The Disaster is the Response to a natural or manmade catastrophe from the state and federal levels. I have family in Ocean Springs, Pascagoula, Mississippi and Mobile, Alabama. As of 11:30 a.m. this day, September 2, 2005, my family in the listed towns have not seen, heard or located any relief from FEMA, Red Cross, Federal Government, State Government or any other relief agencies. My family lived through Hurricane Camille in 1969 in Pascagoula, MS.

After the Hurricane Camille left, almost immediately there was relief being made available. One of my sisters that lives in Texarkana, AR was able to load up their truck with 150 gallons of gasoline, food, water, Toilet paper, (Yes even the minute things mean a lot!) and other provisions to help them survive at least another 3 to 4 days.

I'm am just amazed that this country has a "Homeland Security" that for all what it now seems is just another pork barrel agency...
Excuse me, Can anyone tell me why that Department doesn't have a plan of action for a natural or manmade disaster??? It is really pityful... who is goning to take action and ask why these folks had to suffer, and even die for the inept actions of our government???

Worse than Sept. 11?? No, the Hurricane that struck was NOT worse than Sept. 11th. September 11 was a disaster that was deliberately PLANNED and EXECUTED by evil men on innocent people. This hurricane was NOT anyone's 'fault' and was not 'planned' by men or were innocents 'executed.' Yes, there were deaths, but it was not 'evil' that did this in Louisiana.

When there is a tragedy, call it what it is, but don't call something that happened worse than evil...there is NOTHING worse than evil.

What IS worse than September 11th is the behavior AFTER the hurricane struck. After September 11th people stood united...victim's families united as well as the rest of the world in this disastor. After Katrina the victims themselves turned on FELLOW VICTIMS! They turned on the very HELP that was trying to be given! They hurl out that PEOPLE are at 'fault' for the situation when, as you said, NO ONE could have predicted how bad it would be!

The only thing 'worse' about this, than Sept. 11th was the depravity shown AFTER the emergency.

And somehow I imagine that if all of NY had been left without food, electricity, or running water for 5 whole days after 9/11 while being told that "help is on the way", you probably would've seen a similar amount of looting and chaotic, illegal behaviour. The emergency response to this situation has been truly and totally abysmal.

as tragic as the devastation is in New Orleans, Biloxi and other areas devastated by the hurricane, it could have been much worse had those that evacuated not have left. My question is why those who remained in NO did not evacuate? Those who were able bodied and not caring for elderly or homebound family could have started walking to higher ground and not wait for disaster to strike.

It also appears that the local and state governments were not prepareed to have mandatory evacuations of these areas. There over all response seems to be what do we do now. I thought FEMA and other emergency response agencies planned for worst case scenarios and not wait for disaster to strike to come up with plans. The relief efforts now need to be stepped up and the full might of the US Gobernment needs to be placed in effect. The armed forces of this nation have the man power and means to establish refugee camps with water, sanitation, medical and food and shelter. As started in previous years "Let's Roll America."

Stupidity in New Orleans

New Orleans is certainly a tradegdy, but there is a strong element of stupidity that made it much worse than it could have been. I realize this is a politically incorrect statement, but it needs to be said.

Much of New Orleans is below sea level, which means it will start filling up with water if the pumps go down. Severe storms occur every decade or so in the area, so you expect to have power disruptions.

So - why didn't they have deisel generators at all the pumphouses? I suspect it is because they, like Augusta, don't want to spend money on something that only happens every now and then, no matter how catastrophic the consequences.

What condition is Augusta's levee in? I know Clarks Hill Dam has prevented flooding for a long time. But, there are a number of breeches that would have to be filled in quickly. Can it be done in a reasonable amount of time? In emergency conditions?

I don't know, but I hope the city pays attention to New Orleans and does what needs to be done.

It is always easy to place blame. Why do we tell people to evacuate when we know they won't. Should they be dragged kicking and screaming from thier homes, for their own safety? The governor should be held responsible for some of this. She is the person who needs to request help from the Federal Government. Yes, those people would yell, keep the Government out of our personal lives, but, have a disaster and everyone is yelling, why didn't our Government help us!