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Former FEMA Director Michael Brown on preparations ahead of Tropical Storm Isaac and how hurricane preparedness has changed since Hurricane Katrina.
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Out Michael ground -- receive director of course was there or seven years ago tomorrow when we remember Katrina.
And he knows a thing to do about storms a lot of folks are not prepared for that end up being a lot -- serious.
Then we thought certainly Michael as you and I've discussed many times that was the originals.
Decimation on Katrina we don't retrospect.
Anything but aren't any any in this storm or at least you hear from the -- preparedness.
Ahead of that debt that worries you or -- His concerns.
We'll just what -- -- that's the size of the storm.
-- my guess is I'm not a meteorologist.
-- it probably won't get to a category three level which would preserve some serious concerns but because of the size of the storm.
We're probably gonna have a lot of heavy flooding a lot of heavy rain.
Good news though -- is.
Four works Mitchell and group them Bobby Jindal.
Both of those guys have already declared states of emergency in New Orleans.
And in Louisiana they're paying attention to it.
They're doing the things that local officials need to do so even if there's a lot of flooding lot of running those guys are on top of it must think kudos to.
You know Michael you and I also chatted about this before that doesn't it becomes an -- of who's on first who's in charge jobs we certainly had.
The case it you know -- in New Orleans at the mayor of who didn't seem up to speed -- governor was that at cross points with the mayor and with the president.
You know when new was in charge is there a clear chain of command for disasters such as these.
And what might or might not come of -- a lot of the big big -- governors of those states directly affected.
Including other governor this find stadium -- -- Bobby Jindal of Louisiana have opted to stay in their states.
Is that delighted to be in right at the governor's store or or what is -- order.
That that is the chain of command and that's why I'm so proud of these guys for having done what they were supposed to do.
The amendment -- should have been done seven years ago and that is take charge of their state.
They're basically say to FEMA and Homeland Security here's what we are doing.
Here maybe some areas where you could help us and DHS should basically be in which are which are no they all -- In Constant Contact with the local guys and with the governor.
And then move everything in and be ready to move on a moment's notice.
Win the steak or win the -- saying we need X wires the that you help the most XYZ.
If they do that then if BHF doesn't bottle things up the response should be perfect storm.
You're gonna by the department own security that's -- we just seems at all not a layer of madness of it you're you're -- -- -- and doesn't Michael and I am.
Now it is another layer of madness I think what what I'm reading in the news print what.
I'm hearing from people in the system that are talking to me.
They're saying that at this point Apollo Apollo has really given the reins of this to Craig few good which is where it belongs.
And those long as they stay over why you let these people coordinator should be okay.
I'm real quickly you were the first -- warned for years ago about.
These levees that didn't know no one really -- much discussed and whether they could hold up thunderous storm of any severity right.
Those levees have been repaired to the tune of billions of dollars.
If god forbid -- -- looking at something severe -- just that area is it ready this current.
I don't know I mean -- that's that's the 64 million actually took fifteen billion dollar question right right all right corps of -- has has spent.
So we're gonna find out -- they've done some of the flood protection measures that should have been done decades ago so I think that's a good sign.
The the best -- is that this storm stays below category three.
Because of it gets to be a three or larger even that fifteen billion dollar investment is -- -- do much.
It depends almost.
Well put.
Well put well put Michael Brown -- to -- directors thank you Michael as always.
