FEMA: We're Ready For Hurricanes

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which was blamed for a woefully inadequate response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, says that coastal states have adequate plans in place to meet the threat of this year's hurricane season, which is expected to be unusually active. In Louisiana, however, there is concern that National Guard equipment that may be needed has been deployed to Iraq. And while FEMA also trumpeted its own plans to speed the delivery of aid to any areas hit by a strong hurricane, the Government Accountability Office said the agency is unlikely to be ready to enact that more robust response strategy in time for this year's storms. Hurricane season starts June 1 -- Friday -- and FEMA doesn't expect to complete preparations before July 1, according to a story in the May 30 USA Today.