Bush Administration Removes FEMA Director Amid Criticism of Response to Hurricane Katrina

Strategic Insights -

The Bush administration has abruptly removed Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Director Michael D. Brown from overseeing the response to Hurricane Katrina, replacing him with Vice Adm. Thad W. Allen of the Coast Guard in a bid to improve the administration's response to the devastating storm. The decision comes as the entire federal government continues to face widespread criticism for its efforts to provide aid to evacuees and begin the cleanup in earnest. Hundreds of thousands of evacuees are still struggling to navigate a maze of federal and local programs, with many reporting prolonged delays in finding assistance.

Key Takeaways:

  • Michael D. Brown, the former FEMA director, was removed from his responsibilities managing the agency's response to Hurricane Katrina on Friday, amid criticism of his performance.
  • Vice Adm. Thad W. Allen of the Coast Guard was appointed in his place, with a mandate to oversee the Hurricane Katrina response and recovery effort in the field.
  • The decision to replace Brown came as the entire federal government continued to face criticism for its efforts to provide aid to evacuees and begin the cleanup in earnest.
  • FEMA's computer system continued to malfunction, leading to frustration among evacuees and local officials attempting to use it to find assistance.
  • Hundreds of thousands of evacuees are still struggling to navigate a maze of federal and local programs, with many reporting prolonged delays in finding assistance.
  • Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Democrat of Massachusetts, called for a Tennessee Valley Authority-style entity to oversee the reconstruction of the Gulf Coast.
  • FEMA representatives assured officials in Houston that costs associated with setting up satellite trucks to improve the agency's computer operations would be federally reimbursed.

Statistics:

  • Hundreds of thousands of evacuees are still struggling to navigate a maze of federal and local programs.
  • FEMA's computer system is still malfunctioning, causing frustration among evaucuees and local officials.
  • 41-year-old school teacher from Ocean Springs, Mississippi reported being told to check the Internet or wait for postal service when she called FEMA's disaster assistance line.
  • FEMA is expected to reimburse costs associated with setting up satellite trucks to improve its computer operations in Houston.
  • 10,000 bodies were predicted to be the final toll from Hurricane Katrina, although an initial search of the city found far fewer bodies.

Sources:

  • "White House Removes FEMA Director Amid Storm" by The New York Times,

September 3, 2005.

  • "Bush to Visit Storm-Ravaged Areas Again" by The New York Times,

September 3, 2005.