[From the diaries by susanhu w minor edits. I was shocked by the strange report on today’s 1pm Seattle NPR news that Gov. Christine Gregoire (Democrat) suddenly announced that Washington state would not receive the 2,000 evacuees it was eager to embrace. Why?]
I was skeptical, until I saw…
Transfers of evacuees outside of States under solid Republican control have been halted. (in extended)
I have a hard time buying that even half of these folks would rather live dormitory style under Fed supervision, than in supportive communities. It’s not like recent experience would cause them to have great faith in FEMA.
They’re collecting identifying information on evacuees, but not putting it online so that relatives may readily find each other.
See a pattern?
Press release found at wispolitics.com
Wisconsin Dept. of Military Affairs: FEMA Says Wisconsin on Hold for Katrina Evacuees
9/7/2005Wisconsin Emergency Operations Center, 608-242-3294
Today Wisconsin was notified by FEMA and the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) that until further information becomes available all plans to transfer Hurricane Katrina evacuees from Texas to other states are “on hold.”
Governor Doyle and other Governors participated on a conference call this morning with FEMA and Department of Homeland Security officials. FEMA requested states to inventory available space. Secretary Michael Chertoff informed the Governors that transfers of evacuees to most states was being put on hold, and that the focus now is on states closest to the Gulf region. Like Wisconsin, other states have been asked to stand by while FEMA and Homeland Security work through their transportation plan.
EMAC system is a legislatively approved system that provides form and structure to interstate mutual aid. On Monday, Governor Doyle notified the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that Wisconsin is willing and able to receive 1,150 evacuees from the areas impacted by Hurricane Katrina. Prior to today’s communication from FEMA and EMAC, FEMA had indicated that evacuees could arrive on as little as 12 hours notice.
Today’s notice from FEMA and EMAC stated that recent assessments have determined that many evacuees are not interested in transferring from their locations in Texas. According to the notice, “Many evacuees prefer to remain in the region as they resolve issues concerning the status of property, employment, and the safety of loved ones.”
Additionally, hurricane evacuees who have come to Wisconsin on their own are encouraged to contact FEMA and apply for federal disaster assistance. They may be eligible for a variety of grants and programs. To register, contact FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or for the hearing/speech impaired at TTY: 1-800-462-7585. The current hours and days of operation are 24 hours per day seven days a week. Registration is also available online on the FEMA website at www.FEMA.gov.
According to the American Red Cross, there are currently 30 individuals living temporarily at State Fair Park in Milwaukee. In addition, the Red Cross is serving more than 100 evacuees who have other housing arrangements and came to Wisconsin on their own. Any evacuee in Southeastern Wisconsin can access services at State Fair Park.
And from Springfield Journal-Register, Illinois…
Some of the uncertainty felt by the victims of Hurricane Katrina was being experienced Tuesday by the professionals and volunteers preparing in Springfield to greet dozens of the evacuees…
“We want them to come here and have some type of bed to sleep in and someplace – although we realize it’s nothing like home – that is not a cot in the midst of 10,000 other people,” said Patti Thompson, spokeswoman for the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. “And that’s what we’ve set up.”
