"The "permission" allibi is legalese lawyer BS because they dropped the ball - The Coast Guard didn't wait for no stinkin permission."
The U.S. Coast Guard HAS standing authority over waterways in the United States at all times good or bad. They didn't need permission from anyone. The National Guard does not have standing authority and the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines are specifically forbidden by law unless authorized.
"The National Guard does not have standing authority and the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines are specifically forbidden by law unless authorized."
Yeah right - The Texas Gov sent aid right away - when told that the necessary approvals were not in , he said "We're going in - they can sue us later".
That is whatt you want in a disaster - fast command decision and not bureacratbot legalese.
FEMA is a support organization, not a first response agency. If the state does not request, FEMA can't help.