They were expedited based on the hurricane 2 days before it hit, the catastrophe occurred on Tuesday when the levy actually broke and flooded the city, (remember the press reporting the NO dodged the bullet on Monday)so the second part
under extreme circumstances, suspended in the immediate aftermath of an event of catastrophic magnitude."
really would not have been inacted until after Tuesday or after confirmation that the levees were giving way. I am trying to recall when Bush first used the phrase, an "event of national significance" as that would indicate when they were starting to move on the second part...I believe it was Wednesday and that would've been a timely response given to size and scope of the affected area and how quickly the damage assessments were coming in. Perhaps some other Freepers can pull that part up on a timeline. When did Bush announce DHS was taking over or use the phrase 'event of national significance.'
My sole point is for those who believe, or advocate, that the Federal response was constrained by the lack of a state request. The NRP shows about as clearly as it can that, in catastrophic circumstances, a state request is not a prerequisite to Federal action.