--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Before Katrina, it was a longstanding…" description: "\"Before Katrina, it was a longstanding tradition in our country for political officials to wait until the last minute to warn, to take action, to evacua..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc0/russel-honore-23154_action_before-katrina-it-was-a-longstanding-tra_2813148.jpg" --- # Before Katrina, it was a longstanding tradition in our… ![“Before Katrina, it was a longstanding tradition in our country for political officials to wait until the last minute to warn, to take action, to evacuate. No more. With Irene, you had mass evacuations - mandatory ones - issued days ahead of time. That was the right thing to do.” quote by Russel Honore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc0/russel-honore-23154_action_before-katrina-it-was-a-longstanding-tra_2813148.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc0/russel-honore-23154_action_before-katrina-it-was-a-longstanding-tra_2813148.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cc0/russel-honore-23154_action_before-katrina-it-was-a-longstanding-tra_2813148.jpg) > “Before Katrina, it was a longstanding tradition in our country for political officials to wait until the last minute to warn, to take action, to evacuate. No more. With Irene, you had mass evacuations - mandatory ones - issued days ahead of time. That was the right thing to do.” [Russel Honore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russel-honore/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Previous delays in disaster warnings caused harm; proactive, early evacuations save lives and are essential. **In simple terms:** Early evacuation saves lives. Key Takeaway Implement mandatory early evacuations. Themes disaster response early warning evacuation public safety Mood urgent serious Type policy practical When to use this quote - government planning - community drills - media communication Key Concepts emergency management policy implementation Questions to Reflect On - What barriers prevent timely evacuations? - How can communities improve warning systems? A Different Perspective Logistics can hinder early action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Action Evacuate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action-evacuate-3535527/) [Ahead of time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ahead-of-time/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Evacuate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evacuate/) [Evacuate Irene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evacuate-irene-3535526/) [Evacuation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evacuation/) [Evacuations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evacuations-3535528/) [Evacuations Mandatory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evacuations-mandatory-3535525/) [Katrina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/katrina/) [Last minute](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/last-minute/) [Lasts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lasts/) [Mass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mass/) [Minutes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/minutes/) [Officials](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/officials/) [Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Right thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-thing/) [Tradition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tradition/) [Waiting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/waiting/) ## Related quotes > [Wars are not won by evacuations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/wars-are-not-won-by-evacuations/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [“To evacuate or not to evacuate, that is the question.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/to-evacuate-or-not-to-evacuate-that-is-the-question/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [If we ever get into war, only the children must evacuate. Women must fight like the equals they are!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/if-we-ever-get-into-war-only-the-children-must-evacuate-women-must/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [The belly laugh is the best way to evacuate anguish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-vanier/the-belly-laugh-is-the-best-way-to-evacuate-anguish/) [Jean Vanier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-vanier/) > [I'm OMAC! Evacuate this section! I'm going to destroy it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kirby/i-m-omac-evacuate-this-section-i-m-going-to-destroy-it/) [Jack Kirby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kirby/) > [I grew up in New Orleans. I had just moved into my dorm at the University of New Orleans, and I was doing laundry,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-ocean/i-grew-up-in-new-orleans-i-had-just-moved-into-my-dorm-at-the/) [Frank Ocean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-ocean/) > [It's time for the State Department to permanently change its official policy to allow all members of U.S. citizens' families - no matter what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ingrid-newkirk/it-s-time-for-the-state-department-to-permanently-change-its-official/) [Ingrid Newkirk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ingrid-newkirk/) > [I was doing a talk show in Vancouver, and somebody called in a bomb threat to protest my violence, which I thought was pretty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-watson/i-was-doing-a-talk-show-in-vancouver-and-somebody-called-in-a-bomb/) [Paul Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-watson/) > [“Prepare to evacuate soul in five, in four, three, two, one.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/prepare-to-evacuate-soul-in-five-in-four-three-two-one/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [“have exactly one hour to find your runaway table, get back your synco-whatsit, and install it in this engine, or the Argo II explodes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/have-exactly-one-hour-to-find-your-runaway-table-get-back-your-synco/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [I must refuse to believe that the Germans contemplate with equanimity the evacuation of cities like London for fear of destruction to be wrought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/i-must-refuse-to-believe-that-the-germans-contemplate-with-equanimity/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [“Crete, May 1941. It was nearly five o’clock when the three soldiers reached the end of the olive grove. The dust-filled air shimmered in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-ellis/crete-may-1941-it-was-nearly-five-o-clock-when-the-three-soldiers/) [Mark Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-ellis/) > [Life is war, winning that war doesn't mean evacuation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akila-sultana/life-is-war-winning-that-war-doesn-t-mean-evacuation/) [Akila Sultana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akila-sultana/) > [“A great gift would be a map full of evacuation routes for the city, subtly telling the recipient to get the hell out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/a-great-gift-would-be-a-map-full-of-evacuation-routes-for-the-city/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [ Here is the secret to surviving one of these \[airplane\] crashes: Be male. In a 1970 Civil Aeromedical institute study of three crashes involving… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-roach/here-is-the-secret-to-surviving-one-of-these-airplane-crashes-be-male/) [Mary Roach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-roach/) ## More by Russel Honore > [I think American industry has lost perspective about their products.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russel-honore/i-think-american-industry-has-lost-perspective-about-their-products/) [Russel Honore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russel-honore/) > [During the aftermath of Katrina, National Guard troops were positioned on every block to establish a sense of safety and source of help for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russel-honore/during-the-aftermath-of-katrina-national-guard-troops-were-positioned/) [Russel Honore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russel-honore/) > [In the military, as in any organization, giving the order might be the easiest part. Execution is the real game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russel-honore/in-the-military-as-in-any-organization-giving-the-order-might-be-the/) [Russel Honore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russel-honore/) > [This is a Disaster. This isn't something somebody can control. We ain't stuck on stupid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russel-honore/this-is-a-disaster-this-isn-t-something-somebody-can-control-we-ain-t/) [Russel Honore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russel-honore/) > [The National Guard has served America as both a wartime force and the first military responders in times of domestic crisis. Hundreds of times…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russel-honore/the-national-guard-has-served-america-as-both-a-wartime-force-and-the/) [Russel Honore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russel-honore/) > [The preparations are what they are. We're here. The storm is coming. We are as best prepared as we can be as the eye…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russel-honore/the-preparations-are-what-they-are-we-re-here-the-storm-is-coming-we/) [Russel Honore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russel-honore/) > [By-and-large, these are families that are just waiting to get out of here. They are frustrated; I would be, too. I get frustrated at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russel-honore/by-and-large-these-are-families-that-are-just-waiting-to-get-out-of/) [Russel Honore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russel-honore/) > [I cant swing a dead cat without hitting a reporter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russel-honore/i-cant-swing-a-dead-cat-without-hitting-a-reporter/) [Russel Honore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russel-honore/) > [You know, we lose more homes every year to flooding than we do any other event in America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russel-honore/you-know-we-lose-more-homes-every-year-to-flooding-than-we-do-any/) [Russel Honore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russel-honore/) > [Who is affected more when it's cold? Poor people. Who is affected more when it's hot? Poor people. Who is affected more when it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russel-honore/who-is-affected-more-when-it-s-cold-poor-people-who-is-affected-more/) [Russel Honore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russel-honore/) > [Teamwork builds trust and trust builds speed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russel-honore/teamwork-builds-trust-and-trust-builds-speed/) [Russel Honore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russel-honore/) > [You can't vote that water out of the city of New Orleans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russel-honore/you-can-t-vote-that-water-out-of-the-city-of-new-orleans/) [Russel Honore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russel-honore/) > [Superstorm Sandy inflicted havoc and heartache throughout the Northeast, hitting the Big Apple and its surrounding coastal towns hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russel-honore/superstorm-sandy-inflicted-havoc-and-heartache-throughout-the/) [Russel Honore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russel-honore/) > [Leadership is working with goals and vision management is working with objectives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russel-honore/leadership-is-working-with-goals-and-vision-management-is-working/) [Russel Honore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russel-honore/) > [Hurricane Sandy was one of the most vicious storm systems to hit the New York City area in nearly two centuries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russel-honore/hurricane-sandy-was-one-of-the-most-vicious-storm-systems-to-hit-the/) [Russel Honore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russel-honore/) [Explore all 26 Russel Honore quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russel-honore/) ## More Action quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. 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