FEMA Chief Waited Until After Storm Hit

NewsMax ^ | September 7, 2005 | NewsMax Wires

[defenderSD]

This was a highly unusual storm: a powerful catagory 5 hurricane heading on a projected track straight into New Orleans. I think the last time that happened was Hurricane Betsy in 1965, so it's the kind of storm that happens once every fourty years or so. The other key fact is that New Orleans sits in a bowl below sea level so it's extremely vulnerable to flooding. I understand what you're saying and the dangers of forced government evacuations, but in this specific case an evacuation was a good idea. It does need to happen with great transparency of course, in full view of the news media.

[navysealdad]

This went to the Dome.

[spunkets]

"I sense that you're upset."

Not really. I thought it was rather funny that anyone would think Brown was a redneck, or that he's anything more than a PR man. Bush and the others I mentioned were probably upset. After all, Bush declared the disaster early, because they saw what was coming.

[M. Espinola]

"Your response points something out that also needs to be considered. People are still being tended to from last years hurricanes...not to mention the two already this year before Katrina."

I do not dispute the ongoing devastating realities of what the last couple of years worth of hurricanes has inflicted on so many Americans, in the various paths of these deadly tropical storms.

"Just think about what some are asking for, here."

A more coordinated response would be a good start :)

On a side note relating to storms & flooding, while the Gulf coastline & Florida were being slammed by Katrina, two super-typhoons were bringing destruction to portions of Asian nations. Typhoon 'Nabi' Hits Japanese Production

Even as Japan is in the midst of recovering from Typhoon 'Nabi' rampage, this madness takes place: Masked men spray Japan students with powder.

(red)China: Typhoon Talim leaves 99 dead, 36 missing

The week before Hurricane Katrina there was a Disaster in Europe: Fires out, flood waters recede (heavy graphics) (8-25-05)

Yesterday a Strong quake jolted Taiwan (6.1)

Current Full Disk View of the Americans/Atlantic Ocean

[Nellie Wilkerson]

I think it far more likely that the officials in Florida were far more prepared than the officials in LA, and therefore the combination of federal (FEMA) and local emergency government was seamless.

---

Exactly. I live in West Florida and I called emergency management in two counties to ask why our response to Ivan was better than the current response to Katrina. In both instances I was told, "Because we have a plan." And one added, "And we followed it."

The state of Florida requires counties to submit a disaster plan. The state's overall plan meshes with the county plans.

Florida's state disaster plan is #2 in the nation.

I asked, "Who's ahead of us?"

"California."

The opinion at one office was that Louisiana and Mississippi are complacent because they haven't had a disaster in a long time. One lady said, "The whole country is complacent."

[ForGod'sSake]

...but fer the luvva Pete can you explain why whoever is behind the following idiocy is still employed?

You're kidding right? The federales are nothing if not PC in the present Dim/MSM/ACLU dominated world. Yer basic MSM hit piece. Out of maybe several hundred firemen, they find a few disgruntled ones to quote to give the proper perspective? If there's any meat here, it ain't much IMO.

[M. Espinola]

Schmuck, do not refer to me as "Aha; troll #2"

[pepperhead]

I'll bet John and Ken on KFI radio are a highly reliable source of information.

Don't they look like they are? ;)

[pepperhead]

Was he under investigation before the Hurricane?

Yes he was.

[metesky]

Is it SOP to wait?

No, you always charge blindly in while the storm is still raging. That way many of your employees can get killed too, so the media can't blame you.

[navysealdad]

Subject: FEMA

So putting 229,328 people in 679 shelters in 12 states in 5 days is pathetic? You are either Katy Couric or the Mayor of New Orleans

FEMA

http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=18618

To date:

• In Louisiana, there are 30 Disaster Medical Teams (DMAT); 2 Veterinary Assistance Teams (VMAT); 1 Mental Health Team; and 4 Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Teams (DMORT)
• In Mississippi, there are 11 DMATs; 1 Mental Health Team; 2 VMATs; and 4 DMORTS
• There have been 9,400 hospital evacuations and all hospitals as well as 30 nursing homes in New Orleans have been evacuated
• A portable hospital from Nevada arrived at New Orleans airport yesterday
• The 1,000-bed USS Comfort is scheduled to arrive in the Gulf Coast area tomorrow
• A Department of Defense mobile hospital is operational at the New Orleans airport
• DMORT sites are set up in Gabriel, La., and Gulfport, Miss. Each site has four DMORT teams and one portable morgue.
• As of yesterday, 229,328 people were in 679 shelters in 12 states
• Two million meals ready to eat (MREs) were delivered to Gulfport, Miss., last night, making a total of 8.5 million MREs that have been delivered in response to Hurricane Katrina
• FEMA is working with the American Red Cross to provide vouchers to evacuees in shelters
• Three Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs), where hurricane victims can get assistance, are opening in Alabama today making a total of five there; four DRCs are open in Texas
• Disaster food stamps are available in Louisiana
• More states are preparing to receive Hurricane Katrina evacuees -- 15 states and the District of Columbia are currently housing or preparing to house evacuees
• 1.1 million barrels of diesel have been shipped to New Orleans

[ForGod'sSake]

Not until you begin to act like a thinking conservative with at least a smattering of rudimentary comprehension skills.

[VictoryGal]

It's achingly, unbelievably stupid that FEMA asks for firefighters to ask as leaflet distributors. Can't a pack of unskilled schmoes do this? The FEMA site admits that it wanted firemen to act as frikkin Walmart greeters. This was not invented by the MSM.

The mandatory PC sexual harassment class that they were supposed to take before skilled emergency workers handed paper out like tatooed/pierced losers advertising an after-hours club is just the cherry on top of this steaming pile.

I ask you. Isn't the genius that came up with this worthy of having a boot slammed into his worthless posterior?

[navysealdad]

What should they do? Show a Unpositive image. Are you always this stupid?

[billbears]

Please enlighten me. I'm so enthralled by those that continue to excuse leaders because they have the 'right' letter by their name. Especially leaders that apparently can't even hold down a job as a horse show coordinator. I can only imagine how taxing that job was and how it prepared him to be the leader of FEMA

[navysealdad]

Yes, before.

[navysealdad]

Why don't you read his bio.

[M. Espinola]

"This is what John and Ken were yelling about today. Brown has no business heading FEMA. He was FIRED from his previous job of running horse shows. He got his job at FEMA due to cronyism."

Bingo, absolutely correct. This is a fine time to have a political hack in such a key national security position. 'Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) plans hearings on the agency's performance since the hurricane'. Yet the minority of Brown's supporters act like FEMA did a wonderful job dealing with Katrina from day one.

It's time this guy returns to supervising horse-shows since 'horseman' did not win, place or show when most needed.