re: grant62 was the delay with help intentional ?
Hi Christian,
And Washington's direct response to Louisana's request (which concerned the designation and deployment of FEMA assistance) was similarly dated 27 August (see, text below).
The difference is between the (1) FEMA response which Louisana sought and received, and (2) the subsequent Presdiential declaration which was required in order to fully deploy troops, and release billions in Federal funding relief (this was dependent upon the proper legal channels which Louisana did not implement until well after the 27th).
Maybe an exercise in semantics, but Washington was accused of not acting, when in fact it did act, and provided the level /scale of response (via FEMA) that Louisana initially sought.
...................................................... Emergency Aid Authorized For Hurricane Katrina Emergency Response In Louisiana
Release Date: August 27, 2005 Release Number: HQ-05-169
» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Katrina » More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Katrina
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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, today announced that Federal resources are being allocated to support emergency protective response efforts response efforts in the parishes located in the path of Hurricane Katrina.
Brown said President Bush authorized the aid under an emergency disaster declaration issued following a review of FEMA's analysis of the state's request for federal assistance. FEMA will mobilize equipment and resources necessary to protect public health and safety by assisting law enforcement with evacuations, establishing shelters, supporting emergency medical needs, meeting immediate lifesaving and life-sustaining human needs and protecting property, in addition to other emergency protective measures.
The parishes of Allen, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Caldwell, Claiborne, Catahoula, Concordia, De Soto, East Baton Rouge, East Carroll, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Franklin, Grant, Jackson, LaSalle, Lincoln, Livingston, Madison, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Pointe Coupee, Ouachita, Rapides, Red River, Richland, Sabine, St. Helena, St. Landry, Tensas, Union, Vernon, Webster, West Carroll, West Feliciana, and Winn were designated eligible for assistance. In addition, federal funds will be available for public safety debris removal and emergency protective measures at 75 percent of approved costs.
Brown named William Lokey of FEMA to coordinate the federal relief effort. FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
