Lessons from Hurricane Katrina

What do you think could have been done in the years preceding Hurricane Katrina to better prepare the United States to deal with this kind of event? Do you think this event was so large that only a federal response could have managed it?

Disaster response can be confusing, especially given the many layers of organizations that might be involved. With Federal agencies, state agencies, county organizations, and non-government groups like Salvation Army and the Red Cross operating in one area, there is bound to be confusion. Which groups or organizations should be primarily responsible for responding to a natural disaster that affects a small city?

What specific changes did the creation of the Department of Homeland Security bring about in the emergency management capacity of your own community? What are the effects of these changes on your community and in the United States?