Umm, FEMA is around because natural disasters are most of the time too big for municipalities and even states to handle effectively. If that weren't the case, there would be no need for FEMA.

His disaster declaration was FEMA's cue to take the fuck over.

Did they? No. Were they supposed to have a plan? Umm, yeah. Isn't that what the whole Dep't of Homeland Security overhaul was all about?

It's probably because W chose the most inept man on the planet to lead the organization - he and I both literally have the same qualifications for the job and I don't know shit about it.
bhallg2k Reviewed by bhallg2k on . LA Gov. Asked Bush to Declare Nat'l Disaster on Sep. 28 http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article10152.htm That link is a .pdf file of the actual request made by Louisiana Governor Blanco to the White House to declare Louisiana a disaster a full two days before the storm hit. It requests that the state be given (these are all names of types of help the federal government gives under law) Individual Assistance including the Individual and Household program, Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Crisis Counseling, Public Assistance, Small Rating: 5