Officials from the federal to local level are still assessing the damage Hurricane Gustav did to Louisiana, particularly New Orleans, but initial indications are that officials learned the lessons of Hurricane Katrina three years ago to prevent a much greater human tragedy.
Instead of the recriminations and heart-wrenching scenes that characterized the chaotic post-Katrina response, officials have been quick to praise their cooperative planning leading to the mass evacuation of nearly 2 million Louisianans in two days and shelter preparations to house evacuees.
In contrast to a defensive Michael Brown of three years ago, his successor as administrator at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, David Paulison, said the "cooperation was the best I've seen" with parish presidents, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin and the governors of Texas, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana working together.
Mr. Brown was ousted from his post after bearing the blame for what was a bungled FEMA response early on to Katrina and a failure to prepare for the devastating storm. Even he had praise for the Gustav preparations, saying Monday evening that he would give "state and local government an 'A.'"
President Bush said Monday that the "coordination on this storm is a lot better than on — than during Katrina." Unlike three years ago when he remained at his Crawford, Texas, ranch, as Katrina lashed New Orleans, the president displayed greater sensitivity by traveling to emergency command centers in Texas to monitor events.
The weakened Gustav that struck the coastal region was not as powerful as initially feared and much less devastating than Katrina, but pre-storm preparations served to prevent the scenes of desperate evacuees pleading for food and water and being airlifted from rooftops. FEMA along with the state National Guard helped transport evacuees. FEMA was also setting up a registry to assist in locating missing relatives.
In a crucial difference between the two storms, the New Orleans levee system held although it is still being rebuilt following Katrina.
The cooperation will be further tested as local, state and federal agencies are called upon to provide emergency housing and needs to displaced residents across several states anxiously waiting to return home. And at least one voice was sounding a cautionary note. Major Gen. Don Riley, deputy commanding general of the Army Corps of Engineers, said it was "much too early" to be declaring success.
But clearly local, state and federal officials deserve credit for a much better prepared and coordinated response.
