Bush's Efforts to Help Katrina Victims

UPDATE 9/7: Right Wing Nut House has a much better Katrina Response Timeline/. If you have any questions about what was and was not done, this will go a long way towards answering them.

UPDATE: Captain's Quarters has a CNN interview with GHWB and Clinton, both of whom defend President Bush's handling of the Hurricane. And isn't ridiculous that two former presidents have to waste their time doing this because the media wants to blame Bush for everything?

Here is some information about what the federal government has been doing to help Katrina.

It is pretty much verbatim from WhiteHouse.gov and it is surely incomplete. I would spend more time on this but I'd rather be actually helping people.

Still, I thought there needed to be some antidote to the vitriol out there.

Before I launch into things, I would also like to add that Lifelike Pundits notes that some nations are offering their condolences and Junk Yard Blog notes some (albeit few) are even offering aid (although Michelle Malkin is underwhelmed.

Condolences from leaders are free. Just try not to smirk too much or let the cameras see your crossed fingers.

What I would like to see is the outpouring of support from the PEOPLE of these nations...money's nice (and I suppose a little more oil wouldn't hurt, either) but it is the thought that counts.

Where are the vigils, the prayers, and the love?

Anyway, on to my main point...

Below you'll find a summary of the federal efforts to date to help Katrina victims and, below that, you'll find a brief timeline of federal efforts:

Task Force Response
The National Response Plan (NRP) fully mobilizes the resources of the entire federal government to support response and recovery efforts for state and local authorities…Secretary Chertoff has declared the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina an incident of national significance - the first-ever use of this designation.

FEMA Is Moving Resources And Supplies Into The Hardest Hit Areas As Quickly As Possible. To date, (FEMA) has deployed more than 50 Disaster Medical Assistance Teams, more than 25 Urban Search and Rescue task forces, eight swift water rescue teams, and two Incident Support Teams. FEMA is also working to deliver water, ice, meals, medical supplies, generators, tents, and tarps. There are currently more than 1,700 trucks which have been mobilized to move these supplies into position.

FEMA And The Army Corps of Engineers Are Working With Louisiana Officials To Repair The Breaches In The Levees To Stop The Flooding In New Orleans.

The Federal Government Is Working To Help Relocate Those Displaced By The Hurricane. Those in …the Superdome are being moved to the Astrodome in Houston, and FEMA is working to provide tents and shelter. In addition, the Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture, and Health and Human Services (HHS) are working with local communities to provide help to those who have been displaced from their homes.

This Morning, Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman Announced That The Strategic Petroleum Reserve Will Be Used To Help Fulfill Demand For Oil.

The Energy Department Is Working To Restore Electricity To Affected Areas.

EPA Has Issued Fuel Waivers To Expedite Relief and Recovery.

The Department Of Defense Is Moving Military Resources Into The Gulf States To Aid In Rescue And Recovery. Eight Navy ships have moved into the area with water, food, medicine, hospital facilities, berthing, and more. DOD has responded to all FEMA requests and is providing logistical help, including helicopters, activation of air stations in strategic areas, and strategic lift support.

The United States Coast Guard Is Conducting Search And Rescue….its efforts will continue until all those at risk are safe.

Health And Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt Has Declared A Public Health Emergency, Which Facilitates Provision Of Medical Services In The Affected Region. HHS has delivered requested medical supplies to Louisiana, including basic first aid materials, blankets and patient clothing, suture kits, sterile gloves, stethoscopes, blood pressure measuring kits, and portable oxygen tanks.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is working to address the risk of disease caused by Hurricane Katrina. HHS has placed 415 Public Health Service Officers on stand-by for deployment to support medical response in the affected states. HHS and CDC are working with local officials to identify hospital facilities, distribute medical supplies, and execute a public health plan to control disease and other risks to public health.


A Timeline

August 26
President Bush declares an emergency exists in the State of Louisiana and orders Federal aid to supplement state and local response efforts in the parishes located in the path of Hurricane Katrina; authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives, protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe

August 27
President Discusses Hurricane Katrina

THE PRESIDENT: This morning I spoke with FEMA Undersecretary Mike Brown and emergency management teams not only at the federal level but at the state level about the -- Hurricane Katrina. I've also spoken to Governor Blanco of Louisiana, Governor Barbour of Mississippi, Governor Bush of Florida, and Governor Riley of Alabama. I want to thank all the folks at the federal level and the state level and the local level who have taken this storm seriously. I appreciate the efforts of the governors to prepare their citizenry for this upcoming storm.

Yesterday, I signed a disaster declaration for the state of Louisiana, and this morning I signed a disaster declaration for the state of Mississippi. These declarations will allow federal agencies to coordinate all disaster relief efforts with state and local officials. We will do everything in our power to help the people in the communities affected by this storm.

Hurricane Katrina is now designated a category five hurricane. We cannot stress enough the danger this hurricane poses to Gulf Coast communities. I urge all citizens to put their own safety and the safety of their families first by moving to safe ground. Please listen carefully to instructions provided by state and local officials.

August 28
National Weather Service issued a bulletin predicting "devastating" damage rivaling the intensity of Hurricane Camille.

Katrina upgraded to Category 5; New Orleans mayor C. Ray Nagin, orders mandatory evacuation; establishes several "refuges of last resort," including Superdome, with 550 National Guard troops; mandatory evacuations were also ordered for other areas in Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi


August 29
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Louisiana and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by Hurricane Katrina beginning on August 29, 2005, and continuing.

For a period of up to 72 hours, Federal funding is available at 100 percent of the total eligible costs for emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance. The period of up to 72 hours at 100 percent excludes debris removal.

August 30
Secretary Of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff Activated The National Response Plan To Ensure That Help Gets To Those Most In Need.

August 31
President Bush convenes a Cabinet-level task force on Hurricane Katrina response and recovery

Cutting short his working vacation, he flies over Gulf States on the way to D.C.