Editorials

On the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina - and as Hurricane Gustav currently threatens the Gulf Coast - East Texans should be proud of their role in aiding those distressed by the 2005 storm, and confident in their ability to step in again.

Katrina hit on Aug. 29, displacing an estimated 1.5 million people and causing more than $34 billion in damage.

While communities were still working to secure accommodations for those evacuees, Hurricane Rita roared ashore on Sept. 24 - sparking an exodus of approximately 3 million more people.

In Smith County, the Red Cross, Salvation Army, PATH, East Texas Food Bank, Northeast Texas Public Health District, East Texas Medical Center and EMS, Trinity Mother Frances, city of Tyler, Smith County plus dozens of local churches, schools, colleges and citizens contributed to the efforts.

Offers of tuition assistance, medical care, emergency supplies and temporary lodging poured in, seemingly without end, then-Mayor Joey Seeber said.

"These tragedies have changed us into a stronger, better community," Seeber said in a ceremony the following November. "You didn't shirk your responsibilities. Every blanket, every shirt, every penny was another step in helping - thank you for your work. You spoke with your hearts."

Seeber now calls the experience "extremely educational."

"Three years ago, we performed very well and we learned a lot," Seeber says now. "We prepared for natural disasters that would actually happen in our own area. And what we hadn't particularly prepared for was helping those who were fleeing disasters happening elsewhere. So we learned a lot from the experience, and we'll do even better next time."

His successor, Mayor Barbara Bass, says Tyler is ready to step in if needed.

"We already have all of our emergency teams looking at what needs to be done," Mrs. Bass says. "Beaumont is our sister-city, our assigned city if evacuations take place, and we're in regular communication with their officials and with the state. We're preparing for whatever is needed. We're ready to help."

Local officials had a practice run in 2007 when Hurricane Dean seemed poised to pound the Texas coast.

Tyler Fire Chief Neil Franklin and Smith County Fire Marshal Jim Seaton had an intricate plan in place to deal with any emergency. They contacted local hospitals, animal shelters, EMS, Salvation Army, GoodWill, nursing homes, the East Texas Food Bank and numerous other local entities to make sure every resource was available in case they got the signal to evacuate. Dean eventually veered away from the Texas coast.

"Even though the trigger was never pulled, we were ready to do what ever had to be done," Seaton said.

And East Texas stands ready again.

()