“Laser beam coming through the night. To my TV screen, to my color eye. This is telecommunication, telecommunication, telecommunication …” — A Flock Of Seagulls, ca. 1982
All of this blogging and talk of free parish-wide wireless is great, but of what use is it when routers are down during power outages? Does the city have an alternate and reliable power source to keep that method of communication open? Also, what is being done about cell towers for those who don’t have land lines? Bayou Buzz: New Orleans Area In Communication High-Risk With Hurricane Season brings up some interesting points.
… the Brookings Institute in its most recent report about New Orelans [sic] has stated the obvious, First, emergency preparation officials need to ensure that any emergency communications or announcements reach these households, many of whom live in isolated situations, without easy access to TV or internet.
Yes, Virginia, there are many households in Katrinaland without necessary communications.
The City of New Orleans, through the auspices of Ray Nagin and Greg Meffert got it and on their own are putting up a working wirless system for the parish but they could have done it much earlier with the help of the Governor. Many leaders did not get it at all.
What about communications during a storm, for ones who stay here and those who evacuate? It’s not going to take an evacuation-worthy Category 3 or higher to bring down The Grid. I’m concerned even for tropical storms and Category 1s that threaten to take out pumps, power and drinking water.
With mandatory evacuation coming at an earlier time, those with Internet connections in those households would be able to evacuate and still be informed. While on the road, they could be in electronic touch with family members, make hotel reservations, contact FEMA, their bank, check traffic web cams, road advisories, hurricane advisories, messages from their parish and state officials. They would have been able to do all of this while evacuating. Now, as things are, once they hit the road they might have cell phone connections and radio but the full array of telecommunication systems are limited.
Another topic is the safety of New Orleanians in any tropical depression that approaches this area. With a diminished police and health force and a city that discombobulates during extended periods of lights out, what are we to do? (Seriously – when the Lower Garden District had a long power outage a couple of months ago, it started to sound and look like Devil’s Night here) Do we evacuate for storms on the order of Alberto should they come near us? This is not fear-mongering or paranoia – I simply want to know if we’re prepared for it.
Maitri,
If our house is ready before the storm comes, we will not leave the city. We plan to be a sanctuary. Someone’s got to be here to relay info.
We are going to be 10′ above sea level, running our 15KW generator, and using our wireless Broadband w/VIOP throughout the house. We are also installing a solar array, but that may have to come down prior to a storm. (It’ll go back up when the winds die down.)
I’m building my 100 gallon distilled water supply (in addition to our purification systems.), tons of food are going to get laid in, and there’ll be a piroque tied to the upper deck. We are starting to get our medical supplies in order, too. This is so that we can shelter folks when it all hits the fan, so to speak.
Need a safe harbor? The door is always open.
“Now, as things are, once they hit the road they might have cell phone connections and radio but the full array of telecommunication systems are limited.”
Clearly this guy didn’t actually try to reach somebody on their 504 cell phone any time during the month of September. Even if you were evacuated, if you had a 504 number, it was pretty much useless because the whole exchange was toast. I couldn’t read my brother in Houston until he gave in and got a new cell phone.
Morwen: Thanks! You are truly a generous individual. If I had the ability to pimp out my home like that, I would, but my living situation is a lot different than yours. I’m not afraid of wind or flood threats to this house, but not looking forward to city-wide infrastructure disintegration either.
Ray: Technically, the guy is correct. We could call out from our 504 numbers to other area codes. Nevertheless, you’re right in that trying to reach someone else with a 504 cell phone is an exercise in futility. Something to be said about landlines and deep sea cables (in stable areas without the risk of landslides/slumps)?
Immediately after the storm the 504 exchanges were dead, BUT text messaging worked. Soemthing to keep in mind.
Alberto? Is he a roofer? *sticks fingers in ears* NANANANANANANANANA I CANT HEAR YOU! No car, 5 cats, and I live here. Joy.
Still reeling from a family death, I have nothing worthwhile to contribute until a few more days go by.
Don’t remind me of text messaging after the storm. My thumb gets sore just thinking about it.
Sorry to hear of the death in your family. More stress on existing stress.