People like me love to beat up on Wal-Mart, but let me say a word on the company's behalf today. I'm watching Gov. Bobby Jindal on TV right now, giving a lengthy and detailed briefing about the storm. I'm deeply impressed by his response, and the state's response -- it's like a whole new world. It sounds like the whole state of Louisiana has been very hard hit -- nothing as acute as what Katrina did to New Orleans, but still very bad, and far more widespread. But Jindal appears to be very much on top of things. (Still, I wish I could get in touch with my folks -- the phone lines have been down since shortly after the inner bands of the storm started rolling in yesterday.)
Over a million people in south Louisiana don't have power. Gen Russell Honore said on CNN this morning that it could be weeks before power is restored to everybody. Jindal said just now that he'd been in touch with the head of Wal-Mart, who had agreed to send generators down to many of his Louisiana stores to get them open right away so people could go get supplies. This reminded me of a meeting we had at the newspaper the other day with Mayor Bill White of Houston, who remarked that right after Katrina, he got on the phone with Wal-Mart chief executives, and enlisted their peerless distribution network in doing relief. A lot of us don't care for Wal-Mart and its business model, and so on and so forth, but they stepped up during Katrina, and it looks like they're stepping up today after Gustav. That's important to mention, and it's important to say: thanks.
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Scruffy,
You must have a short memory. After Katrina Wal-Mart officialy said to loot their stores. They gave managers at ground level in Katrina hit areas total leeway to break open stores, pharmacies and distribute supplies FREE OF CHARGE.
Besides, even if they charged, its not like they are price gouging to take advantage of the situation. They are still the cheapest place in town. That is who I personally would prefer to open first, especially in hazardous conditions like the aftermath of a hurricane.
Last winter when the majority of my state (yes my STATE) was without power due to an ice storm, WalMart did the same thing. In my small town where WalMart is the only grocery store in the area I have to say it was a godsend. It was a pretty impressive sight if you were on the highway coming in from Arkansas the day after the storm...a huge convoy of semi-carrying generators.
Rod,
It's bad down there. A hell of a rain band is now going into Baton Rouge, and the place could get several more inches of rain this afternoon.
The city, from what I read and hear, is a total mess. Worse than Betsy, officials say. WJBO has non-stop coverage, and some Internet connectivity (obviously, being that I'm listening on the Internet), but no phone service.
Little electricity in BR. Sheriff says he thinks power will be out for several weeks in some areas of the parish.
On the bright side, George's is open. Burgers . . . yummmmmm.
Back in 2003 or 2004 Richmond Va was hit by the remnants of a hurricane. Most of the town was without power for at least 10 days. My neighbor Super Walmart kept folks supplied with water, food and whatever was needed. their distribution system was amazing and their store employees did yeoman work keeping the shelves restocked. The trailer loads of water and ice were amazing. They had so much available that there was no pushing and shoving to get stuff. Folks saw that there was plenty and they behaved accordingly.
Their system knows what is needed most following such disasters and they are able to deliver in a timely manner.
http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/HurricaneRita/Story?id=1171087&page=1
sorry hit the submit button to quick. this story provides additional insight into how WalMart learns from disasters
http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=170704702
this link takes you to a pdf file that explains what WalMart did following Katrina and Rita
http://walmartstores.com/download/2231.pdf
and here is the WashPost's story about heir efforts
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/05/AR2005090501598.html
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