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Simply put, there was no problem getting people out of downtown, while there was a severe problem getting personal automobiles out of downtown. The excess of automobiles also made it impossible for busses to get anywhere either.

If anything, the needs of evacuation are another reason to strongly discourage automobile commuting in the first place. Trying to impose an HOV restriction is understandable but it would never work. (Though, I suppose MPD could develop an "emergency bus lane" plan, maybe?)

Where I work, the evacuation alarm went off about 45 seconds after the shaking stopped. We were sent home about 3 because it was obvious by then that the AOC wouldn't let anyone back into our buildings before they were inspected, and that wasn't finished until 9pm when staff and visitors were allowed to collect their belongings. The only part of the evacuation that mostly worked was the unwritten part, that is, "when you leave, be ready to go straight home, grab all your stuff first." A couple people I know did get stuck till nine, which had to be awful.

by Steve S. on Aug 26, 2011 12:41 am • link • report