You can’t look at Bush’s response, because the governor of LA had not requested help. I don’t excuse Bush, because I think he should have broken the law and gone into LA anyway, but it isn’t as clear cut as Bush didn’t do anything.
Has TX already put in their request to the fed to declare certain counties disasters? That’s what they need to do if they haven’t.
I don’t credit the fed when FL gets through a hurricane well, I credit the state, even though the fed does help us.
It’s our governor who requests help before the storm so communication is unnecessary immediately after. It’s our governor who gets on TV in 4 languages before the storms hits and gets the message out. It’s our local news that gets the evacuation information out. It’s our local news and municipalities that inform residents when bridges will be locked. It’s our state that reverses the highways so all lanes, both sides, travel one direction. Literally, sections of the interstate and turnpike has been all lanes one direction during evacuations. Its very odd to see. It’s our state that suspends toll fees. It’s our local news that reinforces there will be zero emergency services to help you once winds are sustained above 40, you will be on your own. No police, no ambulance, no fireman. It’s our state evacuation and shelter plans that keep people safe. It’s our local police that go close to the beach knocking on doors and doing what they can to evacuate the areas.
FEMA is very important in the aftermath, but so much goes into it beforehand. If people are evacuated well there is less urgency for FEMA.