- Jul 12, 2018
- 9,967
Private
WASHINGTON D.C.
The White House
August 26, 2005
9:03 A.M. EST
The White House
August 26, 2005
9:03 A.M. EST
Yesterday, August 25, the President, the National Security Council, the Governor of Louisiana, and the Director of The National Weather Service held a meeting in the Oval Office at the White House - the Governor and Director joined the telephone. The likelihood of the hurricane hitting New Orleans in the worst way possible was discussed along with the urgent need to order mandatory evacuations for Orleans Parish, which included the entire City of New Orleans, as well as other nearby municipalities. Parishes Presidents throughout southern Louisiana had already begun ordering voluntary and mandatory evacuations, but New Orleans has so far not done so.
Louisiana Governor Vincent Avery later informed the President that Mayor Vincent Landry had concerns about focusing resources on evacuating the elderly, the sick, and others before the few transportation routes out of the city were totally clogged by normal people. This morning, Governor Avery stressed to Mayor Landry that time was of the essence and that he needed to order an evacuation now. Under Louisiana state law, only the Parish President of Orleans Parish, who was also the Mayor of New Orleans, could order the evacuation of the parish. Mayor Landry told Governor Avery that he was likely to make an announcement later in the day.
In Washington, President Sinclair signed an Emergency Declaration for the State of Louisiana the day before. However, he was concerned that any further delay of evacuating New Orleans would strand thousands of people in the city and possibly strand hundreds or thousands of people out in the open while trying to evacuate. He made the decision to call Mayor Landry directly.
"This is Mayor Landry."
"Mister Mayor, please stand by for the President."
"Mayor Landry?"
"Yes, sir."
"This is President Sinclair. Mister Mayor, I have spoken with Governor Avery. Yesterday I signed an Emergency Declaration for the State of Louisiana. We're going to give you folks all of the help that you need down there."
"Thank you, Mister President. I am sure that is going to be immensely helpful We are dealing with a lot."
"Mister Mayor, you need to order a mandatory evacuation of Orleans Parish. The time has come."
"Mister President, we are still trying to evacuate the most vulnerable people in the city before that decision is made."
"Mayor Landry, I have spoken extensively with the National Weather Service and representatives from NOAA. They are certain that this storm is going to slam into New Orleans, and the Amry Corps of Engineers thinks that most of the city is going to be underwater. Vincent, if they are right, this is going to be a tragedy. You cannot wait any longer, you need to order a mandatory evacuation of the city. I have spoken with the CEO of AMTRAK. We are going to send in special trains specifically for the evacuation of the elderly and the sick. Anyone who can't take the train will be taken by the Air National Guard to Baton Rouge."
"Mister President, I have not heard of these plans yet, we are going to need to review-"
"Vincent, we have made these plans so that we can get vulnerable populations out of New Orleans safely, and without concern for vehicular traffic on Highway 90 or Interstate 10. If you wait any longer to order the evacuation, you will only be harming the people of New Orleans. I know that you have their best interest at heart, so I am pleading with you to declare that mandatory evacuation."
"..."
"Mister President, I will issue the mandatory evacuation order in the next thirty minutes. Is there a number I can call you back at if we need anything down here?"
"Mayor Landry, if you need anything, have your office contact the White House and I will speak to you directly. The Federal Government is fully prepared and willing to work with you and Governor Avery."
"Thank you, Mister President."
"God speed, Mister Mayor."
Louisiana Governor Vincent Avery later informed the President that Mayor Vincent Landry had concerns about focusing resources on evacuating the elderly, the sick, and others before the few transportation routes out of the city were totally clogged by normal people. This morning, Governor Avery stressed to Mayor Landry that time was of the essence and that he needed to order an evacuation now. Under Louisiana state law, only the Parish President of Orleans Parish, who was also the Mayor of New Orleans, could order the evacuation of the parish. Mayor Landry told Governor Avery that he was likely to make an announcement later in the day.
In Washington, President Sinclair signed an Emergency Declaration for the State of Louisiana the day before. However, he was concerned that any further delay of evacuating New Orleans would strand thousands of people in the city and possibly strand hundreds or thousands of people out in the open while trying to evacuate. He made the decision to call Mayor Landry directly.
"This is Mayor Landry."
"Mister Mayor, please stand by for the President."
"Mayor Landry?"
"Yes, sir."
"This is President Sinclair. Mister Mayor, I have spoken with Governor Avery. Yesterday I signed an Emergency Declaration for the State of Louisiana. We're going to give you folks all of the help that you need down there."
"Thank you, Mister President. I am sure that is going to be immensely helpful We are dealing with a lot."
"Mister Mayor, you need to order a mandatory evacuation of Orleans Parish. The time has come."
"Mister President, we are still trying to evacuate the most vulnerable people in the city before that decision is made."
"Mayor Landry, I have spoken extensively with the National Weather Service and representatives from NOAA. They are certain that this storm is going to slam into New Orleans, and the Amry Corps of Engineers thinks that most of the city is going to be underwater. Vincent, if they are right, this is going to be a tragedy. You cannot wait any longer, you need to order a mandatory evacuation of the city. I have spoken with the CEO of AMTRAK. We are going to send in special trains specifically for the evacuation of the elderly and the sick. Anyone who can't take the train will be taken by the Air National Guard to Baton Rouge."
"Mister President, I have not heard of these plans yet, we are going to need to review-"
"Vincent, we have made these plans so that we can get vulnerable populations out of New Orleans safely, and without concern for vehicular traffic on Highway 90 or Interstate 10. If you wait any longer to order the evacuation, you will only be harming the people of New Orleans. I know that you have their best interest at heart, so I am pleading with you to declare that mandatory evacuation."
"..."
"Mister President, I will issue the mandatory evacuation order in the next thirty minutes. Is there a number I can call you back at if we need anything down here?"
"Mayor Landry, if you need anything, have your office contact the White House and I will speak to you directly. The Federal Government is fully prepared and willing to work with you and Governor Avery."
"Thank you, Mister President."
"God speed, Mister Mayor."
