All the news folk are making comparisons between 9/11 and Katrina now and wondering why we did so much better with 9/11.
In my opinion, there is absolutely no comparison to make. In 9/11, altho loss of life was greater, the area affected was extremely localized. No infrastructure was destroyed. Getting to the scene was easy, power was available, roads were undamaged except in the immediate area, Communications, altho clogged with folk calling around checking on friends/family was up and running. There were a lot of dead, but relatively few "refugees" to house, clothe, and feed. The event was also an attack from an outside enemy, which pulled people together in a patriotic way. It was just a different animal. No comparison to make.
Katrina absolutely destroyed all the infrastructure, there was no communication for days. Vast amounts of housing was destroyed, creating many 10s of thousands of refugees that needed taking care of. Getting supplies to the scene was all but impossible except in small boats and helicopters. Fox News reported that the affected area was 90,000 square miles. Can you fathom providing assistance in a couple days notice to residents of an area that huge?
Don't get me wrong, it could have been done better, but to compare the two as if they were the same is just ridiculous.
Ian