Here’s a fascinating first-hand account of the hurricane drill – “Hurricane Pam” – that Louisiana went through exactly to prepare for something like Katrina. It was a serious exercize, with some limited debate about whether the levees would breach. Then this:
There was a certain amount of contention, a few turf wars, some loud talk. None if it consequential, in the end, because of the single greatest emollient: FEMA. The Federal Emergency Management Agency promised the moon and the stars. They promised to have 1,000,000 bottles of water per day coming into affected areas within 48 hours. They promised massive prestaging with water, ice, medical supplies and generators. Anything that was needed, they would have either in place as the storm hit or ready to move in immediately after. All it would take is a phone call from local officials to the state, who would then call FEMA, and it would be done.
Read the whole thing. It’s a fascinating insight into what might have been done.
The Dish 