Storms 411

Day 23 – 9/14/05, 9/11 Commissioners Blast Katrina Response

They say government has failed to act on recommendations

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Members of the former 9/11 commission blasted Congress and the Bush administration Wednesday for inaction on some of its recommendations, which the former chairman said could have saved lives in Hurricane Katrina.

"If Congress does not act, people will die -- I cannot put it more simply than that," said former New Jersey Gov. Thomas Kean, referring to what could happen in the next major disaster or terrorist attack.

He said it was a "scandal" that more has not been done to improve the job of first responders in the four years since the terrorist attacks of September 2001.

"Hurricane Katrina pointed out serious flaws in our emergency preparedness and response. And what is frustrating to us is that [these are] many of the same problems we saw in 9/11 and the response to that disaster," said Kean, a Republican. [Read more - CNN]

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Bush Takes Blame for Flaws in Katrina Response

President heading to Louisiana on Thursday for primetime speech

WASHINGTON - President Bush said Tuesday that "I take responsibility" for failures in dealing with Hurricane Katrina and that the disaster raised broader questions about the government's ability to respond to natural disasters as well as terror attacks.

"Katrina exposed serious problems in our response capability at all levels of government," Bush said at joint White House news conference with the president of Iraq.

"To the extent the federal government didn't fully do its job right, I take responsibility," Bush said.

The president was asked whether people should be worried about the government's ability to handle another terrorist attack given failures in responding to Katrina.

"Are we capable of dealing with a severe attack? That's a very important question and it's in the national interest that we find out what went on so we can better respond," Bush replied.

He said he wanted to know both what went wrong and what went right. [Read more - MSNBC] [See Video]

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Day 20 – 9/10/05, FEMA Chief Removed from Katrina Duties

In a tacit admission that Hurricane Katrina rescue efforts were mishandled, the Bush administration Friday replaced Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Michael Brown as the point man for the massive federal relief operation.

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Brown will return to Washington and resume his duties as head of FEMA, where he will focus on making sure the agency is prepared to deal with other potential disasters.

Brown is being replaced by Coast Guard Vice Adm. Thad Allen, 46, who had been leading the hurricane recovery effort in New Orleans and brings significant experience in dealing with disasters, including the 2001 terrorist attacks in New York. The replacement of Brown with Allen, who was informed of his promotion Friday at 10 a.m., was welcome news to Louisiana officials.

“Two problems have prevented FEMA from fulfilling its duty: a lack of leadership and a lack of resources,” said U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La. “The administration has fixed half of that equation today. Now we must find a way to fix the rest.” [Read more - NOLA]

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Day 12 – 9/3/05, Mississippians' suffering overshadowed

JACKSON, Miss. — Mississippi hurricane survivors looked around Saturday and wondered just how long it would take to get food, clean water and shelter. And they were more than angry at the federal government and the national news media.

Richard Gibbs was disgusted by reports of looting in New Orleans and upset at the lack of attention hurricane victims in his state were getting.

"I say burn the bridges and let 'em all rot there," he said. "We're suffering over here too, but we're not killing each other. We've got to help each other. We need gas and food and water and medical supplies." [Read more - WWLTV]

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Day 10 – 9/1/05, FEMA Chief: Victims Bear Some Responsibility

The director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency said Thursday those New Orleans residents who chose not to heed warnings to evacuate before Hurricane Katrina bear some responsibility for their fates.

Michael Brown also agreed with other public officials that the death toll in the city could reach into the thousands.

"Unfortunately, that's going to be attributable a lot to people who did not heed the advance warnings," Brown told CNN.

"I don't make judgments about why people chose not to leave but, you know, there was a mandatory evacuation of New Orleans," he said. [Read more - CNN]

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Day 11 – 9/2/05, FEMA Calls on Homeland Security Workers for Help

WASHINGTON — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (search) is seeking 2,000 Homeland Security Department workers to spend two weeks carrying out duties in the area devastated by Hurricane Katrina (search).

FEMA director Michael Brown told Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff (search) in a letter that he needs 1,000 people within 48 hours and 2,000 within a week.

Training will be provided in Emmitsburg, Md., Atlanta or Orlando and special skills, such as being bilingual or having a commercial driver's license are important.

The volunteers are being told they must be able to work long hours, outdoors, all day and to bring:

— Sunscreen, sun hat and sunglasses.
— Walking shoes.
— Mosquito repellant.
— Medication, both over the counter and prescription.
— Valid driver's license.
— Government ID.
— Cash (ATMs may not be working).
— Government cell phone, computer, blackberry.
— Appropriate clothing (walking shorts acceptable).
— Rain gear.

Senate OKs $10.5B for Katrina Victims

WASHINGTON — Congress rushed to provide a $10.5 billion down payment in relief aid for Gulf Coast victims of Hurricane Katrina on Thursday as President Bush ordered new action to minimize disruptions in the nation's energy supplies. The Senate approved the measure Thursday night, and the House will convene at noon on Friday to speed the measure to Bush's desk.

"Don't buy gas if you don't need it," the president urged consumers already hit by sharply rising prices. [Read more - Fox News]

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