I think the key is the opening sentence ” They had flocked to the arena seeking sanctuary from the winds and waters of Hurricane Katrina”…for a matter of hours, not days.

Piss poor planning? Maybe But hind sight is usually 20/20. Let’s put it in this context: I suspect that they planned for a 6 to 8 hour stay during which time the storm would blow over the city, after which the people inside would wander out to survey the damage to the city and go, hopefully,home. Stocking food and medical supplies beforehand was not something that they saw as necessary. I suspect that it was assumed that the medical personnel already there would be sufficient. Delivering food and medical supplies after the fact would have been very tough given the situation.

I am not suggesting that the situation is or was acceptable, but I can understand why it existed.

I doubt that any one expected the situation that they found themselves in, at least not in time to do anything about it.

Don’t forget, none of this would be taking place had the levees held.

I also expect that other cities in similar hurricane prone areas will learn from this and adapt.

If I am missing something here I would appreciate having the blanks filled in…