I wonder why it's in the news today? If this is SOP, why is there even a story?
Personally, I consider the key factor with reacting to Katrina a matter of "who is the governor of Mississippi vs who is the governor of Louisiana". Haley Barbour made it happen. Blanco let it happen. Big difference in approach based on conservative leadership in the face of disaster vs. liberal expectations of entitlement after failing miserably to prepare and act. Two very different, yet predictable outcomes emerged.