During this nightmarish fire season in Southern California, many individuals and some of the press compared the wildfires to Hurricane Katrina.
More specifically, they have compared the evacuation center at Qualcomm Stadium to the Superdome in New Orleans.
I do not in any way wish to diminish the horrific loss of life and homes and the despair that many of our residents have gone through, and the incredible assistance so many of our local residents have provided. However, to make such a comparison goes far beyond comparing apples to oranges.
For comparison, the relative estimated statistics are almost unfathomable. For starters, let us try to contemplate that about 200 times as many people were killed during Katrina as were killed during the wildfires. At least 100 times as many homes were destroyed during Katrina. Almost 100 times as much financial damage was caused by Katrina.
The federal government stepped up to offer assistance immediately after the fires struck. The federal government didn’t even seem to be aware until three days after the hurricane that 15,000 people were starving at the New Orleans Convention Center.
They even hindered the Red Cross from going to the city to offer assistance and save victims from certain death, and they turned down some foreign aid.
After the fires started, heroic local residents and city, county, state and federal officials were on the scene to assist immediately.
Four days after the fires, President Bush promised to help out as best he could.
Two weeks after Katrina struck, President Bush appeared in New Orleans and promised, “Throughout the area hit by the hurricane, we will do what it takes, we will stay as long as it takes, to help citizens rebuild their communities and their lives.”
After Hurricane Andrew and Sept. 11, Bush completely waived the Stafford Act requirement that New York and Florida (both far wealthier than those areas destroyed by Katrina) provide 10 percent of matching funds up front from local funding before receiving federal aid for rebuilding projects.He refused to waive this requirement for the Gulf Coast.
Qualcomm residents were free to come and go from the stadium and many were shocked when suddenly told they would have to leave after five days.
Those of us imprisoned in the Superdome were prohibited from leaving and told we would be shot or arrested if we left.We were shocked when they finally told us the truth and the vast majority were able to leave after six days.
So for those of you in San Diego who have made statements that people are crazy to want to rebuild in hurricane prone areas, I pose one question: Are these feelings consistent with your feelings about your neighbors who plan to rebuild in areas that are at an equal or greater risk with the combined fire and earthquake threats, similar to the hurricane threat in New Orleans every few decades?
I have offered my hopes, sincerest thoughts, dollars and my home for temporary lodging to those of you in San Diego who have suffered unbelievable losses.
I just hope we don’t ever forget to continue giving to those along the Gulf Coast who survived a disaster many times the magnitude of ours.
Paul Harris is an employee at the University of California, San Diego.