The feds are starting from scratch here.
There was NO plan and we are having to play catch-up.
But there was at the federal level. There was a previous article from earlier this year about how this exact scenario was what FEMA had used to train for a hurricane emergency.
I should have included some of the previous conversation, which can be seen if one follows the link to backtrack the conversation. My criticism of the administration has to do with a military official, at the FEMA news conference a few hours ago, hemming and hawing and making excuses when asked why the military wasn't getting in to New Orleans. His answer wasn't about logistical problems, but rather that the military is very hesitant to step in, that their role is to support civilian law enforcement and is very limited until requested, "posse comitatus", etc. Beauracratic turf stuff. The legal restrictions are real, but there are also legal bypasses available during emergencies.