the Govt. The people in California will easily survive and rebuild at the expense of others, possibly making a nice profit with their claims for all new stuff. I do understand some things are not replacable, family pics and the like being in that position before.
The Katrina victims are still getting hosed by the insurance companies and Govt, whether or not having flood insurance, its a terrible crime, period.

As different as fire and water

Melody — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 05:07:39 GMT

i am disappointed to read more than half of these responses filled with racial and economic criticism. as one of the messages previously stated "Fire and floods are not racist, they are blind to a families wealth or poverty." i give kudos to who said that and everybody else who have open-minds about this and who are in the 21st century. I hope that people r not using these issues as excuses of why things happened the way they did. i also want to say people should be more focused on helping others rather than wasting time comparing and blaming. please put yourselves together and set personal beliefs aside for the common good of the people. i know that is what the government is supposed to do and i realize that sometimes it does not. there is no way to defend how the government has been acting. but please stop trying to out-pathetic each other...instead the u.s. can be helping each area to become the glories they have been before. my prayers go out to victims to both affected areas as i am one of the evacuees and i am fortunate enough to come back to a home as others are not...
people start coexisting and set your differences aside!

As different as fire and water

S.T. — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 05:39:38 GMT

10 minutes to run. Not because the police give you evacuation warning, only because you hear a terrified neighbor up on the hill screaming that "the fire is coming!" Traffic at a standstill, with only one way out, and no way to out run it on foot. You know you're going to die. It's just a matter of when. Ash is falling like rain, and you can see the flames creeping up behind you. In this moment when you're holding the hand of the child you've birthed, knowing you're about to watch her be burned alive, politics, money, race, nothing matters but the sound of your own breath to know you're still alive. Screaming til you're raw when you come back to nothing, and cradling your dead pets in your arms because you couldn't take them all with the no warning you were allowed. Family members since, committed suicide, being geographically blown to the wind and being homeless, dying a little more each day due to post traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety. Not even being able to inhale the scent of a cozy fireplace without going into a panic attack. My neighbors still lived in trailers due to no insurance, or insurance companies that I can't name for fear of recrimination, finding every loophole they've got to not pay, such as "arson not covered." Going bankrupt when you make less than 200% under the poverty level to begin with, because even on the pittance that is offered for a less than modest rebuild, it doesn't cover contents, clothes, toiletries, etc. Welcome to "rich" California. This is the Cedar Fire 2003. Now in 2007, a year to the day that your neighborhood burned, watching the Fires take similar paths, having some of your family out run the fire once again, knowing that even though most think all rich got burnt and can rebuild with a snap, there are so many poor people with nothing in the "back country" who had nothing, will continue to have nothing, and like Katrina victims, will be forgotten, IF they were even thought of to begin with. Sure if you want to look at it from a snap shot point of view, you can argue til the day is long. I don't even care if you're the one who lived down the street from me who's house remained standing. Until you've been the one living it, breathing it, tasting it, and losing everything you have with no way of getting it back, regardless of what state you're in, what disaster you're in, what color of skin you have, or who is the politician at the helm of your city, don't even bother to pass an opinion across ignorant lips. Check your facts. Talk to a survivor. Walk through their mangled lives with them and their loved ones. It's easy to discuss about it, and stand on either side of the fence, until you've actually gone through anything of either magnitude, faced death and loss ongoing due to fall out for years to come, and lived to tell about it on a message board with any type of sanity intact. I've never met a Katrina victim. I wish I could. I'd break the boundries, resentment, and formed opinions down and sit and talk about survival, strength, and the power of self preservation. Things that come from within the core of your soul, not things that are handpicked and given to you from the government, your state, Oprah, or all the other things that my "more poor than dirt" family from California didn't get. We all lived to tell our story again. That matters to me more than anything.

As different as fire and water

roger medanich, phx az — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 05:52:03 GMT

Comparison? Indeed. All disasters have one thing in common: the tragedy hits on an individual basis.

Without question, some of the folks in California were hit harder than some of the folks on the Gulf Coast - and vice versa.

The responsibility starts with the individual, then the family, then the friends, then the neighbors, then the neighborhood, then the community, then the region, then the state, then the federal government.

As different as fire and water

Steven, Foster City — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 08:19:17 GMT

What's the point of comparing two disasters on a scale such as this? I don't understand. I think Mr Savidge is trying to get attention and that's exactly what he got. "California was more organized". So What?!? What are you trying to say? If you want to give Katrina victims some of the attention they need and deserve that is fine, but the wild fires in So-Cal were devastating enough in their own right. Suffering is suffering, period. Nobody should have to endure any of this.

The main reason I felt compelled to get my voice out is because I feel a big reason for the failures in Katrina as well as the fires in So-Cal were due to the war being played out in Iraq. The big C-130 planes that were supposed to be the biggest fight in California's arsenal against fires on the west coast were supposed to be ready by 2003 (the same time of the Iraq war). Supposedly technical and design difficulties have delayed the program but I'm confident that if we did not have this war to worry about, our leaders would be able to put their attention on the most important thing: the safety of their citizens.

The war has affected our lives in many invisible ways, but few people can see this. The poor Korean guy who died in the snow near Oregon may have been a casualty of the war. I learned later that it would not have been difficult for a military chopper with infrared seeking capability to search the area, but none were deployed.

The condition of our country is slowly deteriorating. Our place as most powerful nation is vanishing.

As different as fire and water

Geez, not again — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 09:20:19 GMT

Look, the only thing we can get out of these is how to prepare for next disaster. You can go on and on saying how Katrina is worse, and how San Diegans are richer, it's all BS. Nobody plans the disasters, and when it hits you, it's all the same. This kind of victim mentality is what hinders us from doing better next time around. Live and learn. If you know your place is going to get flooded, build higher foundation for your home. Or move to higher ground. If you know your place is around tinder dry brushes, build your home with less combustible materials. Or again, move somewhere else safer. You don't want to do anything and just wait for someone to take care of you? Well, don't complain when the next disaster hits you...

As different as fire and water

J Denver, CO — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 10:12:21 GMT

Many of you would like to ignore and downplay some very obvious points. As its said "truth be told!!!"
1. Its too bad we just can't leave money, ethnicity, politics out
a.Money: Cali is by far better off economically then NOLA. Resources were more readily able to get in vs. driving in flood waters.
b.Resources were turned away and in some cases never even available. Did hear and you can check there were plenty of resources and donations sent to the US from overseas but govt intervention let a the majority go unused, denied and spoil. There stories are there!
c.There is poor and rich in just about every town and city. Face it NOLA just had more and when you have less unfortunately there can be the tendency to have less hope. Not to mention there are some that need the help of the govt. when it can help. But simple fact despite advance warning time where do you go with no adequate transportation, unsure of housing, and maybe not enough money to substain yourself for who knows how long. Then you do have to look for the "handout" of govt and volunteer and common neighbor. On the note of ADVANCE NOTICE! How long was the Admin. notified by the Army Corp of such a disastor? Bush knew it was coming with a good degree of possibility of hitting somewhere in the US with great effect given the popular lifestyle of coastal living. He should of been prepared to go get his photo opps in regardless it being a Democratic State and if thats not the issue then what was the delay. Thats what you have advisors for or didnt he listen or just decided to be defiant?
d.we all have to live somewhere. Yes maybe your insurance will go up considerably. Poor and less affluent are more then likely opt to spend money on other more daily rations and means, but I would figure that anyone when they can or could would love to have the income to cover all the needs to be safe and secure. Not many like the streets and box option. So those like in Cali that have insurance then there hope is not really that, but hope rebuild is sooner then later but its with better assurance it will be. NOLA still no much better off then originally. And the nerve of the insurance co. to pick over whether its was wind or water? Just be upstanding company you can be and give to rebuild. Many companies gave and insurance company it is your job to cover in disastors. Hmmm did any agents ever offer to sale wind damage, etc.? Stuff that the insurance doesn't want to cover. Hmmm do they even offer it? And finally if so how many could maybe afford. That said its maybe or obviously the stance of the insurance co. to not pay out. But maybe then work with all the donations, volunteers and other joint govt programs to get somekind of roof over people's head.

For all those that want to claim Cali so greast for doing for themselves and NOLA not. Do you really mean to tell me every singel person in NOLA was for a handout and none never tried to help another or leave? Really? BS! How many Cali people are taken the help and donations of water, food etc.? A few people on the thread already said they arent rich. Again there is probably more less rich in NOLA and with resources not getting there I think any and most would gladly take that handout.
There was some lawlessness! No or lack of resources would find the most upstanding fending to basic needs at somepoint as you saw with the police and fire. Only so much you can do in the situation and there are stories of those that tried to stay and only could with donations. Now on here wants to say something bad about them(fire and police) only returning because of money? WELL YEAH! How else are you going to live and you making money,puts money back in the ecomony of whats left!! Remember most people go where the job/money is! Lets not forgot those the want to stay and believe in their hometown and may not want to move away. Despite the hurricanes come. Heck in FL they get it too and plenty of people continue to move and live there!

Back to the levies!! Put of the damage was due to the failure of these. No one has control over that just like none over mother nature.
Just like Bush flew is helo over to see and come visit. He is part of the govt with the ultimate power when all else fails. He could of requested a fleet if not a few helos around from other AF bases to pick those people off the roofs to safety! Oh but someone was shooting! Im sure not every single person on the roofs had a gun or from the pics I seen.

As different as fire and water

Dave, binghamton, ny — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 10:21:04 GMT

There is another major difference between New Orleans and California. The residents of California were not shooting at the people who came to help them, nor were they trying to take advantage of the situation by looting everything in sight.

As different as fire and water

monica thomas — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 11:14:27 GMT

Another big difference is that the fires in San Diego have hit remote areas and distant suburbs for the most part.
Downtown San Diego and the heavily populated neighborhoods surrounding it have not been in danger.
That is a big difference.

As different as fire and water

Lynne Johnston - St, George, UT — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 12:06:22 GMT

I have lived in So. California for 40 years. Every year the Santa Ana winds come. They have nothing to do with Global Warming. Global warming is a farce. Don't get caught up in it. California has fires, floods, earthquakes and Santa Ana's. They were here long before "Global Warming" ever came around. We have been warned to have a 72 hour bag, packed for just an emergency. People who live in CA. understand all about natural disasters, which these fires are. It is terrible for the loss of homes, deaths, etc. from a fire. I have lived in areas where fires are a regular thing. The Bel Air fire, Malibu fires, Northridge Earthquake - believe me - people will re-build and live in the same place. Everyone in California who has a bank loan on a house has to have fire insurance. It is a state law. By law you have to have car insurance. The insurance companies may go broke like they did after the Northridge earthquake - for years State Farm, 20th Century and other companies would not insure homes. We had to find a new company because we got dropped. God bless all those who have lost homes and/or any deaths. Natural disasters are terrible - these people some of them had 1/2 hour or less to get out. I am sure they are grateful for their lives. I am sick of all those who try and compare this to other disasters. Each is different in it's own way. California is a great state to live in!

As different as fire and water

phillip Robinson, san diego calif. — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 12:42:17 GMT

I am amazed that people are so small minded, and shallow in there views to compare california to new orleans, if the fire was so devastating that no help could came for five days,and people where with out, food water and shelter, you same same people who so proudly state, we californians take care of our own, would be knock off your pedestal of moraly right and indignation, and without a doubt, crying, and whinning, and demanding, where is the help. When you have a president that was quoted as saying, that blacks did not vote for his party and cant expect to much, you realize that those in katrina, never had a chance. This administration, not only refused to help in a timely manner, it even refused help, from other nations, the message being, we will help if we want to, when we want to, and we are not going to allow any out side agency come to your aid. Those people in lousiana, did not by any means have the resoures, that californians had to fight the fires. So are you a refugee, are an American go figure.

As different as fire and water

Frank Shirley, Bridgeport, CT. — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 12:45:43 GMT

These two disasters are totaly different. It's just stupid for anyone to compare disasters.

But what we can compare is how the bush administration rushes to the aid of a Republican run state as compared to a democratic run state.