[USNBandit]

And if FEMA is truly supposed to handle "emergencies," they had better make some provisions for getting into areas, even if they aren't "safe."

I think one of the big obstacles in this whole exercise has been that nobody expected the collapse of civil order or the collapse of the police force, and the breech of the levees.

I think they all expected 48 hours of bad weather, some flooding which could be pumped out over a reasonable amount of time, restoration of power, and then pushing some FEMA paperwork to get some roofs rebuilt.

[maryz]

I think you're right.

[Rudder]

some flooding which could be pumped out

Trouble is, some idiot decided to wire the pumps to the NO power grid. Power goes out...no more pumping. The power grid can't be fixed until the water recedes, the water won't recede on its own since NO is in a basin. Big time SNAFU.