According to USA Today, there are several key differences in the hurricane preparations being made across Louisiana.
- Earlier Evacuations Residents in New Orleans are already evacuating portions of the city voluntarily as of August 29, 2008. Other locations are under a potential mandatory evacuation watch. MSNBC.com reports lines for bus tickets were over a mile long stretched in six loops through the parking lot at Union Passenger Terminal.
- National Guard Alerts The National Guard has already been put on alert and many troops have been mobilized to the region. Looting and crime wore heavy on the city of New Orleans even after the flood waters receded.
- No More Superdome Should evacuations or shelters be necessary, city officials will no longer evacuate to 'locations of convenience' such as the Superdome and the Convention Center. Instead, residents will be evacuated in an orderly fashion to alternate locations. Some reports indicate that police will steadily drive the streets in New Orleans warning residents to leave...or stay at their own risk.
- Communication Improvements Part of the problem with Hurricane Katrina was the lack of communication between local, state, and federal agencies. The city of New Orleans is setting up better communication channels between agencies so that a slow response to the emergency will not happen again.
