Obama's Next Problem: Hurricanes

Obama briefed on hurricanes

Obama will soon have one more problem to contend with: Hurricanes. Obama needs to start walking on water--NOW.
Economy, terrorists, North Korea, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, floods, tornadoes, oil spills. Did I miss anything? What a mess. I'm sorry, but I truly think people are wrong in about the Obama administration's response to the oil disaster. There is no doubt that oil companies have corrupted government. But that didn't just happen during the Obama administration. That's been a long time coming. The big lesson here is business without proper oversight will succumb to greed every time. Every government agency could probably use an overhaul, because the next disaster is looming.

I've just about had it with the republicans. Exactly what will it take for them to actually do something?

I hear people saying why didn't BP try "top kill" sooner? It's because BP has been engineering top kill since the beginning of the disaster and it took that long to get it right. It's a horrible thing that happened. People are angry. But they don't have the facts.

The Obama administration is getting slammed by the media. Once the media buys into a narrative, they all follow each other, and then they're all over a story until it makes you nuts. Their coverage only encourages people to be defensive. MSNBC's biggest hack has a story about Obama being too cool. I will never understand that criticism.

The media holds up James Carville as an example that even democrats are angry. Carville isn't a democrat. He's a Clinton democrat. I've rarely ever heard him have a good word to say about Obama. He's a political machine. He's also really annoying. For me, he's up there with Sarah Palin, Dylan Ratigan and Keith Olbermann. Ick.

Statement by the Press Secretary on the President's Hurricane Preparedness Briefing

“President Obama was briefed by FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, NOAA Administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco and National Hurricane Center Director Bill Read, as well as five FEMA Regional Administrators adding their local prospective, on the outlook for hurricane season and the Federal government’s efforts to prepare all Federal partners, state and local governments, the private sector and the public for hurricanes and other emergencies.

Early today, NOAA announced it expects an “active to extremely active” hurricane season this year.

Under the President’s direction, the entire Federal family is working together to ensure not only that the Federal government is doing everything to prepare for the coming season, but that the public knows of the critical role they have in making sure they are prepared for storms and other emergencies, to include having up-to-date evacuation plans.

The President stressed that the government must ensure we consider the effects the BP oil spill could have on storms, response capabilities, and recovery efforts in planning for this year’s season but that those considerations do not change the primary mission of emergency management officials during a response, which is to support state efforts to protect lives and property.

In addition, the President urged that Secretary Napolitano and Administrator Fugate continue to be in close contact with Governors, congressional delegations, and emergency managers in hurricane-prone states to ensure they have all the tools and resources needed to prepare for, respond to, and recover from any potential hurricanes.”

For a White House blog post by FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate on hurricane preparedness, please click HERE

Below is a list of attendees at today’s meeting:
Vice President Joe Biden
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano
FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate
NOAA Administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco
National Hurricane Center Director Bill Read
Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism John Brennan
Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change Carol Browner
Domestic Policy Director Melody Barnes
OMB Director Peter Orzag
Deputy FEMA Administrator Rich Serino
FEMA Associate Administrator for Response and Recovery Bill Carwile
NOAA Director of Marine and Aviation Operations Center Rear Admiral Philip Kenul
Five FEMA Regional Administrators

Media Hammers Obama For Lack of Progress in New Orleans

Obama said it in his town hall--people expect him to have already solved world hunger.
The Morning Joe crew laments Obama didn't spend enough time in New Orleans and they say his response to a town hall question on Katrina wasn't good enough, that he was professorial. But Katrina wasn't at the forefront of the town haller's minds. There was only one question at the town hall on Katrina. The rest of the questions were about national issues, such as health care.
Then, the talking heads with sad faces went on to say there was no progress in New Orleans. They are dead wrong. See below.
Here's the deal. Obama has people. He's not a one-man show, despite the fact that he's here, there and everywhere.

He has people, such as Craig Fugate, head of FEMA, who has been getting sterling praise for getting things done in New Orleans. FEMA has a staff of people. Obama has staff who visit New Orleans.

FEMA has been coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security.
This video is just a bunch of talking heads trying to pretend like they truly care. "Let's name New Orleans Goldman Sachs." Ridiculous. Perhaps the talking heads do care. But they haven't done their research. All anyone has to do to find out what FEMA is doing in New Orleans is visit FEMA.gov:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

In August, FEMA announced major funding for New Orleans:

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) announced an additional $260.3 million for projects throughout the New Orleans area, including funding to Dillard University, Templeman Prison I and II and the Gaslight Apartments. These announcements bring the total public assistance funds obligated for Louisiana recovery projects since Jan. 20, 2009 to more than $1 billion.

"FEMA is working closely with our state and local partners to push money down into the hands of locals as quickly as possible," said FEMA's Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office Acting Director Tony Russell. "Our recent funding reflects these efforts to provide tremendous support so that projects can move toward completion." Read more here

Here is what FEMA is doing for railroad recovery:

Mayor Nagin gives an update in August:

Here's a list from Homeland Security on the accomplishments in Louisiana so far this year:

2009 Accomplishments in Louisiana*

Public Assistance
w Two joint teams established to resolve disputed Public Assistance Projects
w 73 disputed projects resolved
w $895 million in total Public Assistance funding in these sectors:
w Education: $404 million
w Public Works: $130.2 million
w Public Safety & Protection: $49.7 million
w Health Care: $54.5 million
w Public Infrastructure: $217 million
w Debris Removal/Emergency Protective Measures: $40.2 million

Mitigation
w $9.5 Million of a total of $23 Million granted to elevate and retrofit homes for 48 families in Orleans Parish.
w $1.2 Million granted for a floodwall to reduce the risk of flooding for Dozier Elementary School
w More than $2 Million for the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry to harden and retrofit buildings in Baton Rouge and Hammond


Individual Assistance
w 3,260 of households transitioned to permanent housing
w In June, FEMA announced very-low-cost mobile homes and park models through its Sales-to-Occupants program, ensuring that many more occupants would qualify to purchase their homes.

* January 20, 2009 – August 7, 2009

“The Town of Grand Isle has been working closely with FEMA, and throughout our determination we have acquired a good working relationship. FEMA sees our needs firsthand and does the best to see that our goals are accomplished. Our progress is moving along thanks to the dedication, persistence and hard work that our elected officials and FEMA have done.”

Grand Isle Mayor David Camardelle

Public Assistance and Mitigation Grant Funding for Major Projects
FEMA and DHS announced the following funding in 2009

January
w $3.7 million: St. Bernard Grand Ballroom
w $3 million for 20 reconstructions: City of Slidell Reconstruction grant
w $1.1 million: Slidell sewer system cleaning

February
w $3.8 million: Louisiana State University Modular Dental Clinic
w $46.5 million: Plaquemines Parish Pump Stations

March
w $9.5 million: Orleans Parish elevations of 48 homes
w $1.3 million: Xavier University hazard mitigation funding

April
w $13.1 million: Recovery School District building
w $8 million: Holy Cross Schools
w $3.5 million: SUNO mold remediation
w $2.7 million: Lakefront Airport Terminal Building repairs
w $15 million: Canal Street complex repair and mitigation efforts
w $2.2 million: Orleans Parish installation of 5,000 water meters
w $1.2 million: Celebration Christian School and Daycare replacement of contents
w $1.4 million: City of New Orleans Emergency Operations Center communication network
w $7.8 million: South Cameron High School and Elementary School replacement/consolidation
w $1.7 million: Louisiana Facility Planning and Control
w $1.1 million: Carrollton Water Treatment Plant
w $2.2 million: North and South Florissant Drainage Pump Stations
w $3.4 million: St. Bernard construction and demolition debris removal
w $4 million: Plaquemines Parish canals debris & sediment removal
There's lots more here.

Release from Homeland Security:

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano yesterday joined President Obama, Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan and White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley in New Orleans to see Hurricanes Katrina and Rita recovery efforts firsthand—her third visit to the Gulf Coast since January.
At the University of New Orleans, Secretary Napolitano joined President Obama, Secretary Donovan, Secretary Duncan and Chair Sutley at a town hall meeting to hear directly from Louisiana residents about ongoing rebuilding efforts.
During the town hall, President Obama highlighted the Long Term Recovery Working Group, co-chaired by Secretary Napolitano and Secretary Donovan, which will provide operational guidance for recovery organizations and help ensure a more resilient nation.
Additionally, Secretary Napolitano attended the National Fusion Center Directors Meeting to discuss the Department’s progress toward becoming the single focal point of information on homeland security threats for state and local law enforcement officers.
She also visited the Vessel Traffic Center, a U.S. Coast Guard-operated interagency facility responsible for managing 20 miles of complex waterways on the Lower Mississippi River, and received a briefing on current Coast Guard maritime operations.
Secretary Napolitano’s trip highlights DHS’ continued commitment to providing federal support for rebuilding and security efforts throughout the Gulf Coast through coordination with federal, state, local and tribal partners.

Jindal Pleased With Obama's FEMA Team

Gov. Bobby Jindal, R-La., says Obama's team has brought a more practical and flexible approach. Many local officials offer similar reviews. Even Doug O'Dell, former President George W. Bush's recovery coordinator, says the Obama administration's "new vision" appears to be turning things around.

Not too long ago, Jindal said in a telephone interview, Louisiana governors didn't have "very many positive things" to say about the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

But Jindal said he had a lot of respect for the current FEMA chief, Craig Fugate, and his team. "There is a sense of momentum and a desire to get things done," the governor said. Read the whole thing

Gibbs Press Briefing May 13

Obama Picks Craig Fugate to Head FEMA

He's no Brownie and he likes to kayak with his wife, even has a kayaking website.  

Swamp: President Obama intends to nominate the head of Florida's emergency management office to lead FEMA, a post that came under national scrutiny in 2005 over what many said was the inept response to the damage inflicted by Hurricane Katrina.

Obama's nominee will be Craig Fugate, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, according to the White House. Fugate was appointed to that position by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush in 2001, and was reappointed by Gov. Charlie Crist in 2006. Both are Republicans.

Obama said in a statement: "From his experience as a first responder to his strong leadership as Florida's Emergency Manager, Craig has what it takes to help us improve our preparedness, response and recovery efforts and I can think of no one better to lead FEMA. I'm confident that Craig is the right person for the job and will ensure that the failures of the past are never repeated.''

Fugate believes it's the state's responsibility to be secure in case of a disaster.

AP: After Hurricane Katrina, Fugate said there was too much focus on blaming the federal government for the botched response. He said in a 2006 interview with The Associated Press that it was the state's responsibility to prepare for such disasters, and the state should only turn to the federal government for help when the disaster is larger than the state can handle on its own.

Fugate's department was held up as a national model after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. He said then that the state had been preparing extensively for the threat of terrorism since the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and had done exercises for several possibilities, including cruise missile attacks.

Bio:

DisastersRUs: A Floridian with over 28 years experience in emergency services, Craig has been involved in public service most of his adult life. Growing up in Alachua County, Craig was an active member of the Santa Fe High School Chapter of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) earning the American Farmer Degree. Today he serves as the Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

In addition to emergency management, Craig and his wife Sheree are avid sea kayakers with a web site dedicated to paddling in North Florida at http://www.seakayakflorida.com/. As the Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, Mr. Fugate oversees an agency with 138 full time. The Florida Division of Emergency Management coordinates disaster response, recovery, preparedness and mitigation efforts with each of the state's 67 counties and local governments. In September 2003, the Florida Emergency Management Program became the first statewide emergency management program in the nation to receive full accreditation from the Emergency Management Accreditation Program.

From volunteer firefighter, Paramedic, and Lieutenant with Alachua County Fire Rescue, his career in emergency services included serving 10 years as the Emergency Manager for Alachua County, Florida.

In May of 1997, he was appointed Chief of the Bureau of Preparedness and Response with the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Over the next four years, the State of Florida faced numerous disasters while continuing to build a nationally recognized emergency management program. His role as the Chief of the State Emergency Response Team saw extensive action in 1998. Florida experienced the impacts of floods, tornadoes, wildfires, and Hurricane Georges resulting in over 200 days of activation for the State Emergency Response Team.

In October of 2001, Governor Bush appointed Mr. Fugate to serve as Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management. On December 18, 2006, Governor Elect Crist appointed Director Fugate to his administration, the role he continues today.

2004 saw the largest response to disasters in Florida history with one tropical storm and four hurricanes (Charlie, Frances, Ivan, and Jean) impacting the State.

2005 again was a record setting year for hurricanes, Florida was impacted by four hurricanes, three that made landfall, (Dennis, Katrina, and Wilma), and two tropical storms. Hurricane Katrina became the most costly natural disaster during its second landfall on the Louisiana and Mississippi Coast. Florida's State Emergency Response Team launched the State's largest mutual aid response under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact or EMAC in support of the impacted states. Hurricane Wilma made landfall on October 24 on Florida's SW Coast becoming the 3rd costliest storm in Florida's history.

Here he is talking about a hurricane exercise in 2008: