We need facts, not stories, but the NPR broadcast retold by CarolC tears at my heart. I heard a story (also on NPR)about an elderly patient being evac'ed by helicopter, and the patient's son with medication for the patient was not allowed on. Senseless. Then there's the story about the cops going through the streets of NO shooting dogs when it was clear they were pets on the loose. But this was not done everywhere. Literally hit or miss.

It sounds like there was no central authority that could both make the necessary decisions and communicate them effectively. In short, it was a shapeless directionless mess and everyone is telling the tale that will put them in the best light post-facto.

The Mayor of NO was a case in point of authority 'figure' with no inherent sense when it counted.

As to the hospital scene, I hope facts will come out in court when the time comes. I'd hate it to be a bunch of lawyers in the comfort of 20-20 hindsight telling those in the middle of chaos what they 'should' have done now that we know what happened.