‘They simply ran out of time’

Some of the most tragic stories coming out of Katrina have been about elderly citizens left in nursing homes while the water was rising. Aaron Broussard, president of Jefferson Parish, broke down on NBC’s “Meet the Press” last weekend talking about the death of the mother of one of the parish’s employees. The New York Times reported on the drowning of 32 nursing home residents in St. Bernard Parish. Here’s part of the heartbreaking account: “Nails were pounded through a table. Dressers were thrown against windows. Several electric wheelchairs were gathered near the front entrance, perhaps in hopes of evacuation. They simply ran out of time.”
Posted by Phillip Brownlee

3 Comments

  1. Joe Williams
    Posted September 9, 2005 at 9:51 am | Permalink

    That is sad that they were left behind. And I know it was on purpose. If you look at assistant living facilities today, you see a lot of elderly people being negelected for just basic care. But in time of evacuation? Yes! I believe the employees just said “Leave them” and did not attempt to even help them out. How Sad! :(

  2. Snidley Whiplash
    Posted September 12, 2005 at 12:18 am | Permalink

    I don’t suppose you have any documentation to back that charge up?

  3. Joe Williams
    Posted September 12, 2005 at 7:46 am | Permalink

    http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/07/national/nationalspecial/07chalmette.html?hp&ex=1126152000&en=6fd0f204178565a0&ei=5094&partner=homepage