[bobwoodard]

Check out http://www.ohsep.louisiana.gov/plans/plansindex.htm, it looks like the plans were already in place, but it appears that the local officials didn't follow them closely or take advantage of the powers provided for in the plans.

[cgbg]

It would be a great project for a reporter or student to compare those plans to what actually happened at the local, state, and federal level before and after this hurricane.

I think we all have a general idea what they would find, but the details would be very interesting.

They would remind all of us why we have to be as self-sufficient as possible.