FEMA in Texas, Another Mess?

The failed in Louisiana, and Mississippi, and it appears that in Texas they are not winning many friends.

For more than two days after Hurricane Rita laid waste to this small East Texas town, volunteer Fire Chief Steve Conner watched the relief convoys roar up State Road 105. But Conner's early hopes turned to frustration and finally to anger when truck after truck did not stop.

Evadale residents were sweltering in scorching heat without power or water. Meanwhile, tons of ice and food rolled through town at highway speeds.

"These FEMA trucks have to pass right by our fire station and go to the farthest end of the county, and we couldn't get any help," Conner said. "We just had to do what we could on our own."

fortunately, in these areas they do have the ability to move around and are only in need of relief, not rescue. The response to the threat Rita presented was much better than that of Katrina. In addition Rita ended up being less powerful and hitting a less densely populated area. Two points that take much pressure off those who are tasked with offering aid, that said, it still appears that FEMA's response was at best spotty and still a little slow.