Helicopters buzzed above a massive disaster with dozens lost in the water. The emergency response took every joint resource Galveston had Wednesday.
Luckily, this time it was just a drill. But it's a vivid reminder of the massive effort needed during a hurricane.
The hurricane season may still be almost two weeks away, but with predictions of an above average season and a crisis already brewing in the Gulf, the island isn't taking any chances getting ready.
Galveston officials gathered Wednesday to tell islanders the plan in case of a Hurricane.
Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski said the city's implementing lessons learned since Ike and changing re-entry protocol following a disaster.
"When there's a mandatory evacuation order, please take it seriously," said Jaworski.
Jaworski's hurricane policy is all about fixing unforeseen problems during Ike. For example, evacuees had to wait days to get back into the devastated island where all essential services were cut off. Next time, the mayor wants to return everyone within 72 hours.
"If the waste water treatment plants are out, well then, bring in port-o-potties. I mean, we don't like to talk about it, but it's a logical solution," said Jaworski. "If the hospital isn't able to serve, bring some help from across the bridge and set a mobile command like the military would."
Experts predict a weakening El Nino will make this season more severe than average.
"You've probably already heard that most likely it's going to be an active season," said Lance Wood, National Weather Service in Galveston.
The increased activity combined with the massive Gulf oil spill creates a unique challenge Galveston has never faced.
"When you consider the combination of oil that may be latent in the bottom of the ocean, being spun up through a hurricaneÂ… sometimes the right thing to do is sacrifice one location to protect another," said Jaworski.
Jaworski also said the crippling destruction of aging infrastructure that happened during Ike should never happen again. Hundreds of millions in federal disaster dollars now flooding into the island will address that problem as soon as possible to further strengthen Galveston's hurricane response.
Jaworski also said he met with Houston Mayor Annise Parker recently, and secured her promise to let Galveston residents evacuate in an emergency before she orders Houstonians out of harm's way.
Luckily, this time it was just a drill. But it's a vivid reminder of the massive effort needed during a hurricane.
The hurricane season may still be almost two weeks away, but with predictions of an above average season and a crisis already brewing in the Gulf, the island isn't taking any chances getting ready.
Galveston officials gathered Wednesday to tell islanders the plan in case of a Hurricane.
Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski said the city's implementing lessons learned since Ike and changing re-entry protocol following a disaster.
"When there's a mandatory evacuation order, please take it seriously," said Jaworski.
Jaworski's hurricane policy is all about fixing unforeseen problems during Ike. For example, evacuees had to wait days to get back into the devastated island where all essential services were cut off. Next time, the mayor wants to return everyone within 72 hours.
"If the waste water treatment plants are out, well then, bring in port-o-potties. I mean, we don't like to talk about it, but it's a logical solution," said Jaworski. "If the hospital isn't able to serve, bring some help from across the bridge and set a mobile command like the military would."
Experts predict a weakening El Nino will make this season more severe than average.
"You've probably already heard that most likely it's going to be an active season," said Lance Wood, National Weather Service in Galveston.
The increased activity combined with the massive Gulf oil spill creates a unique challenge Galveston has never faced.
"When you consider the combination of oil that may be latent in the bottom of the ocean, being spun up through a hurricaneÂ… sometimes the right thing to do is sacrifice one location to protect another," said Jaworski.
Jaworski also said the crippling destruction of aging infrastructure that happened during Ike should never happen again. Hundreds of millions in federal disaster dollars now flooding into the island will address that problem as soon as possible to further strengthen Galveston's hurricane response.
Jaworski also said he met with Houston Mayor Annise Parker recently, and secured her promise to let Galveston residents evacuate in an emergency before she orders Houstonians out of harm's way.
