Rescue Teams Pull Nearly 250 to Safety in Flooded Havana Neighborhoods

[Judi Lynn]

Rescue Teams Pull Nearly 250 to Safety in Flooded Havana Neighborhoods

Monday, October 24, 2005 - Page updated at 09:27 AM

Cuban rescue teams pull nearly 250 to safety in flooded Havana neighborhoods

By Anita Snow
The Associated Press

HAVANA – Rescuers in inflatable rafts and amphibious vehicles pulled nearly 250 people from flooded homes Monday after huge waves churned by Hurricane Wilma flooded the capital's coastal highway and adjacent neighborhoods of old, crumbling buildings.

The ocean spread up to four blocks inland, inundating streets and buildings with water up to three feet deep.

There were no immediate reports of injuries anywhere on the island. Nearly 700,000 people were evacuated across Cuba's west in recent days as Wilma approached, first hitting Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and then plowing across southern Florida.
(snip)

The government shut off electricity throughout the capital and across the island's west — a standard safety precaution — as high winds howled across the island.

Cuba prides itself on saving lives during hurricanes, and its civil defense plans have been held up by the United Nations as a model. Mandatory, widespread evacuations are common and face little resistance.
(snip/...)http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002580698_webcuba24.html


http://www.13wham.com/news/world/story.aspx?content_id=6C2C1D2B-CDA9-4ABB-915D-D791C7D9C0C4

Wilma lashes Cozumel, Cancun
The Associated Press

~snip~
In western Cuba, civil defense official Adolfo Nilo Moreno said 725 evacuees at a school outside the provincial capital of Pinar del Rio were likely to remain there until the middle of next week.

Farm animals in the agricultural region were gathered in collective corrals ahead of the storm, and some of the evacuees even brought their pets to the shelter.

"No way I was going to leave him," 14-year-old Adriana Rivera said of her own dog.
(snip/...)

http://www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?id=50109

[NorthernSpy]

1. but isn't evacuating people, like, too hard and all expensive and stuff?

There were no immediate reports of injuries anywhere on the island. Nearly 700,000 people were evacuated across Cuba's west in recent days as Wilma approached, first hitting Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and then plowing across southern Florida.

Why are measures like these considered worth the trouble and expense in Cuba, but not here? Why didn't they just leave these people to drown?

[WhiteTara]

2. the old communism vs capitalism question

again. For the good of the people or the good of the corporation. A matter of prioties.

[mom cat]

4. Some governments think people are their most valuable resource and

treat them that way. Runnaway, extreemist capitalism has proven conclusively that it does not!

[WhiteTara]

6. oh to be treated a valued resource

rather than the big teat would be so refreshing.

[mom cat]

8. especially when they use high voltage milking machines! Ouch!

[WhiteTara]

9. LOL Ouch indeed n/t

[mom cat]

3. and they could even bring their pets!

some of the evacuees even brought their pets to the shelter.

"No way I was going to leave him," 14-year-old Adriana Rivera said of her own dog.

[kskiska]

5. Ever notice how on how most of our hurricane coverage

the talking head is standing in front of a big map of the Caribbean and Cuba is never even mentioned - when anyone with eyes can see the big hurricane barreling right toward Cuba. They report it as headed for Florida.

[schmuls]

7. Exactly what I thought!