WCNC by Marcelino Benito 6/8/2018
Hours before Harvey made landfall, it is true; people were seen walking around as the storm kept getting closer. But when Harvey finally hit, the sheriff says he and his deputies saw up close and personal the crisis unfolding.
Twenty-four hours after President Donald Trump's appearance at FEMA, and his comments about rescues continue to upset and frustrate the people who were in boats saving lives.
"I was shocked," said John Billot, with America's Cajun Navy.
America's Cajun Navy was one of many groups of volunteers who launched boats for days. Together with Louisiana's Cajun Navy, civilians pulled thousands out of flooded homes.
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I never saw anyone out there with a mai tai watching the hurricane come in," said Clyde Cain with Louisiana Cajun Navy. "That's ludicrous."
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Not one time did we ever, ever look up at the sky and say wow, that's a nice hurricane," Billot said.
Volunteers say they went with little sleep for days. Too many people needed help.
"If it wouldn't have been for us, they wouldn't have been picking up live bodies. They would have been picking up deceased bodies," Billot said.
The president's comments also dumbfounded Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.
"I don't know what information he had or where he drew his comments from to make that assessment," Gonzalez said. "It's not reflective of what I saw out on the front lines."
Hours before Harvey made landfall, it is true; people were seen walking around as the storm kept getting closer. But when Harvey finally hit, the sheriff says he and his deputies saw up close and personal the crisis unfolding. No one was gawking at a storm -- only trying to help each other overcome it.
"I'd be happy to invite the President to ride out the next hurricane, so he can see firsthand the impacts of these natural disasters," Gonzalez said.
More:
https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/cajun-navy-houston-officials-respond-to-president-trumps-comments-on-harvey-rescues/275-562560345
