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The only thing I believe the Feds could have done is put more pressure on the Governor (not that I know they didn't)....once she abdicated responsibility 24 errors into the crisis a high level - well known - Bush appointee should have been present on site (even if was for the cameras only). It may have prompted a more organized and professional response from the local government agencies.

....It appears that FEMA basically took over for her...FEMA appeared to be overwhelmed by the enormity of the situation.

It really comes down to costs; for the Feds to respond quicker they would need to stage much bigger relief processes before a Hurricane comes ashore....Up until now there staging has been more than adequate to react to the needs....the size of this easily outstripped resources available early on....thus they appeared to be playing catch up from the get go.

However, are Americans demanding, or are they will to pay for, efforts to be staged that would deal with devastation of this magnitude every time a hurricane threatens....the costs would be incredible given that it would be overkill 95% of the time...

"FEMA appeared to be overwhelmed by the enormity of the situation."

Sometime in the last couple of days I saw an interview with the FEMA director (Might have been on Larry King -- it all runs together.)

He said that by Sunday, FEMA had staged in-place the standard Category 4-5 hurricane "package" - which was based on Hurricane Andrew experience. (I remember as late as Monday afternoon, people on-air were saying that this storm wasn't as bad as Andrew)

By sunrise Tuesday, he said, he knew that "package" was not going to be sufficient, and that they were going to be scrambling to play catch-up.

FWIW

However, are Americans demanding, or are they will to pay for, efforts to be staged that would deal with devastation of this magnitude every time a hurricane threatens....the costs would be incredible given that it would be overkill 95% of the time...

I suppose the libs think so - after all, "pay" is always something you make other people do. ;)

FEMA appeared to be overwhelmed by the enormity of the situation.

Undoubtedly -- the situation, once the flood started, turned out to be worse than anyone really expected. But I doubt that the locals directed them to problem areas or could give specific information on the situation. They can't fly blind.