Could It Happen Here?

"Today, four years after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, there is still no single plan to evacuate all of New York, which virtually no one believes is possible."

--The New York Times

-Read The Full Article Here-

I think the obvious is implied in the article. Any event that would necessitate the full-scale evacuation of New York City would probably be the end of the world. After all, a nuclear attack would most certainly cause a response in kind... we're talking global thermonuclear war here.

But lets say it was something more insidious, like a bio-chemical attack, or an oncoming tsunami? What could we do?

Judging by the NYC.gov/ReadyNY website provided by city emergency services... not much.

However, their brochure does provide titilating fun facts such as...

DID YOU KNOW the word "Terrorism" originated in 1795 with the Reign of Terror -- when French revolutionaries used the guillotine to consolidate their regime and intimidate potential opposition?

OR THAT The first instance of biological terrorism occurred in 6th century B.C., when Assyrians poisoned the wells of their enemies with rye ergot?

WOW! Learning is FUN!!!

But that interesting information aside, there's really no way for us to get out of this city if something bad, but not initially deadly, were to happen.

We've got to plan now for the worst case scenario. A nuclear bomb would make evacuation moot, but other types of attacks or natural disasters would necessitate it.

Why not designate a point of exit for all the city's neighborhoods? Like passengers on a plane, residents would be directed to their nearest emergency exit.

Why not have buses leaving the Port Authority, one after another, bound for jersey on the west side? And why not set up a similar bus evacuation area on the east side?

Why not use the city's ferries to remove people from midtown west and downtown?

I made this map in two minutes:


Obviously, its rough. But look at the map and find your nearest route. Because if the feds don't provide buses, you're gonna need to get out on your own.

Don't worry about me. I've got my own private helicopter in a secret undisclosed location that will lift me and one companion high above the madness and away to safety. If you want on, just send a picture of yourself naked*.

*Note: Females only.

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PLUS: I Miss Him:

... I went to Florida a few days after President Bush did to observe the damage from Hurricane Andrew. I had dealt with a lot of natural disasters as governor, including floods, droughts, and tornadoes, but I had never seen anything like this. I was surprised to hear complaints from both local officials and residents about how the Federal Emergency Management Agency was handling the aftermath of the hurricane. Traditionally, the job of FEMA director was given to a political supporter of the President who wanted some plum position but who had no experience with emergencies. I made a mental note to avoid that mistake if I won. Voters don't choose a President based on how he'll handle disasters, but if they're faced with one themselves, it quickly becomes the most important issue in their lives.

— Bill Clinton, My Life (p. 428)