They warned everyone to get out of the city days in advance. They even said it was a mandatory evac in New Orleans. The people that stayed were either stubborn, stupid, or just plain couldn't afford it.
The cities levee system needed more funding from the federal government to make the levees taller or stronger. That would have stopped the "2ond wave" of flooding (the levee system held up for the hurricane, but had a few breaches the day after due to water pressure).
Basically, from my viewpoint, here are a few things that could have been done:
-proper calculation of the amount of busses/ambulances/nationalguardsmen that the city would need in the "worst case scenario" as far as how the hurricane would hit New Orleans (the hurricane didn't even hit us in the worst way...it would be off the map if it hit us like Biloxi..trust me).
-millitary on guard to contain the savages that stay back during hurricanes and goto the superdome (basically, downtown CBD of neworleans becomes the 2ond projects).
-more sandbagging in key areas in advance.
They also need to bring all of these things to Baton Rouge so they can move in IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE STORM!!
Also people, when you see all the looters/assholes on tv, you are seeing the lowest of the low in New Orleans..these are basically the people that commit all of the murders. The suburbs of New Orleans, as well as many mid-upper class neighborhoods in New Orleans are just fine, the people are fine, and it is like any other suburb I have been to around the country. Hell, back home in Kenner I don't even put the house alarm on or lock the door all of the time. I know I don't have to worry about those savages that you see on TV.
Disclaimer: I'm not racist in any way. I am just being realistic. Look at who is commiting the acts and you have your answer. I have friends who are black. I am sure they are just as disgusted at these peices of shit as I am.