Let’s Talk Data

Hurricane Katrina Data Storm

Listening to the interviews with “The Powers That Be” involved in responding to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, you can’t help but wonder why everyone seemed so caught off guard. Seems to me that everyone is too busy pointing fingers rather than focusing on the task of reinventing the damaged areas.

Local & state officials had plans, they had the numbers. The census is after all, a survey that is designed so that the government is adequately represented by the population that resides in an area. Those numbers are looked over, picked over, disputed and celebrated daily for Economic Development, Education Planning, Transportation Planning, Retail Expansion, and so on nearly EVERY day.

So, knowing that the data is there…I don’t quite understand how no one (locally) took responsibility to get people out before the waters hit.

And for those who stayed, despite the warnings, well — they had their reasons, I’m sure. But to blame the Federal Government for not forcing them out when even their local leaders failed to mobilize is pushing the blame too far. What about individual responsibility? In some cases people simply made poor decisions. While many try to help those in need — many of those in need reject the help they are offered. And, at some point, you have to concentrate on those that are willing to accept your helpl.

I can’t help but think of all the working people — the police, the firemen, the nurses, doctors, teachers, and others who sent their loved ones out of town but stayed to help manage the disaster. These people are the ones who should replace our career politicians — because they are close to people, close to the data — and can see the patterns clearly because they are firmly committed to doing their jobs — not getting re-elected. Census data isn’t abstract to these city guardians. They deal with the people behind the numbers every day.

Want to see the demographics yourself? We’ve posted some data that might help you understand just what the leaders in the area had access to for the past 4 years. These are 1990/2000 Census counts for population, age/sex/race, income, transportation, etc.

http://www.catosphere.com/CatosphereHurricaneKatrinaDemographics.htm