Why were relief efforts to Katrina so slow?

Answer 1

Releif was slow because a) the federal government did not expect a disaster of that magnatude b) the beuracracy between relief departments bogged down the response and c) the local government of New Orleans impeded the federal assistance.

Answer 2

There was more than one state that was affected by her. Katrina affected South Florida (Category 1), Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and a part of the FL panhandle. In Louisiana, the devastation was unbelievable and there was a whole lot of damage in the other states as well. There were some problems getting to them. I understand that they were in the middle of a tragic natural disaster and that they were frustrated, but at the same time New Orleans in below sea level and with at the time was a category 5 hurricane (4 when it hit). The storm surge alone would devastate them, not including the wind and the extra rain that they received. I totally understand that people stayed back because they wanted to secure their property. Katrina was a monster when she was charging towards that part of the gulf. When everything is taken from you and you are looking for help, it seems like forever when help comes. At the same time I think that the rescue teams were not prepared for the amount of devastation that Katrina brought on. When the levee's broke it made it even worse. I would like to think that preparation would be better this year. The food banks are running low, blood is running low, there is some many things that have to be done through donations as well as professional. I think that if we, as the United States, stand as one through everything (not only when there is a war or a threat against us), it could help things run smoother.

Answer 3

Political appointees were put in charge of FEMA that did not have a clue how to provide services for a devastated region, or even who the responders should be.
Many many agencies were turned away or sent to park in some other state when they asked FEMA to coordinate their services.

I really do suspect that the mess that was Katrina was an attempt to make political hay with a democratic mayor and governor. Bush's grab at control of the Louisiana national Guard when they were on their own state soil was just plain crazy.

And the failed evacuation of Houston shortly after Katrina should show that evacuation of a large city is not a solution. Had Rita hit Houston, many more deaths would have occurred.

Answer 4

Relief was slow because of many factors. President Bush had nothing to do with any of them. 1) Our government was not expecting so many stupid people to stay down there and try to fight it out, especially after a mandatory evacuation was ordered. Our government was probably expecting a few thousand people to ignore that order, not one million. So obviously they couldn't get to one million people. 2) Mayor Nagin and Governor Blanco essentially did nothing to aid in the evacuation or rescue of stranded victims. I mean shouldn't we be blaming these people before President Bush? Bush lives in Washington and has 3,537,441 square miles of country to oversee, while Mayor Nagin has one city and the Governor has one state. 3) The people living down there were very selfish. They pretty much said hey, I'm not going to try and travel 100 miles in dry weather to leave, but I expect you to travel 100 miles in 10 feet of water to come rescue me. They could have saved us all alot of time and money if they weren't so lazy and left the area when they were ordered to. The only people that actually needed to be "rescued" or "assisted" were the elderly and handicapped, but because the streets and buses were filled with able-bodied lazy people, there was no room. I don't, and probably never will, understand why people blame President Bush. People blame him for not rebuilding the levees, yet if you look back every single US president from Kennedy to Carter to Clinton to Bush have denied a bill to rebuild them. So every other President is just as responsible as Bush, yet the Democrats will find any excuse to criticize him.

Answer 5

What is sad is not that the relief was so slow (poor executive planning) but is that the city of New Orleans was not better protected. They knew that the city could not handle a storm that big. But did they do anything about it? no. Also the excuation system was a joke.

Answer 6

last tiem i checked the president isn't in charge of new orleans, or gulf port, or any other hurricane area. that's why we appoint MAYORS AND GOVERNORS to overlook these cities and ask for help from the federal government. it's just another fabrication by liberals to bash bush, whats new! i think it woudl kill a liberal to tell the truth @ least once in there life. to do that would take gaining morals, something liberals don't have. the word isn't even in there vocabulary. why don't we talk instead about all the so called "victims" of the hurricane using there government money to buy big screen tv's and rims to "pimp" out there rides, and here they are bitching about not having a place to live! i say don't rebuild new orleans, the place was trash to begin with, and lock up these idiots who are stealing tax payers dollars to buy material things!

Answer 7

apathy toward the well being of citizens. helping people does not line the governments pocket. when a disaster happens and companies tied to the government get contracts, that does line the pockets.

Answer 8

When you call the police to come to your aid do they show up immediately? as far as i know they are always late especially if it has to do with danger, I believe they wait on purpose they are looking out for their safety the public is last.

Answer 9

slow minded president

Answer 10

the real question is why didnt the people get out when they were warned, they knew it was comin