public administration

wizard2024

writing_for_the_government_case1.pdf

Home >Government homework help >public administration

ee eBook Collection

P A R T 4 Case Studies

IS B

N 0-

55 8-

49 51

4- 1

joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka joka

IS B

N 0-558-49514-1

205

Hurricane Katrina is arguably the worst natural disaster in American history. “Katrina was an extraordinary powerful and deadly hurricane that carried a wide swath of catastrophic damage and inflected a large loss of life” (Knabb, Rhome, and Brown). The official death toll in August 2006 stood at 1,810, of which some 1,464 were dead in Louisiana, and there were 135 people still missing (Louisiana Department of Health), making Katrina rank as one of the deadliest hurricanes in the nation’s history (World Almanac). The property devas- tation estimate from Katrina topped $75 billion, the costliest in the nation’s history, nearly double that of the next costliest hurricane—Andrew, which hit south Florida in August 1992 (Knabb, Rhome, and Brown).

Katrina formed August 23, 2005, in the central Bahamas; it had become a Category 1 storm when it hit south Florida, moved into a Category 5 storm in the Gulf of Mexico, made landfall as a Category 3 storm in Louisiana with 127-mph winds (Pain), and finally dissipated August 31, 2005, over the eastern Great Lakes on its way into Canada. During its course, it wreaked havoc, destruction, and death through the Bahamas, south Florida, Cuba, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, and throughout eastern North America.

The greatest amount of damage and what the media captured most was the human suffering that resulted when levees breached and pumping stations stopped in the flood protection system for the “Crescent City,” New Orleans, which is primarily situated be- low sea level at a bend in the Mississippi River, with Lake Pontchartrain on the north and Lake Borgne on the east. Originally colonized by the French, New Orleans has a unique history and culture in the United States. It is the home of jazz, uniquely American music, and some of the best food in the world. It is one of the country’s major ports and has ranked as a key commercial and industrial center in the Southeast. It has been the head- quarters for oil and chemical distribution and shipping, food processing, and shipbuild- ing and repairing. It has had many universities, and every year the city celebrates the legendary Mardi Gras.

The storm surges formed by Hurricane Katrina caused overtopping of floodwalls and the 18-foot-high levees, while erosion of the soil beneath the levees from the flooding led to more failures and breaches. Surge levels were measured as high as 18 to 25 feet (Seed, Nicholson, Dalrymple, et al. 1-5). Approximately 75 percent of the city was flooded (Seed, Nicholson, Dalrymple, et al. iv). Subsequently, Katrina moved inland and its high winds cut a diagonal path across Mississippi causing damage to almost the entire state and parts of Alabama.

More than 1.2 million people were under orders to evacuate before the hurricane’s landfall near Buras-Triumph, Louisiana, at 6:10 A.M. CDT on Monday, August 29, 2005. By 11 A.M. that day the levees around New Orleans began to collapse. What unfolded was the worst-case scenario described in publications such as the 2002 Special Report series in the The Times-Picayune called “Washing Away,” and in an emergency hurricane

CASE STUDY 1: Hurricane Katrina

IS B

N 0-

55 8-

49 51

4- 1

206 Case Study 1 ■ Hurricane Katrina

drill that included local, state, and federal emergency personnel only a year before for a hypothetical hurricane named Pam (Federal Emergency Management Agency).

Not only did the water from the breaches rise to rooftops, it became a toxic nightmare stew of untreated sewage, decomposing human bodies, dead animals, and chemicals and oils. People who had not evacuated were left stuck on their house tops, trapped in their at- tics, or stranded in the Louisiana Superdome or the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, where the daily living conditions for thousands became horrific as supplies of food and water ran out, electricity and air conditioning failed, sanitary conditions deteriorated, and violence—or rumors of violence—ensued. Hospitals lost power and hospital staff took heroic measures to care for as many patients as they could. Many of the stranded were poor, African American, children, elderly, and the disabled. Some had not evacuated be- cause they had no transportation and not enough money to leave. Some had gone through numerous hurricanes without major problems and decided to try to ride this one out too, and some stranded tourists did not have any way to evacuate once the transportation sys- tem in the city became overwhelmed and buckled.

Eventually, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the U.S. Coast Guard, other branches of the military, various organizations, and hundreds of volunteers began rescue efforts. The American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and many volunteers began relief efforts. Within a couple of months of Katrina’s landfall, evacuees were residing in all 50 states; some vowed to return to New Orleans and rebuild, and some vowed never to re- turn. Ultimately, 1.5 million people were dislocated—the largest displacement of Ameri- cans because of a single incident since the 1927 flooding of the southern Mississippi River, which ultimately may have displaced as many as 700,000 (Von Drehle and Salmon). People had no homes, nowhere to work because businesses were lost, and nowhere to get funds because banks and government offices were closed. They had lost family, friends, commu- nity, and tradition (Mehren). Many people simply were left only with what they had on their backs.

Aside from the vast human suffering, the long-term economic impact to the region has been overwhelming. Tourism in the “Big Easy,” one of its lifebloods, has been irreparably damaged; oil production and distribution have been affected; transportation and regional infrastructure such as railroads require extensive repair.

Not only did Katrina spawn widespread disaster, it created serious controversies, par- ticularly over the delay in getting help to the people of New Orleans, the surrounding parishes, and all of the Gulf Coast affected by the storm. Michael D. Brown, the former director of the Federal Management Agency (FEMA) came under national scrutiny and resigned his post. Race and class became an issue. The 2000 U.S. census shows that the city of New Orleans was 67% black or African American and 28% white. In addition, the cen- sus indicated that 23.7% of families were below the poverty level (U.S. Census). Surveys after Katrina indicated the majority of African Americans believed race was the factor in the slow response by officials to the disaster, and whites believed that race was not a factor (Saad).

In addition to the question of racial bias in the delay about responding to the crisis, among the many other issues raised were these:

■ The responsibility of the military in national rescue efforts ■ The lack of coordination between local, state, and federal officials ■ The failure of communication systems—cell phone towers that fell, lack of satellite

phones, the lack of Internet service, etc. ■ The role—both positive and negative—of the New Orleans police in the event

IS B

N 0-558-49514-1

Activities and Assignments 207

■ How the new Department of Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA and has received billions in funding after 9-11, performed so inadequately

■ The susceptibility of the elderly and the disabled in large-scale evacuations ■ The vulnerability of the levees and how funding for shoring them up might have

been used in the past for other projects ■ How and why evacuation plans were not followed ■ What to do about the tremendous amount of damaged or destroyed homes ■ How to solve the hardship of families having to abandon pets because they were

not allowed to evacuate with them

When Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco’s office handed over documents in December 2005 to Congressional committees investigating the government’s failure in preparing for and responding to Hurricane Katrina, among the 100,000 pages of documents were emails, po- lice reports, weather reports, logs of calls to be rescued, public statements, and many other documents (Simpson).

Activities and Assignments

1. Individual or Group Activity: Case Study 1 focuses on some of the early key documents and images associated with the Katrina disaster as they relate to the principles and approaches described in Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 of Writing for the Government. For each of them here, consider these questions:

■ Who is the audience (or stakeholders)? ■ What might be the demographics of the audience? Their level of knowledge and

expertise? Their personal and professional needs for the document’s information? ■ Who wrote the document and/or what agency released it? Who might have con-

tributed to its writing, editing, design, and release? How does who is involved with the writing, editing, design, and distribution affect its presentation, commu- nication, and credibility?

■ What is the tone and style of the language of the document? Are they appropriate for the audience?

■ What is the cultural context—the historical, political, social, economic, technologi- cal, and ethical possibilities and constraints—surrounding the writing and distrib- ution of the document?

■ What are the characteristics of the genre for the document? ■ What kinds of ethical issues might have had to be dealt with in writing this

document? ■ What technological factors contributed to the distribution of the document?

After you compose answers to these questions, summarize your responses, and analyze whether you think the document or image’s message was effective or not. Not every question may be relevant, but if you think a document or image is effective, provide evi- dence from the document to support your points. If you think it is not effective, describe what you think would make it communicate better. You may need to do some research about the document and the hurricane before making your decision. Included with the ti- tle for each of the documents are other questions to consider and address and/or to focus on as well as the questions above. After you have written your responses, share them with your classmates.

IS B

N 0-

55 8-

49 51

4- 1

208 Case Study 1 ■ Hurricane Katrina

Document 1: “Hurricane Pam Exercise Concludes”

This document is a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) public relations piece released following an emergency preparedness exercise about a major hurricane hitting the New Orleans area. As you consider the previous questions, also consider these questions:

■ When was this document released? ■ Who was involved in this drill? ■ How realistic were the parameters of the exercise? ■ How is the document formatted to incorporate a lot of information?

(Please note that Col. Michael L. Brown, Deputy Director for Emergency Preparedness, Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, is someone different from Michael D. Brown, the former Director of Federal Emergency Management (FEMA).)

Find examples of other emergency drill documents, and compare them in terms of au- dience, purpose, cultural context, language, and format. Then write a report about what you find, and share it with your classmates.

Documents 2 and 3: “Governor Blanco Declares State of Emergency”

This document is a Proclamation. A Proclamation is a genre.

■ What is the format of this genre for the document? What are its characteristics? ■ Is it a useful genre? Why or why not?

Compare this document to “Governor Blanco asks President to Declare an Emergency for the State of Louisiana due to Hurricane Katrina.” This document is the text of the official request for help from Governor Blanco to President Bush. Both of these documents were made available on the governor’s website.

■ Why do you think these were posted on there? ■ What do you make of the opening sentences of them? ■ What about the specifics in them?

Research proclamations from officials on various levels of government—local, state, and federal. Compare them for format, audience, purpose, and cultural context. Share what you find with your classmates.

Create your own Proclamation for something or some event, possibly related to your class or campus. Compare yours with your classmates’ proclamations.

Document 4: “Memorandum to Michael Chertoff”

This memo from former FEMA Director, Michael D. Brown, to Michael Chertoff, the head of FEMA, created a great deal of controversy when it was released to the public.

■ Can you tell why? ■ What is the date of it, and what was happening at the time that could have sparked

such controversy? ■ What about the style and tone of it?

Compare it with the principles presented in Chapter 5 on writing memorandums. Write a research paper about what you find, and share it with your classmates.

Document 5: “Nagin tells Feds to Get off Their Asses”

This radio transcript is a different kind of document because it is an interview with Mayor Ray Nagin of New Orleans, which was taped in a New Orleans radio station, on Thursday

IS B

N 0-558-49514-1

Activities and Assignments 209

night, September 1, 2005, four days after the hurricane hit New Orleans. Because of the nat- ural disaster and electrical crisis in the city, many radio stations pooled together to broad- cast emergency information.

■ What do you think about Nagin’s language? ■ Considering the circumstances that New Orleans was in at the time, is Nagin’s

style and tone effective? ■ Why or why not?

Write a short report with your opinion about the situation, citing reasons for your opinion based on research and/or personal experience. Cite specific information and quote from the transcript in your report.

Document 6: “President Outlines Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts”

This document is an excerpt from the original on the White House webpage. Go online to view the full document. It is from the Office of the Press Secretary.

■ What strikes you about the presentation of information and the language in it? ■ How does it compare with President Bush’s weekly radio addresses, for instance? ■ What about the photo that accompanies the statement?

Discuss your ideas with a group of your classmates and share them with the entire class.

Document 7: Photos and emails

These are a series of photos of the Hurricane Katrina disaster in New Orleans and some email messages among FEMA employees to each other and to Michael Brown, then direc- tor of FEMA, during Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. The emails here, which are a few of the many that have been released, have created controversy in and of themselves. The photos and the emails are from a Senate committee investigation.

■ What do you make of the emails from Monty Bahamonde, who was one of the FEMA employees in New Orleans and who spent days and nights in the Louisiana Superdome?

■ What do you think about the language and tone of the exchanges? ■ What about some of the responses or lack thereof by Brown to concerns expressed

by employees?

Discuss your ideas with your classmates.

Document 8: Preliminary Report

This document is the cover, “Executive Summary,” is from a “Preliminary Report on the Performance of the New Orleans Levee System in Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005.”

■ Why is this document different from the previous ones? ■ How many authors does it have? Does that matter? Why or why not? ■ What about the language is different? ■ What is the purpose of this document?

Find this report online and compare it with the information in Chapter 6 on Policy Report Writing. Write up what you find, and share it with your classmates. 2. Individual or Group Activity: Many parts of the United States have the potential

for or experience natural disasters: tornados, wildfires, hot and cold weather–related deaths, floods, and earthquakes. Individual students or in groups can contact various

IS B

N 0-

55 8-

49 51

4- 1

210 Case Study 1 ■ Hurricane Katrina

emergency and first responders in your communities to find out what they do to assist citizens in disastrous situations. Write a research paper and make a presentation to your classmates about your findings.

3. Individual or Group Activity: Investigate documents and research the other contro- versial issues mentioned earlier in the bulleted list on page 210–213, analyze them in a similar manner, write what you find, and share it with your classmates.

Works Cited

Knabb, Richard D., Jamie R. Rhome and Daniel P. Brown. “Tropical Cyclone Report, Hurricane Katrina, 23–30 Aug. 2005.” National Hurricane Center. TCR-AL122005_Ka- trina.pdf. 6 Jan. 2006 <http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2005atlan.shtml?>.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). “Hurricane Pam Concludes.” News Release. 23 July 2004. Release Number: R6-04-093. 28 Sept. 2005 <http://www.fema. gov/news/newsrelease_print.fema?id=13051>.

Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals. “Hurricane Katina Deceased Reports. Reports of Missing and Deceased Aug. 2 2006.” 8 Jan. 2007 <http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/page.asp?ID=192&Detail=5248>.

Mehren, Elizabeth. “Study: Katrina Evacuees Having Trouble Coping.” From the Los Angeles Times Seattle Times Online 6 Jan. 2006. 6 Jan. 2006 <http://www.seattletimes.com>.

National Ocean and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA). National Hurricane Center. “Tropical Weather Summary.” 5 Jan. 2006 <http://nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2005/tws/ MIATWSAT_augshtml?>.

Pain, John. “Researchers Say Katrina was Weaker than Believed.” Associated Press. 21 Dec. 2005. AOL news. 21 Dec. 2005 <http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/>.

Seed, Raymond B., Peter G. Nicholson, Robert A. Dalrymple, et al. Preliminary Report on the Performance of the New Orleans Levee Systems in Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005 1.2 17 Nov. 2005. Report No. UCB/CITRIS-05/01. 11 Jan. 2007 <http://hsgac.senate.gov/_files/Katrina/Preliminary_Report.pdf>.

Saad, Lydia. “Blacks Blast Bush for Katrina Response.” The Gallup Poll. 14 Sept. 2005. 6 Jan. 2006 <http://galluppoll.com/content/default.aspx?ci=18526>.

Simpson, Doug. “Blanco’s Katrina Correspondence Reveals Extent of Chaos.” Associated Press. 4 Dec. 2005. AOL news. 4 Dec. 2005 <http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/Dec.2005>.

World Almanac and Book of Facts, The. “Some Notable Hurricanes, Typhoons, Blizzards, Other Storms.” Section: Disasters. Oclc FirstSearch database. 25 June 2007 <http://firstsearch.oclc.org>.

U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000. “Table DP-1. Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000.” Geographic area: New Orleans city, Louisiana. 6 June 2006 <http://www.census.gov/>.

U.S. Senate. Hurricane Katrina: A Nation Still Unprepared: Special Report of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. United States Senate together with Additional Views. 109th Cong. 2nd sess. Rept. 109–322. Washington: GPO, 2006. <http://hsgac.senate.gov/_files/Katrina/FullReport.pdf>.

Von Drehle, David and Jacqueline Salmon. “Displacement of Historic Proportions.” 02 Sept. 2005. 2 Sept. 2005 <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/ article/2005/09/01/AR2005090102406_pf.html>.

“Washing Away.” The Times-Picayune. 23-27 June 2002. 6 Jan. 2006 <http://www. nola.com/hurricane/?/washingaway/>.

IS B

N 0-558-49514-1

Hurricane Katrina 211

Hurricane Pam Exercise Concludes

Release Date: July 23, 2004 Release Number: R6-04-093

BATON ROUGE, La. -- Hurricane Pam brought sustained winds of 120 mph, up to 20 inches of rain in parts of southeast Louisiana and storm surge that topped levees in the New Orleans area. More than one million residents evacuated and Hurricane Pam destroyed 500,000-600,000 buildings. Emergency officials from 50 parish, state, federal and volunteer organizations faced this scenario during a five-day exercise held this week at the State Emergency Operations Center in Baton Rouge.

The exercise used realistic weather and damage information developed by the National Weather Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the LSU Hurricane Center and other state and federal agencies to help officials develop joint response plans for a catastrophic hurricane in Louisiana.

"We made great progress this week in our preparedness efforts," said Ron Castleman, FEMA Regional Director. "Disaster response teams developed action plans in critical areas such as search and rescue, medical care, sheltering, temporary housing, school restoration and debris management. These plans are essential for quick response to a hurricane but will also help in other emergencies."

"Hurricane planning in Louisiana will continue," said Colonel Michael L. Brown, Deputy Director for Emergency Preparedness, Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. "Over the next 60 days, we will polish the action plans developed during the Hurricane Pam exercise. We have also determined where to focus our efforts in the future."

A partial summary of action plans follows:

Debris

● The debris team estimates that a storm like Hurricane Pam would result in 30 million cubic yards of debris and 237,000 cubic yards of household hazardous waste

● The team identified existing landfills that have available storage space and locations of hazardous waste disposal sites. The debris plan also outlines priorities for debris removal.

Sheltering

● The interagency shelter group identified the need for about 1,000 shelters for a catastrophic disaster. The shelter team identified 784 shelters and has developed plans for locating the remaining shelters.

● In a storm like Hurricane Pam, shelters will likely remain open for 100 days. The group identified the resources necessary to support 1000 shelters for 100 days. They planned for staff augmentation and how to include shelterees in shelter management.

Source: FEMA http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease_print.fema?id=13051

IS B

N 0-

55 8-

49 51

4- 1

212 Case Study 1 ■ Hurricane Katrina

● State resources are adequate to operate shelters for the first 3-5 days. The group planned how federal and other resources will replenish supplies at shelters.

Search and Rescue

● The search and rescue group developed a transportation plan for getting stranded residents out of harm's way.

● Planners identified lead and support agencies for search and rescue and established a command structure that will include four areas with up to 800 searchers.

Medical

● The medical care group reviewed and enhanced existing plans. The group determined how to implement existing immunization plans rapidly for tetanus, influenza and other diseases likely to be present after a major hurricane.

● The group determined how to re-supply hospitals around the state that would face heavy patient loads.

● The medical action plan includes patient movement details and identifies probable locations, such as state university campuses, where individuals would receive care and then be transported to hospitals, special needs shelters or regular shelters as necessary.

Schools

● The school group determined that 13,000-15,000 teachers and administrators would be needed to support affected schools. The group acknowledged the role of local school boards and developed strategies for use by local school officials.

● Staffing strategies include the use of displaced teachers, retired teachers, emergency certified teachers and others eligible for emergency certification. Displaced paraprofessionals would also be recruited to fill essential school positions.

● The group discussed facility options for increasing student population at undamaged schools and prioritizing repairs to buildings with less damage to assist in normalizing operations

● The school plan also calls for placement or development of temporary schools near temporary housing communities built for hurricane victims.

The Hurricane Pam scenario focused on 13 parishes in southeast Louisiana-Ascension, Assumption, Jefferson, Lafourche, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John, St. Tammany Tangipahoa, Terrebonne. Representatives from outside the primary parishes participated since hurricane evacuation and sheltering involve communities throughout the state and into Arkansas, Mississippi and Texas.

On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.

Last Updated: Friday, 23-Jul-2004 15:05:38

IS B

N 0-558-49514-1

Hurricane Katrina 213

Source: http://www.gov.state.la.us/assets/docs/3307Exec%20Proc%2020thAmend%202005- Emergency-Hurricane%20katrina.pdf

IS B

N 0-

55 8-

49 51

4- 1

214 Case Study 1 ■ Hurricane Katrina

PRINT << BACK

Aug 27, 2005

Governor Blanco asks President to Declare an Emergency for the State of Louisiana due to Hurricane Katrina BATON ROUGE-Today Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco forwarded a letter to President Bush requesting that he declare an emergency for the State of Louisiana due to Hurricane Katrina. The full text of the letter follows: August 27, 2005 The President The White House Washington, D. C. Through: Regional Director FEMA Region VI 800 North Loop 288 Denton, Texas 76209 Dear Mr. President: Under the provisions of Section 501 (a) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. ïï 512 1- 5206 (Stafford Act), and implemented by 44 CFR ï 206.35, I request that you declare an emergency for the State of Louisiana due to Hurricane Katrina for the time period beginning August 26, 2005, and continuing. The affected areas are all the southeastern parishes including the New Orleans Metropolitan area and the mid state Interstate I-49 corridor and northern parishes along the I-20 corridor that are accepting the thousands of citizens evacuating from the areas expecting to be flooded as a result of Hurricane Katrina. In response to the situation I have taken appropriate action under State law and directed the execution of the State Emergency Plan on August 26, 2005 in accordance with Section 501 (a) of the Stafford Act. A State of Emergency has been issued for the State in order to support the evacuations of the coastal areas in accordance with our State Evacuation Plan and the remainder of the state to support the State Special Needs and Sheltering Plan. Pursuant to 44 CFR ï 206.35, I have determined that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and affected local governments, and that supplementary Federal assistance is necessary to save lives, protect property, public health, and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a disaster. I am specifically requesting emerge ncy protective measures, direct Federal Assistance, Individual and Household Program (IHP) assistance, Special Needs Program assistance, and debris removal. Preliminary estimates of the types and amount of emergency assistance needed under the Stafford Act, and emergency assistance from certain Federal agencies under other statutory authorities are tabulated in Enclosure A. The following information is furnished on the nature and amount of State and local resources that have been or will be used to alleviate the conditions of this emergency: ï Department of Social Services (DSS): Opening (3) Special Need Shelters (SNS) and establishing (3) on Standby. ï Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH): Opening (3) Shelters and establishing (3) on Standby. ï Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (OHSEP): Providing generators and support staff for SNS and Public Shelters. ï Louisiana State Police (LSP): Providing support for the phased evacuation of the coastal areas. ï Louisiana Departme nt of Wildlife and Fisheries (WLF): Supporting the evacuation of the affected population and preparing for Search and Rescue Missions. Mr. President Page Two August 27, 2005 ï Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD): Coordinating traffic flow and management of the evacuations routes with local officials and the State of Mississippi. The following information is furnished on efforts and resources of other Federal agencies, which have been or will be used in responding to this incident: ï FEMA ERT-A Team en-route. I certify that for this emergency, the State and local governments will assume all applicable non-Federal share of costs required by the Stafford Act. I request Direct Federal assistance for work and services to save lives and protect property.

Hurricane Katrina 214

Source: Office of Governor Kathleen Blanco http://www.gov.state.la.us/index.cfm?md= newsroom&tmp=detail&catID=1&articleID=778

IS B

N 0-558-49514-1

Hurricane Katrina 215

(a) List any reasons State and local government cannot perform or contract for performance, (if applicable). (b) Specify the type of assistance requested. In accordance with 44 CFR ï 206.208, the State of Louisiana agrees that it will, with respect to Direct Federal assistance: 1. Provide without cost to the United States all lands, easement, and rights-of-ways necessary to accomplish the approved work. 2. Hold and save the United States free from damages due to the requested work, and shall indemnify the Federal Government against any claims arising from such work; 3. Provide reimbursement to FEMA for the non-Federal share of the cost of such work in accordance with the provisions of the FEMA- State Agreement; and 4. Assist the performing Federal agency in all support and local jurisdictional matters. In addition, I anticipate the need for debris removal, which poses an immediate threat to lives, public health, and safety. Pursuant to Sections 502 and 407 of the Stafford Act, 42 U.S.C. ïï 5192 & 5173, the State agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the United States of America for any claims arising from the removal of debris or wreckage for this disaster. The State agrees that debris removal from public and private property will not occur until the landowner signs an unconditional authorization for the removal of debris. I have designated Mr. Art Jones as the State Coordinating Officer for this request. He will work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency in damage assessments and may provide further information or justification on my behalf. Sincerely, Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Governor Enclosure ENCLOSURE A TO EMERGENCY REQUEST Estimated requirements for other Federal agency programs: ï Department of Social Services (DSS): Opening (3) Special Need Shelters (SNS) and establishing (3) on Standby. Costs estimated at $500,000 per week for each in operation. ï Department of Heal th and Hospitals (DHH): Opening (3) Shelters and establishing (3) on Standby. Costs estimated at $500,000 per week for each in operation. ï Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (OHSEP): Providing generators and support staff for SNS and Public Shelters. Costs estimated to range from $250,000-$500,000 to support (6) Shelter generator operations. ï Louisiana State Police (LSP): Costs to support evacuations - $300,000 for a non-direct landfall. ï Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (WLF): Costs to support evacuations - $200,000 for a non-direct landfall. ï Louisiana Department of Transportation and Developme nt (DOTD): Costs to support evacuations - $2,000,000 for a non-direct landfall. Totals: $ 9,000,000 Estimated Requirements for assistance under the Stafford Act: Coordination: $0 Technical and advisory assistance: $0 Debris removal: $0 Emergency protective measures: $ 9,000,000 Individuals and Households Program (IHP): $0 Distribution of emergency supplies: $0 Other (specify): $0 Totals: $ 9,000,000 Grand Total: $ 9,000,000

The Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation (LDRF), Louisiana's fund for Louisiana's people, has been established by Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco in order to support long-term family restoration and recovery and help provide assistance to our citizens in need through a network of Louisiana charities and non-profit agencies.

1-877-HELPLA1 (877-435-7521) www.louisianahelp.org

IS B

N 0-

55 8-

49 51

4- 1

216 Case Study 1 ■ Hurricane Katrina

IS B

N 0-558-49514-1

Hurricane Katrina 217

IS B

N 0-

55 8-

49 51

4- 1

218 Case Study 1 ■ Hurricane Katrina

IS B

N 0-558-49514-1

Hurricane Katrina 219

Nagin transcript

The following is a transcript of part of an interview done over WWL-AM Radio by Garland

Robinette with New Orleansí Mayor Ray Nagin on the evening of Thursday, Sept. 1, 2005, four days

after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the city and the Gulf Coast. During that time, WWL was one of the

only radio stations in the area remaining on the air, and its emergency coverage, which was

simulcast on numerous other local radio stations, was called, "The United Radio Broadcasters of

New Orleans." The United Radio Broadcasters are a partnership between Entercom and Clear

Channel Communications.

[announcer cues up second half of interview with Nagin]

NAGIN: ...and to give me executive powers to authorize me to dictate and to manage military resources down here and I'll fix this for ya. You call him right now and you call the governor, and you tell him to delegate the power that they have to the mayor of New Orleans and we'll get this damn thing fixed. (pause) It's politics man, and they're playing games and they're spinning. They're out there spinning for the cameras.

WWL: But, but..

NAGIN: And..

WWL: But, can't they, can't they just if nothing else look at 25% of their energy coming from the state is not flowing through the pipelines? We're on the verge of anarchy? Can't they understand that there, if nothing else they're going to be hurt politically?

NAGIN: I don't know what they're doing. I mean the air conditioning must be good, because I haven't had any in five days. Uh, and maybe, so maybe there's some, some smoke coming out from the air conditioning units that's clogging some folks, uh, you know, their vision.

WWL: Have you talked with the president?

NAGIN: I've talked directly with the president.

WWL: What is he saying?

NAGIN: I've talked with the head of homeland security. I've talked to everybody under the sun. I've been out there man, I've flew these helicopters, been in the crowds talking to people crying don't know where their, where their relatives are. I've done it all, man, and I'll tell you, man, Garland, I keep hearing that it's comin. This is coming, that is coming, and my answer to that, today, is: B.S. Where is the beef?

WWL: What?

NAGIN: Because there is no beef in this city. There is no beef anywhere in Southeast Louisiana and these goddamn ships that are coming, I don't see them.

WWL: What did you say to the president of the United States and what did he say to you?

NAGIN: I basically told him we had an incredible, uh, crisis here and that his flying over in Air Force One does not do it justice. And that I have been all around this city, and I am very frustrated because we are not able to marshal resources and we're outmanned in just about every respect. You know the reason why the looters got out of control? Because we had most of our resources saving people, thousands of people, for, that were stuck in attics, man, old ladies... when you pull off the doggone ventilator vent and you look down there and they're standing in there in water up to their fricking neck.

And they don't have a clue what's going on down here. They flew down here one time, two days after the doggone event was over with TV cameras, AP reporters, all kind of goddamn -- excuse my French everybody in America, but I am pissed.

WWL: Did you say, did you say to the president of the United States, "I need the military in here"?

NAGIN: I said, "I need everything." Now, I will tell you this -- and I give the president, uh, some credit on this -- he sent one John Wayne dude down here that can get some stuff done, and his name is Gen. Honore. And he came off the doggone chopper, and he start cussing and people start moving. And he's gettin some stuff done. They ought to give that guy -- if they don't want to give it to me--give him full authority to get the job done, and we can save some people.

WWL: What do you need, right now, to get control of this situation?

NAGIN: I need reinforcements, I need troops, man. I need 500 buses, man. We ain't talking about -- you know, one of the briefings we had, they were talking about getting, uh, you know, public school bus drivers to come down here and bus

Source: Excerpt from Nagin Interview by Garland Robinette. Source: Broadcast over WWL-AM Radio. 1 Sept. 2005. Transcript by Jennifer R. Johnson. January 2006.

IS B

N 0-

55 8-

49 51

4- 1

220 Case Study 1 ■ Hurricane Katrina

Nagin transcript

people out here. I'm like, "You got to be kidding me. This is a national disaster. Get every doggone Greyhound bus line in the country and get their asses moving to New Orleans." That's -- they're thinking small, man. And this is a major, major, major deal. [pause] And I can't emphasize it enough, man. This is crazy. I've got 15 to 20 thousand people over at the convention center. It's bursting at the seams. The poor people in Plaquemines Parish, theyíre, theyíre air-vaccing people over here in New Orleans. We don't have anything, and we're sharing with our brothers in Plaquemines Parish. It's awful down here, man.

WWL: Do you believe that the president is seeing this, holding a news conference on it but can't do anything until Kathleen Blanco requested him to do it? And do you know whether or not she has made that request?

NAGIN: I have no idea what they're doing. But I will tell you this: You know, God is looking down on all this, and if they are not doing everything in their power to save people, they are going to pay the price; because every day that we delay, people are dying. And they're dying by the hundreds; I'm willing to bet you. They're, we're getting reports and calls that is breaking my heart, from people saying, "I've been in my attic. I can't take it anymore. The water is up to my neck. I don't think I can hold out." And that's happening as we speak. And, you know what really upsets me, Garland? We told everybody the importance of the 17th Street Canal issue. We said, "Please, please take care of this. We don't care what you do. Figure it out."

WWL: Who'd you say that to?

NAGIN: Everybody: the governor, you know, Homeland Security, FEMA. You name it, we said it. And, you know, they allowed that pumping station next to it, Pumping Station 6 to, to go under water. Our sewage and water board people, Marcel St. Martin stayed there and endangered their lives. And what happened when that pumping station went down, the water started flowing again in the city, and it starting getting to levels that probably killed more people. In addition to that, we had water, uh, flowing through the pipes in the city. That's a power station over there. So there's no water flowing anywhere on the east bank of Orleans Parish. So our critical water supply was destroyed because of lack of action.

WWL: Why couldn't they drop the 3,000-pound sandbags or the containers that they were talking about earlier? Was it an engineering feat that just couldn't be done?

NAGIN: It, it, they said it was some pulleys that they had to manufacture. But, you know, in a state of emergency, man, you you are creative, you figure out ways to get stuff done. Then they told me that they went overnight, and they built seventeen, seventeen concrete structures and they had the pulleys on them and they were going to drop them. I flew over that thing yesterday, and it's in the same shape that it was after the storm hit. There is nothing happening. And they're feeding the public a line of bull and they're spinnin, and people are dying down here.

WWL: If some of the public called and they're right, that there's a law that the president, that the federal government can't do anything without local or state requests, would you request martial law?

NAGIN: I've already called for martial law in the city of New Orleans. We did that a few days ago.

WWL: Did the governor do that, too?

NAGIN: I don't know. I don't think so. But we called for martial law when we realized that the looting was getting out of control. And we redirected all of our police officers back to patrolling the streets. They were dirt dead-tired from saving people, but they worked all night because we thought this thing was going to blow wide open last night. And so we redirected all of our resources, and we hold it under check. I'm not sure if we can do that another night with the current resources. And I am telling you right now: They're showing all these reports of people looting and doing all that weird stuff, and they are doing that, but people are desperate. And they're trying to find food and water, the majority of them. Now you got some knuckleheads out there, and they are taking advantage of this lawless -- this situation where, you know, we can't really control it, and they're doing some awful, awful things. But that's a small majority of the people. Most people are looking to try and survive. And you've got, and one of the things people have -- nobody's talked about this. Drugs flowed in and out of New Orleans and the surrounding metropolitan area so freely it was scary to me, and that's why we were having escalation in murders. People don't want to talk about this, but I'm going to talk about it. You have drug addicts that are now walking around this city looking for a fix. And that's the reason why they were breaking in hospitals and drugstores. They're looking for something to take the edge off of their jones', if you will. And right now, they don't have anything to take the edge off. And they've found, theyíve probably found guns. So what you're seeing is drug-starving crazy addicts: drug addicts that are wrecking havoc. And we don't have the manpower to adequately deal with it. We can only target certain sections of the city and form a perimeter around them and hope to God that we're not overrun.

WWL: Well, you and I must be in the minority. Because apparently there's a section of our citizenry out there that thinks because of a law that says the federal government can't come in unless requested by the proper people, that everything that's going on to this point has been done as good as it can possibly be.

NAGIN: Really?

WWL: I know you don't feel that way.

IS B

N 0-558-49514-1

Hurricane Katrina 221

Nagin transcript

NAGIN: Well, did the tsunami victims request? Did it go through a formal process to request? Uh, you know, did the Iraqi people request that we go in there?

WWL: They..

NAGIN: Did they ask us to go in there? What is more important? This is ...and I'll tell you, man, I'm probably going get in a whole bunch of trouble. I'm probably going to get in so much trouble it ain't even funny. You probably won't even want to deal with me after this interview is over.

WWL: You and I will be in the funny place together.

NAGIN: But we authorized $8 billion to go to Iraq: lickety quick. After 9/11, we gave the president unprecedented powers lickety quick to take care of New York and other places. Now, you mean to tell me that a place where most of your oil is coming through, a place that is so unique when you mention New Orleans anywhere around the world, everybody's eyes light up -- you mean to tell me that a place where you probably have thousands of people that have died and thousands more that are dying every day, that we can't figure out a way to authorize the resources that we need? Come on, man. You know, I'm not one of those drug addicts. I am thinking very clearly. And I don't know whose problem it is. I don't know whether it's the governor's problem. I don't know whether it's the president problem, but somebody needs to get their ass on a plane and sit down, the two of them, and figure this out right now. [pause]

WWL: What can we do here?

NAGIN: Keep talking about it.

WWL: We'll do that. What else can we do?

NAGIN: Organize people to write letters and make calls to their congressmen,

WWL: E-mails

NAGIN: To the president, to the governor. Flood their doggone offices with requests to do something. This is ridiculous.

WWL: You know

NAGIN: I don't want to see anybody do anymore goddamn press conferences. Put a moratorium on press conferences.

WWL: Who do I

NAGIN: Don't do another press conference until the resources are in this city. And then come down to this city and stand with us when there are military trucks and troops that we can't even count. Don't tell me 40,000 people are coming here. They not here. [pause] It's too doggone late. Now get off your asses and let's do something, and let's fix the biggest goddamn crisis in the history of this country.

WWL: I'll say it right now, you're the only politician that's called and called for arms like this. And if -- whatever it takes, the governor, president -- whatever law precedent it takes, whatever it takes, I bet that the people listening to you are on your side.

NAGIN: Well, I hope so, Garland. I am just -- I'm at the point now where it don't matter. People are dying. They don't have homes. They don't have jobs. The city of New Orleans will never be the same [ 2 second pause] in this time.

[ 15 second pause] sounds of breathing, hitching catching breath.

WWL: [in wavering voice, sounds of sobbing in background] We're both pretty speechless here.

NAGIN: [sob] Yeah, I don't know what to say. I got to go.

WWL: [wavering] OK. Keep in touch. Keep in touch.

(Transcript by Jennifer R. Johnson. January 2006)

IS B

N 0-

55 8-

49 51

4- 1

222 Case Study 1 ■ Hurricane Katrina

For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary

September 15, 2005

President Discusses Hurricane Relief in Address to the Nation Jackson Square New Orleans, Louisiana

8:02 P. M. CDT

THE PRESIDENT: Good even ing. I'm speaking to you from the city of New Orleans -- nearly empty, still partly under water, and waiting for life and hope to return. Eastward from Lake Pontchartrain, across the Mississippi coast, to Alabama into Florida, millions of lives were changed in a day by a cruel and wasteful storm.

In the aftermath, we have seen fellow citizens left stunned and uprooted, searching for loved ones, and grieving for the dead, and looking for meaning in a tragedy that seems so blind and random. We've also witnessed the kind of desperation no citizen of this great and generous nation should ever have to know -- fellow Americans calling out for food and water, vulnerable people left at the mercy of criminals who had no mercy, and the bodies of the dead lying uncovered and untended in the street.

These days of sorrow and outrage have also been marked by acts of courage and kindness that make all Americans proud. Coast Guard and other personnel rescued tens of thousands of people from flooded neighborhoods. Religious congregations and families have welcomed strangers as brothers and sisters and neighbors. In the community of Chalmette, when two men tried to break into a home, the owner invited them to stay -- and took in 15 other people who had no place to go. At Tu lane Hospital for Children, doctors and nurses did not eat for days so patients could have food, and eventually carried the patients on their backs up eight flights of stairs to helicopters. . . .

The work of rescue is largely finished; the work of recovery is moving forward. In nearly all of Mississippi, electric power has been restored. Trade is starting to return to the Port of New Orleans, and agricultural shipments are moving down the Mississippi River. All major gasoline pipelines are now in operation, preventing the supply disruptions that many feared. The breaks in the levees have been closed, the pumps are running, and the water here in New Orleans is receding by the hour. Environmental officials are on the ground, taking water samples, identifying and dealing with hazardous debris, and working to get drinking water and waste water treatment systems operating again. And some very sad duties are being carried out by professionals who gather the dead, treat them with respect, and prepare them for their rest.

Source: The White House http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/09/20050915-8.html

IS B

N 0-558-49514-1

Hurricane Katrina 223

The Department of Homeland Security is registering evacuees who are now in shelters and churches, or private homes, whether in the Gulf region or far away. I have signed an order providing immediate assistance to people from the disaster area. As of today, more than 500,000 evacuee families have gotten emergency help to pay for food, clothing, and other essentials. Evacuees who have not yet registered should contact FEMA or the Red Cross. We need to know who you are, because many of you will be eligible for broader assistance in the future. Many families were separated during the evacuation, and we are working to help you reunite. Please call this number: 1-877-568-3317 -- that's 1-877-568-3317 -- and we will work to bring your family back together, and pay for your travel to reach them.

In addition, we're taking steps to ensure that evacuees do not have to travel great distances or navigate bureaucracies to get the benefits that are there for them. The Department of Health and Human Services has sent more than 1,500 health professionals, along with over 50 tons of medical supplies -- including vaccines and antibiotics and medicines for people with chronic conditions such as diabetes. The Social Security Administration is delivering checks. The Department of Labor is helping displaced persons apply for temporary jobs and unemployment benefits. And the Postal Service is registering new addresses so that people can get their mail.

To carry out the first stages of the relief effort and begin rebuilding at once, I have asked for, and the Congress has provided, more than $60 billion. This is an unprecedented response to an unprecedented crisis, which demonstrates the compassion and resolve of our nation.

Our second commitment is to help the citizens of the Gulf Coast to overcome this disaster, put their lives back together, and rebuild their communities . . .

Our third commitment is this: When communities are rebuilt, they must be even better and stronger than before the storm. Within the Gulf region are some of the most beautiful and historic places in America. As all of us saw on television, there's also some deep, persistent poverty in this region, as well. That poverty has roots in a history of racial discrimination, which cut off generations from the opportunity of America. We have a duty to confront this poverty with bold action. So let us restore all that we have cherished from yesterday, and let us rise above the legacy of inequality. When the streets are rebuilt, there should be many new businesses, including minority-owned businesses, along those streets. When the houses are rebuilt, more families should own, not rent, those houses. When the regional economy revives, local people should be prepared for the jobs being created.

Americans want the Gulf Coast not just to survive, but to thrive; not just to cope, but to overcome. We want evacuees to come home, for the best of reasons -- because they have a real chance at a better life in a place they love. . . .

In the long run, the New Orleans area has a particular challenge, because much of the city lies below sea level. The people who call it home need to have reassurance that their lives will be safer in the years to come. Protecting a city that sits lower than the water around it is not easy, but it can, and has been done. City and parish officials in New Orleans, and state officials in Louisiana will have a large part in the engineering decisions to come. And the Army Corps of Engineers will work at their side to make the flood protection system stronger than it has ever been.

. . .

The cash needed to support the armies of compassion is great, and Americans have given generously. For example, the private fundraising effort led by former Presidents Bush and Clinton has already received pledges of more than $100 million. Some of that money is going to the Governors to be used for immediate needs within their states. A portion will also be sent to local houses of worship to help reimburse them for the expense of helping others. This evening the need is still urgent, and I ask the American people to continue donating to the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, other good charities, and religious congregations in the region. . . .

IS B

N 0-

55 8-

49 51

4- 1

224 Case Study 1 ■ Hurricane Katrina

Four years after the frightening experience of September the 11th, Americans have every right to expect a more effective response in a time of emergency. When the federal government fails to meet such an obligation, I, as President, am responsible for the problem, and for the solution. So I've ordered every Cabinet Secretary to participate in a comprehensive review of the government response to the hurricane. This government will learn the lessons of Hurricane Katrina. We're going to review every action and make necessary changes, so that we are better prepared for any challenge of nature, or act of evil men, that could threaten our people. . . . In this place, there's a custom for the funerals of jazz musicians. The funeral procession parades slowly through the streets, followed by a band playing a mournful dirge as it moves to the cemetery. Once the casket has been laid in place, the band breaks into a joyful "second line" -- symbolizing the triumph of the spirit over death. Tonig ht the Gulf Coast is still coming through the dirge -- yet we will live to see the second line.

Thank you, and may God bless America.

END 8:28 P. M. CDT

IS B

N 0-558-49514-1

Hurricane Katrina 225

New Orleans residents and tourists line up at the Superdome, established as refuge of last resort. Source: FEMA photo From: Hurricane Katrina: A Nation Still Unprepared http://hsgac. senate.gov/_files/Katrina/FullReport.pdf

IS B

N 0-

55 8-

49 51

4- 1

226 Case Study 1 ■ Hurricane Katrina

Abandoned cars sit in the flooded downtown area, near S. Robertson street. Source: U.S. Senate Hurricane Katrina Exhibits http://hsgac.senate.gov/_files/ 102005HrgExhibits.pdf

IS B

N 0-558-49514-1

Hurricane Katrina 227

Man rescued after Hurricane Katrina flooding by a Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries team. Source: FEMA photo From: Hurricane Katrina: A Nation Still Unprepared http://hsgac. senate.gov/_files/Katrina/FullReport.pdf

IS B

N 0-

55 8-

49 51

4- 1

228 Case Study 1 ■ Hurricane Katrina

From: Sent: To: Subject: Re:

S e n t f r o m m y B l a c k b e r r y W i r e l e s s H a n d h e l d

Bahamonde, Marty

Bahamonde, Marty Sunday, August 26, 2005 4:40 PM ‘[email protected]’

There are currently 2000 inside the dome with about 300 special needs.National guard Is setting up cots. Oklahoma-1DMAT is around midnight to supply medical needs. Medical staff at the dome say they expect to run out of oxygen in about two hours and are looking for alternatives. There are still lines outside the dome waiting to get in.

CG has confirmed they will pick me up at the superdome at first Tuesday morning weather permitting expected at get light

Contact: 202-041-1750 617-212-5149

Source: U.S. Senate Hurricane Katrina Exhibits http://hsgac.senate.gov/_files/102005HrgExhibits.pdf

Evacuees fill Superdome. Source: FEMA photo From: Hurricane Katrina: A Nation Still Unprepared http://hsgac.senate.gov/_files/Katrina/FullReport.pdf

IS B

N 0-558-49514-1

Hurricane Katrina 229

From: Bahamonde, Marty; Sent: Sunday, August 28,2005 9:20 PM To: '[email protected]' Subject: Fw: Potential hot issue

I thought you would like this

Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld

-----Original Message---- From: Rule, Natalie <[email protected]> To: Passey, David <David. Passeyf)fema.qov> CC: Bahamonde, Marty <Marty. 8ahamonde() fema.gov> Sent: Sun Aug 28 21:58: 18 2005 Subject: RE: Potential hot issue

It feels a little like I am living in the middle of a horror movie...hope you are doing okay. Please let us know how we can support. I am going to my house, but will be up on computer again as soon as I get there.

From: Passey, David Sent: Sunday, August 28. 2005 9: 58 PM TO: Rule, Natalie Cc: Bahamonde, Marty Subject: RE: Potential hot issue

Our intel is that neither the OK-l DMAT nor the public health officers staged in Memphis will make it to the Superdome tonight. Oxygen supply issue has not been solved yet either.

From: Rule, Natalie Sent: Sunday, August 28. 2005 B: 55 PM To: Passey, David Cc: Bahamonde, Marty Subject: RE: Potential hot issue

Thanks Dave...and I believe marty is aware of this and that is why the Oklahoma DMAT team was supposed to immediately deploy there. . though not sure if they are going to make it .. but talked to front office and was told that '"was the"solution.

Bahamonde, Marty

Source: U.S. Senate Hurricane Katrina Exhibits http://hsgac.senate.gov/_files/102005HrgExhibits.pdf

IS B

N 0-

55 8-

49 51

4- 1

230 Case Study 1 ■ Hurricane Katrina

From WWL lV

" A LEVEE BREACH OCCURRED ALONG THE INDUSTRIAL CANAL AT TENNESSEE STREET. 3 TO 8 FEET OF WATER IS EXPECI'ED DUE TO THE BREACH....LOCATIONS IN THE WARNING INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMlTED TO ARABI AND 9TH WARD OF NEW ORLEANS.

Matthew Green FEMA Hurricane Liaison Team Coordinator National Hurricane Center 11691 SW 17th Street Miami. Florida, 33165-2149 USA

From: Buikema, Edward Sent: Monday, August 29, 2005 9:40 AM To: Green, Matthew Cc: Lowder, Michael Subject: Information

Matthew.

Please copy me on the spot report emails you send to Mike Lowder. That information is very helpful.

Thanks. Ed

From: Lowder, Michael Sent: Monday, August 29,20059:53 AM To: Brown, Michael D; Lokey, WlUIam; Jones, Gary; Robinson, Tony; Heath, Michael; Rhode, Patrick; EST-ESF03-A; EST-ESFO3-8; EST-ESFO3C Subject: FW: Information Importance: High

FYI ML From: Green, Matthew Sent: Monday, August 29, 2005 9:50 AM To: BuIkema, Edward Cc: Lowder, Michael Subject: RE: Information

Source: U.S. Senate Hurricane Katrina Exhibits http://hsgac.senate.gov/_files/102005HrgExhibits.pdf

IS B

N 0-558-49514-1

Hurricane Katrina 231

Original Message From:Brown, Michael D <[email protected]> To:'[email protected] <[email protected]> ‘[email protected]> Sent:Monday. August 29. 200512:09 PM Subject: Re: Information

I'm being told here water over not a breach

-----Original Message---- From: Lowder, Michael <[email protected]> To: '[email protected]’ <[email protected]> Sent: Mon Aug 29 11:57:35 2005 Subject: Fw: Information Not sure if you have this..

-----Original Message---- From: Heath, Michael <[email protected]> To: Lowder, Michael <[email protected]> Sent: Mon Aug 29 11:51:18 2005 Subject: Re: Information FYI. . . From Marty. He has been trying to reach Lokey.

New Orleans FD is reporting a 20 foot wide breech on the lake ponchatrain side levy. The area is lakeshore Blvd and 17th street. ------------------------- Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld

Source: U.S. Senate Hurricane Katrina Exhibits http://hsgac.senate.gov/_files/102005HrgExhibits.pdf

IS B

N 0-

55 8-

49 51

4- 1

232 Case Study 1 ■ Hurricane Katrina

Taylor,Cindy

From: Taylor, Cindy Sent: Monday, August 29, 2005 2:19 PM To: 'Worthy. Sharon' Subject: FW: Updates from Marty and Beeman

Fmm: Taylor, Cindy Sent: Monday, August 29, 2005 1:38 PM To: Rule, Natalie; Widomski, Michael; Andrews, Nicole D.Public Affairs Cc: Passey, David; Hudak.Mary Subject: Updates from Marty and Beeman

From Marly (New Orleans): • 17th Avenue Canal levee (running along border of Orleans and Jefferson Parishes broke through with waterflow" bad" into New Orleans side • City will have feeding l sheltering issues with population at superdome (est.12K) • Northside of city under est.11' water in residential area • Estimate of 30,000 tourists in city holed up in hotel rooms • Chanty Hospital all windows out; flooded, no power: have not been able to reach other 27 hospitals for capabilities • Early estimate that power will be over a month to restore main hubs out of commission • Hoping to get out in next hour, with helicopter tour to follow

From Beeman (Gulfport): • Last broadcasting radio station was knocked off the air an hour ago • Significant flooding occuring not far from where he's located with reports of people climbing into attics to escape waist deep and higher waters • Been sitting desk forfour hours watching as the winds have torn apart the back of the building with pieces of the roof slamming into the posts that hold up the porch on his buildings. • Trees dropping all around and six fence from a small park to left have been sailing by like frizzbies • Power and water are both off

Source: U.S. Senate Hurricane Katrina Exhibits http://hsgac.senate.gov/_files/102005HrgExhibits.pdf

IS B

N 0-558-49514-1

Hurricane Katrina 233

Eahamonde, Marty

From: Sent: To: Subject

‘[email protected]’:’[email protected]’

What is happening with the US travel this morning. When is he coming to New Orleans. The area the around superdome is filling up with water, now waist deep.The US can land and do a presser but then have to leave, there will be no ground tour, only flyover

Bahamonde, Marly Tuesday, August 30, 2005 7:02 AM

Re:Site search

Source: U.S. Senate Hurricane Katrina Exhibits http://hsgac.senate.gov/_files/102005HrgExhibits.pdf

From: Brown, Michael D

Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2005 12:24 PM

To: ‘[email protected]’

Subject: Re: New orleans

Thanks for update. Anything specific I need to do or tweak?

----------Original Message---------- From: Bahamonde, Marty <[email protected]> To: ‘[email protected]’ <[email protected]> Sent: Wed Aug 31 12:20:20 2005 Subject: New orleans

Sir, I know that you know the situation is past critical. Here some things you might not know. Hotels are kicking people out, thousands gathering in the streets with no food or water. Hundreds still being rescued from homes.

The dying patients at the DMAT tent being medivac. Estimates are many will die within hours. Evacuation in process. Plans developing for dome evacuation but hotel situation adding to problem. We are out of food and running out of water at the dome, plans in works to address the critical need.

FEMA staff is OK and holding own. DMAT staff working in deplorable conditions. The sooner we can get the medical patients out, the sooner wecan get them out.

Phone connectivity impossible

More later ------------------------------ Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld

Source: U.S. Senate Hurricane Katrina Exhibits http://hsgac.senate.gov/_files/102005HrgExhibits.pdf

IS B

N 0-

55 8-

49 51

4- 1

234 Case Study 1 ■ Hurricane Katrina

Let me preface by saying I know he needs down time, but how much time do each of you need for dinner, including travel time to the restaurants of your choice?

Original Message From: Worthy, Sharon [mail to: [email protected]] Sent: Wednesday. August 31,2005 2:00 PM To: ‘[email protected] Cc: ’natalie.rule.gov’; Andrews, Nicol D-Public Affairs; ‘[email protected] Subject: Scarborough

Please schedule Joe Scarborough this evening for period. with his producer and told him to call you. Mr.Brown wants to do this one. Also, it is very important that time is allowed for Mr. Brown to eat dinner. Given that Baton Rouge is back to normal, restaurants are getting busy. He needs much more that 20 or 30 minutes. We now have traffic to encounter to get to and from a location of his choice, followed by wait service from the restaurant staff, eating, etc.Thank you.

Sharon Worthy Press Secretary

From: Taylor, Cindy Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2005 2:27 PM To: Bahamonde, Marly; Widomski, Michael Subject: FW: Scarborough

Taylor, Cindy

Source: U.S. Senate Hurricane Katrina Exhibits http://hsgac.senate.gov/_files/102005HrgExhibits.pdf

IS B

N 0-558-49514-1

Hurricane Katrina 235

Taylor,Cindy

Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2005 2:44 PM To: Taylor, Cindy: Widomski, Michael Subject: Re: Scarborough

From: Bahamonde, Marty

OH MY GOD !!!!!!!! NO won't go any further, too easy of a target. Just tell her that I just ate an MRE and in the hallway of the Superdome along with 30,000 other close friends so I understand her concern about busy restaurants. Maybe tonight I will have to move the pebbles on the parking garage floor so they don't stab me the back while try to sleep, but instead I will hope her wait at Ruthisshort. But I know she is stressed so I make a big deal it and you shouldn't either.

Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld

Source: U.S. Senate Hurricane Katrina Exhibits http://hsgac.senate.gov/_files/102005HrgExhibits.pdf

Taylor,Cindy

From: Bahamonde, Marly Sent: Saturday, September 03, 2005 1:06 AM To: Taylor, Cindy Subject: Re: Airlift

The state told us we would run out of places, the army told us they had run out of places. The leadership from top down in our agency is unprepared and out of much. When told that superdome had been evacuated and would be locked, Scott Wells said we shouldn't lock it because people might still need it in an emergency. Myself and the general who had been there spoke up and told Scott that impossible to send any one back in there....is that not out of touch.But I am horrified at some of the cluelessness and self concern that persists, I try to focus on those that have put their lives on hold to help people that they have never met and never will. And while I sometimes think that can't work in this arena, I can’t get out of my head the visions of children and babies I saw sitting there, helpless, looking at me and hoping I could make a difference and so I will and you must to. IC is not what we do that is as important as who we are and that's what Chose little kids faces were- counting on.

Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld

Source: U.S. Senate Hurricane Katrina Exhibits http://hsgac.senate.gov/_files/102005HrgExhibits.pdf

IS B

N 0-

55 8-

49 51

4- 1

236 Case Study 1 ■ Hurricane Katrina

From: Brown, Michael D Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2005 11 :22 AM To: Altshuler, Brooks; Lowder, Michael Subject: FW: Medical Help

Can we use these people?

From: carolyn Sent: Friday, September 02, 2005 5:57 PM To: Michael D Brown; MichaeI D Brown Subject: MedicaI Help

Mike,

Mickey and other medical equipment people have a 42ft trailer full of beds, wheelchairs, oxygen concentrators,etc. They are wanting to take them where they can be used but need direction.Mickey specializes in ventilator patients so can be very helpful with acute care patients. If you could have someone contact him and let him know if he can be of service, he would appreciate it. Know you are busy but they really want to help. His number is

Carol

Source: U.S. Senate Hurricane Katrina Exhibits http://hsgac.senate.gov/_files/102005HrgExhibits.pdf

IS B

N 0-558-49514-1

Hurricane Katrina 237

Source: http://hsgac.senate.gov/_files/Katrina/Preliminary_Report.pdf

IS B

N 0-

55 8-

49 51

4- 1

238 Case Study 1 ■ Hurricane Katrina

IS B

N 0-558-49514-1

Hurricane Katrina 239

IS B

N 0-

55 8-

49 51

4- 1

boom:

title: Writing for the Government Case1
subtitle:
abstract:
text:

instructions: This is a Protected PDF document. Please enter your user name and password to unlock the text.

form:

username_label: User Name:
response:

username:
docid: 1000-0001-D3E4-00093827

pwd_label: Password:
neversend:

pwd:

unlocked:

rememberme: Yes
rememberme_label: Remember my user name and password.

help: If you are experiencing problems unlocking this document or you have questions regarding Protectedpdf files please contact a Technical Support representative: In the United States: 1-877-832-4867 In Canada: 1-800-859-3682 Outside the U.S. and Canada: 1-602-387-2222 Email: [email protected].
protectedpdf_version: 2012-4-13 (Version 2.6.0 Build 2.0.7.36)
version: 2012-06-07
logo:
info_publisher: This document is published by: Apollo Group, Inc.
info: