Posted on 10/26/2005 9:37:56 PM PDT by blam
Florida governor Bush admits Wilma relief effort weak
Wed Oct 26, 7:20 PM ET
MIAMI (AFP) - Victims of Hurricane Wilma's wrath in Florida pressured officials for relief as they suffered a third day without electricity and scant basic supplies, while Governor Jeb Bush admitted the emergency relief effort "didn't work as it should."
AFP/Getty Images Photo: A mother and daughter leave with relief supplies at the Orange Bowl Stadium after Hurricane...
The White House, meanwhile, announced that President George W. Bush, the governor's brother, would visit the hurricane-damaged region Thursday.
In Mexico, officials estimated damage from the ferocious storm was costing 15 million dollars a day in lost tourism revenue from the glitzy Yucatan peninsula, while in Cuba tourism officials said the sector would be back on its feet in a week.
At least nine people died in Florida in connection with the storm that pummeled much of the Florida peninsula Monday, according to police and local media.
Hurricane damages were estimated between four and eight billion dollars in Florida, California-based risk analysis firm EQECAT said.
Before hitting Florida, Wilma had devastated Mexico's Yucatan peninsula and Cozumel island, leaving at least 10 people dead. Four people died in Cuba during pre-storm evacuations.
In Florida, all along the eastern coast, the same scene of desperation repeated itself. Thousands of people filled the streets in search of water, ice, food and gasoline (petrol) they needed to cope with widespread power outages.
Some six million people were still without electricity. The lack of power made restoring water pressure difficult.
More than 70 distribution points for water, ice and food had been opened in the state, the governor said, and their number should increase to more than 80 in the next few days.
Nevertheless, many of the aid centers did not function as expected Tuesday, and supplies were snapped up Wednesday as people waited in long lines for scarce aid.
The snags sparked criticisms of the state and federal governments, especially the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), still under fire for its slow response to the victims of Hurricane Katrina in late August.
The complex aid system "didn't work as it should yesterday, and I probably raised the bar too high... we did not meet those expectations and I accept responsibility for that," Governor Bush said at a news conference.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez said the provisions sent by FEMA to his county had already run out.
"Everything that the federal government has provided to us has been distributed... we're not holding back anything," he told reporters.
"It's the process and how it's structured, and it's flawed... and I'm not blaming anyone," he said, adding that the delivery of aid to the people had been bogged down for hours in red tape.
Acknowleding that people were "frustrated, disappointed, angry," the mayor said: "I think the system needs to be reviewed."
David Paulison, FEMA's acting director and a former chief of the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department, said the long lines seen Tuesday could have been avoided.
"That's why we tell people, have 72 hours of food and water, so you don't have to stand in line," Paulison said. "But regardless, we're going to make sure to increase the supply line."
Oh please! 3 days without power is a severe hardship?
These folks didn't have 3 days worth of food and water in their homes after a week of prep time?
I give up! Our Nation is now populated, nearly exclusively, by limp-wristed pansies that couldn't care for themselves if their lives depended on it.
Let Hillary win so the revolution can begin, already.
Three days without power ?
I just spoke to my uncle in Ft Lauderdale. He told me that they have been told to expect no power until November 8.
As if those folks down in S.FL actually listen to anyone.
FEMA should be put out to pasture and relief efforts should be coordinated by Wal-Mart.
Hours after the aftermath of Katrina, Wal-Mart was already on the scene with generators and supplies, while FEMA officials were giving rescue workers lessons in sexual harrassment and other PC bullfeces.
Depends on where he lives. They go for the lines that will bring the most customers online first. Then work out from there. If he lives in an outlying area then, yes, he could wait a few weeks.
What about those that weren't able to get that stuff?
I do tend to agree with you though.
Frankly, I really had to bite my tongue when a poster on the live Wilma thread who said he had stocked up, but went to the food handout lines just to keep his kids occupied. It makes me wonder how many others went just to get free stuff they didn't need.
My experience is that they try to get the big supplies distributors (like Wal-Mart) on line first so that they can begin selling (much-needed) supplies.
I can see that, along with hospitals, first responders, etc.
But my point being that the further out you live, the longer it will be.
Yup. Although, for Ivan, which was a more direct hit, I had electricity in two days. With Katrina, 7 days. I think a lot of the help probably went further west to harder hit areas with Katrina.
Where did all the Native Floridians go? That's right where I grew up and we never depended on any government aid after a hurricane. We had gas, candles, food, and whatever we need to sustain us for over a week. We knew there would be no electricity and somehow, survived without FEMA or any other relief from the state.
Everyone there was given a weeks notice that Wilma was coming and instructed to store up on items they are crying for now. Most of the older homes had gas for cooking and that doesn't go out during a power outage, will will last most of a week, if not longer.
Sorry, but with minimal planning and preparation, Broward County could have come through this with no trouble. Of course, they couldn't bash Bush had they taken care of themselves.
Paradise comes with a price. If you can't handle that, move back to New York.
If nothing else, I wouldn't want the hassle and inconvenience. Why stand in line when you could be drinking the bottled water you stocked up on in advance?
Unbelievable.
There were supply stations all over southern florida. One ran out of supplies and the media goes nuts calling it a failure.
In a large event like a hurricane the media will find anything to scream about.
Enough is enough. Supplies were brought down right away. No matter what happened people would be complaining. If they brought too many supplies down the media would call it a waste of money. No matter what happens you can't win with the MSM unless your Hillary.
I've got a picture of any Dem presidents or governors, past or present, accepting blame for ANYTHING, ever.
This continual self-flagellation doesn't help The Cause, and really ticks me off.
Leni
Three days worth of food and water? Here in blizzard country, we keep three WEEKS (at least) worth of food and water on hand.
Have you noticed that those who bitch most about the government are those who are most dependant on it?
I am so sick of whiners.
The news was giving them a pass on this tonight by saying that many people thought that the hurricane wouldn't roll over FL like it did, but stop after hitting the west coast.
And to think they just went through Katrina which did the same thing but in the other direction.
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