Response to Irene is not Katrina-like

Hurricane Irene slammed ashore in North Carolina last week. Predictions put it at a Force 4 storm with a northerly track over major cities, including New York.

The predicted track was correct, although the storm’s ferocity diminished as it barreled up the coast. It was eventually down graded to a tropical storm.

Every conceivable preparation for Irene was made. Cities, states and counties enforced mandatory evacuations. Airports, roads, subways, ferries and train service were closed.

Irene was predicted to be the hurricane of a lifetime.

The storm was bad. It just was not the wind event that w...