Hurricane Katrina: No solution in sight
Padrick Dennis
Issue date: 12/7/05 Section: Opinion
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Unless I'm arguing that they are too liberal, I usually don't criticize George W. Bush and his administration. I didn't criticize FEMA early on after Katrina, but three months later, the gross incompetence has become all too apparent. In addition to ridiculous shortcomings by the Department of Homeland Security, some of the promises made by President Bush and Congress immediately after Katrina are fading into the shadows and likely will not be carried out.
First, FEMA has been placing about 450 campers daily. While that seems like a large number, the reality of the situation is that after three months, not even half of those approved for campers have received them. In the meantime, FEMA has put a deadline on paying for hotels and living arrangements for those displaced by Katrina. Somebody is obviously lacking a brain here. Though many people have been approved for campers, the number of people denied is startling.
Next, debris removal and road repair has been halted due to lack of funding. Congress has yet to approve recovery requests for Mississippi, which has resulted in a backup in reimbursing state and local governments. Clean-up might not appear to be a big deal, but for a state that has already spent a quarter of its annual budget on debris removal and repairs, funding is an immediate problem.
Additionally, two major bridges in South Mississippi need replacement, but the Mississippi Department of Transportation, awaiting federal reimbursement, has run out of money. That problem is even more pressing for local governments that have lost nearly all of their tax bases. My town, Pass Christian, for example, lost 80 percent of housing and all businesses, save one snow cone stand.
Most of all, the new FEMA recommendation for flood elevations have to be among the most idiotic documents to come from our government. With emphasis on the storm surge from Katrina, which exceeded the previous record set by Hurricane Camille by five to ten feet, FEMA has recommended that flood elevations be up to eight feet higher than previous elevations.
First, FEMA has been placing about 450 campers daily. While that seems like a large number, the reality of the situation is that after three months, not even half of those approved for campers have received them. In the meantime, FEMA has put a deadline on paying for hotels and living arrangements for those displaced by Katrina. Somebody is obviously lacking a brain here. Though many people have been approved for campers, the number of people denied is startling.
Next, debris removal and road repair has been halted due to lack of funding. Congress has yet to approve recovery requests for Mississippi, which has resulted in a backup in reimbursing state and local governments. Clean-up might not appear to be a big deal, but for a state that has already spent a quarter of its annual budget on debris removal and repairs, funding is an immediate problem.
Additionally, two major bridges in South Mississippi need replacement, but the Mississippi Department of Transportation, awaiting federal reimbursement, has run out of money. That problem is even more pressing for local governments that have lost nearly all of their tax bases. My town, Pass Christian, for example, lost 80 percent of housing and all businesses, save one snow cone stand.
Most of all, the new FEMA recommendation for flood elevations have to be among the most idiotic documents to come from our government. With emphasis on the storm surge from Katrina, which exceeded the previous record set by Hurricane Camille by five to ten feet, FEMA has recommended that flood elevations be up to eight feet higher than previous elevations.