Are you confident in FEMA if a disaster strikes your city?
600702
Yes. I have complete faith in FEMA... but they are not a first responder.
162234
WHOAAAAAAAAAA........WAIT A MINUTE HERE...\nFOR YOUR INFORMATION KATRINA DISASTER HAPPENNED ON AUGUST OF LAST YEAR... AND EVEN IF FEMA WAS LATE AND THEY DROPPED THE BALL THEY ARE DOING EVERYTHING TO HELP THEM.. SINCE THE DISASTER HAPPENED FEMA GAVE EVERYONE 2K TO GET BACK ON THEIR FEET AND NEGOTIATED A PLAN WITH BANKS TO PARDON THEIR MORTGAGE FOR 6 MONHTS... AND ON DECEMBER THEY EXTENDED THEIR HELP TO FEBRUARY,, DON'T YOU THINK THAT THIS PEOPLE HAD ENOUGHT TIME TO SORT THEIR PROBLEMS OUT... ALSO THEY GAVE THEM SOMEWHERE TO LIVE LIKE HOTELS... FREE APARTMENTS, FREE HOUSING AND SORRY TO SAY IT BUT PEOPLE JUST GOT USED TO THE FREEBIES AND WON'T LIFT A FINGER TO GET BACK ON THEIR TRACKS.\nSO YES, ALL OF THAT HELP IS WEIGHTING DOWN ON THE GOVERMENT AND IS ABOUT TIME PEOPLE WAKE UP AND SMELL THE ROSES...
643601
I live in Florida so I know a little about hurricanes. 1) they are an act of nature and there is no defense against them 2) When one threatens my locale I go to a place where I will be safe and wait it out 3) Although governmental help is needed in the infrastructure each individual should be prepared to help themselves. I am aware that many people are not able to recover by themselves and need assistance, there is usually help to be had within a day or two. While I personally don't like president Bush I do ot hold him personally responsible for my well being. The agencies that are in place to provide relief have been in place far longer than he has been president. People who own their home should insure it, people who rent their homes can move, I know that this isn't a popular view but it is perhaps time that people began to take responsibility for their actions.
615594
I'm here.  So are lots of other people.  No, we are not still under flood waters.  Yes, a lot of the city was destroyed and still lies in ruins.  Come see for yourself.
616511
I just heard on the news this morning that hurricane season is once again upon us. They did say that it shouldn't be as bad as last year though.\n\nI don't know how the people that live in these areas do it...they really have to love where they're at to continue to live in the hurricane zones and rebuild or evacuate or whatever comes along. \n\nPersonally I am not that flexible with my life. I like stability and security.  Even if the insurance does cover the loss of the actual building and contents..you can never replace or put a value on your possessions or your life. \n\nI think the predictions hold some merit. They are just that...predictions,but I would definitely think twice before building in that area. Not the life for me.
685927
It could. Anything could happen. A tornado hit NH this past week, so anything can happen!! :)\n\nPlus, haven't you seen "Day After Tomorrow"? That had a ton of tornados in LA! Blew the whole damn city away.
359930
did you phone fema helpline?  if so, what did they tell you about rental assistance funds?
65
I don't have an article, but I was listening to NPR last night, and the commentator was saying the evacuation was really bungled due to an organization and communication problem. No one took charge and said, hey I'm running the show, get 2000 buses and send them down, because no one felt they were in charge. FEMA, State & local police, National Guard, all were not sure what the other guys were doing and so waited for overall direction, which never really came.
496098
No\nVery generalised and vague. I can do the same thing:\nThere is going to be an earthquake, a flood, a drought. \nSome leader is going to kill thousands of innocents.\nHey, I am right again!
500197
Try the Catholic Church, Salvation Army then try FEMA.
816730
the FEMA website will have emergency preparedness advice
28441
It depends on how big the hurricane is and how stable your house was.
632544
I believe I am able to react calmly and wisely in an emergency.  I have been a mom for 27 years and have run a daycare in my home for 19 years.  I keep my first aid and CPR certifications updated.  I am a person who likes to plan ahead and be prepared.  I am the one who organized the emergency fire plan for our home and conducts the drills.  I am also the one who usually watches out for the hospital signs when we travel, keeps her cell phone charged, and packs the first aid box.  Sometimes my family thinks I am crazy, but it makes me feel better to have these things in place.
1053367
It's popular to think that we should not depend on our government for help when there is a disaster. In fact, the federal government has probably the best resources for dealing with just such an event. The problem is in getting the bureaucratic mindset in gear for doing more than vegetating.
70222
I am not... But I would contact the city's local building department.  They typically require the elevation certificates and would know the best people locally to certify your elevation and flood zone.  You might also try contacting a surveyor.  He'll have the knowledge and equipment to locate your property's XYZ coordinates and compare that to current FEMA flood maps.
182994
Forget FEMA, ... the debacle was that people in the gulf-coast actually thought that government would rescue them.   We will know better next time.  The government is completely broken.
223540
Man that is going to be a touchy subject. I am in Houston and I have friends and family on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.\nSo I have seen the devastation and the destruction and the free loading first hand.\nLet me fist say that not everyone in N.O. needs a hand out. Some are good honest people and had the sense God gave a fly to get out of dodge before the storm. They will do so again. The ones that did not are the problem..\nDid they learn their lesson the first time - we will see?\n\nHowever!... If they choose to go back and it is a choice. I.E. There are a LOT of N.O. residents that are now residents of H town that are not going back.\nAnyway... If they choose to go back it should be at their peril.\nContrary to what "lynn" thinks. The Government does not owe them anything. That has been the problem all along. Too many people feel the U.S. Government should pay for their losses. Ahhh have ya ever heard of insurance? If you didn't have it before and you are going back it should be REQUIRED. \nThe government is not a charity. It was not established to support and bail out the people who are to stupid to plan for an emergency. It is not like they did not know they were below sea level, it is not like they did not know a storm was coming. An accident is unexpected and catches you by surprise... a majority of N.O residents feel like this was an accident. \nHow many of them are willing to move back there and pay 2 or 3 times the taxes they were paying to build stronger levees and better drainage systems? I doubt many. So what... the rest of the tax paying U.S. is supposed to foot the bill?\nWRONG. \nIf they did not know before, they know now. N.O is below sea level and will flood. Anyone that rebuilds there should do so at their own expense and risk.\nI would be happy to come spend a few days "helping", that is what neighbors do... but do not expect me to pay for any aspect of your choosing to live there.\nIf I build my next home on the rail road tracks... there is a higher than probable chance that it is going to get hit by a train.... duh.\nThe people of the US and the US Gov. have given and given and are still giving... Don't expect us to do it again.\nAs to where are they supposed to go...\nAnywhere? As I said... there are lots of them here in Houston and to the best of my knowledge there are 49 other states to choose from. I mean come on... \nBurn me once shame on you, burn me twice shame on me. NO THEY GOV SHOULD NOT PAY TO EVACUATE THEM.\nDon't look for the free hand out. Make a better choice.\n\nAdditional Comments:\nI don't think anyone should NOT move back there. I do however think it should be at their own risk. Put it anyway you want... It is BELOW SEA LEVEL and building there INVITES problems. I just heard on the news not an hour ago that the cost to rebuild the levees is now over 10 Billion. \n\nThat money should not have to come from the federal Government and the rest of the citizens of the U.S. Nor should any future federal funds for the next time. The lessons have been taught and should have been learned. If you can't afford to insure your property to the level of replacement... you shouldn't live there and expect me to pay for it. \n\n\nGo ahead rebuild. I am all for it. As I said I would be happy to help. Point in case... I am leaving Tuesday 4/12 for my third trip back to Mississippi to help rebuild... So the work is not the issue. I just think the same values and nuances you and others are so fond of could be relocated to a safer place.\n\nBottom line it is not the buildings it is the people that make it.\n\nand Yes I have been there several times.