Where's FEMA? Things are BAD in Kentucky

**Gardengal18** · 02-02-2009, 10:49 AM

This is a DISGRACE - To say the least!

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...Sw6YgD96272GG5

**suki** · 02-02-2009, 11:09 AM

Just what do you expect from FEMA?

They are there. They can't make the ice melt any faster. There are limitations to the response... also, things are BAD everywhere this storm traveled. I'm in Arkansas and things are BAD here... the article you linked listed how many states this has effected... these are really rural populations with a lot of trees hindering relief efforts.

Just wondering... just what do you expect?

**YankeeMom** · 02-02-2009, 11:18 AM

FEMA can't fix the wires. It's up to the utility companies. We've had a couple of ice storms here. One of them we went two weeks without water or power. It sucks. I do agree with the article though. If people have the means, they should get out and let those who do not have the means use the shelters.

**mickee311** · 02-02-2009, 11:30 AM

The ice has been melted since yesterday. FEMA may not be able to do anything about the downed lines and such, but we certainly could use them for help with the hungry families and people without power. I don't think she was expecting them to come fix the lines. I think she expected them to help the people without power and water survive. We just got our electric back on a couple of days ago. Still can't use the water. We are way more fortunate than others in the area, they really do need the help.

Another thing, it's not just "really rural" populations in need. The city of Louisville still has no power in many areas. It's a fairly big city.

**Gardengal18** · 02-02-2009, 11:33 AM

We get Ice Storms up in the mountains of Pennsylvania too yanno, and it's never been as bad as what's going on down there. My father talked to a friend of his there (on cell phone) and told him to pack up his family and come to my dad's in Florida. The man told him they can't even get out and haven't seen any help for a week now.

After "Katrina" one would think the Government would not want a repeat and be prepared AHEAD of time before the first flake falls. This just makes them looks very foolish. And here I thought a natural disaster of Katrina magnitude would "never happen again"???

**Gardengal18** · 02-02-2009, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by mickee311

The ice has been melted since yesterday. FEMA may not be able to do anything about the downed lines and such, but we certainly could use them for help with the hungry families and people without power. I don't think she was expecting them to come fix the lines. I think she expected them to help the people without power and water survive. We just got our electric back on a couple of days ago. Still can't use the water. We are way more fortunate than others in the area, they really do need the help.

Another thing, it's not just "really rural" populations in need. The city of Louisville still has no power in many areas. It's a fairly big city.

BINGO!

Oh and let me know when B.O. is done with his "mix and mingles" and "Superbowl Parties" and he plans on viewing the effected areas by helicopter! I doubt very much that if it were Chicago that FEMA would still not be able to get to those people who need help! More than likely the area would have been declared a State of Emergency before the first flake fell.

**tbs727** · 02-02-2009, 11:44 AM

I'm in NW Arkansas, too, in one of the hardest hit areas and FEMA didn't do one thing. Never showed up, never helped anyone.

Our state and local governments, and the people in our area with food and electricity helped those who needed it. In fact, we are still helping people. We were among the few people we know that didn't lose electricity. Much of our week was spent feeding friends and letting them use our showers and laundry facilities. My fridge was full of other peoples food. I felt it was my responsibility to offer everything I had. The federal government is useless in helping people. It's falls on those of us who can help to help. IMO

It's too bad because the idea and the purpose of FEMA is wonderful, just not the execution of it. I'm heartbroken for those who have lost loved ones.

**YankeeMom** · 02-02-2009, 11:49 AM

IMO I don't think this compares to Katrina AT ALL.

**thefrug** · 02-02-2009, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by tbs727

I'm in NW Arkansas, too, in one of the hardest hit areas and FEMA didn't do one thing. Never showed up, never helped anyone.

Our state and local governments, and the people in our area with food and electricity helped those who needed it. In fact, we are still helping people. We were among the few people we know that didn't lose electricity. Much of our week was spent feeding friends and letting them use our showers and laundry facilities. My fridge was full of other peoples food. I felt it was my responsibility to offer everything I had. The federal government is useless in helping people. It's falls on those of us who can help to help. IMO

It's too bad because the idea and the purpose of FEMA is wonderful, just not the execution of it. I'm heartbroken for those who have lost loved ones.

abso-posi-tootly!! EVERYTHING you just said. I keep saying....Do NOT expect the government to lead you out of the darkness. Communities need to band together to get through this! Folks with gas leftover from the mowers last summer need to donate it to people who have chain saws so they can move the trees downed. Hardware stores need to open and donate what they can to get the towns and cities opened up! Come on guys. You're Americans!! You can handle this! Put your heads together and get it done.

ok end of rant....sorry. it's frustrating reading all the stuff coming from out of there and think come ON, get together, get to work, H@## with the government.

**Michelle** · 02-02-2009, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by YankeeMom

IMO I don't think this compares to Katrina AT ALL.

:agree: Katrina was far worse IMO.

We had ice storms up here right before Christmas. I was one of the lucky ones who were only out of power for a few hours. People not too far from me were out for at least 10 days. I feel for the people going through this right now.

**TheRootedNomad** · 02-02-2009, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by suki

Just what do you expect from FEMA?

They are there. They can't make the ice melt any faster. There are limitations to the response... also, things are BAD everywhere this storm traveled. I'm in Arkansas and things are BAD here... the article you linked listed how many states this has effected... these are really rural populations with a lot of trees hindering relief efforts.

Just wondering... just what do you expect?

Speaking as someone from Ky. I COULD ask for a lot more. I am in Louisville and it's still a mess here with lots of people without power still a WEEK late and no outside help. Louisville however is holding it's own as far as shelters, our red cross chapter, local utility companies and help from outside electric crews. It is MUCH worse in places like Leitchfield. Some places still have no water. Many of them can't get out because of downed trees. There should have been hordes of federal personnel out there with food, water, chainsaws, and generators. 50 to 100 generators when its below freezing and over 600,000 without power. Come on now.

**suki** · 02-02-2009, 12:14 PM

So, you expect the FEMA agency to come in to your area and take over. You expect them to set up the shelters, conduct the searches and provide the meals?

If so, I think you misunderstand the purpose of FEMA. The Red Cross, Salvation Army and your local relief agencies exist for the purposes mentioned above. FEMA is there to assist, coordinate and fund these operations. They do not have a FEMA army ready to respond en masse to this.

What are they doing... they're funding efforts and sending generators. What else, specifically, do you expect?

**fixer** · 02-02-2009, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by YankeeMom

If people have the means, they should get out and let those who do not have the means use the shelters.

Should we have to show our W2's everytime we use government services? How do you define means? I guess the government will serve everyone regardless of race, sex, religion, but wait if you are of "means" we must turn you away.

I resent the comparisons of this disaster to anything. It is up to each person going through it to determine how bad it is.

**Greebo** · 02-02-2009, 12:37 PM

Well if Bush was to blame for New Orleans, then clearly Obama is to blame for Kentucky, yes?

**TheRootedNomad** · 02-02-2009, 12:37 PM

Originally Posted by suki

So, you expect the FEMA agency to come in to your area and take over. You expect them to set up the shelters, conduct the searches and provide the meals?

If so, I think you misunderstand the purpose of FEMA. The Red Cross, Salvation Army and your local relief agencies exist for the purposes mentioned above. FEMA is there to assist, coordinate and fund these operations. They do not have a FEMA army ready to respond en masse to this.

What are they doing... they're funding efforts and sending generators. What else, specifically, do you expect?

I don't misunderstand what FEMA is or does. I said "federal personnel". The National Guard has been deployed to some areas. I feel there should have been more of them. Properly trained and prepared military should be able to still be helpful regardless of the hazardous conditions. Does this mean I don't think we are also responsible to help ourselves and our neighbors? Of coarse we are! I am also very disappointed though on many aspects of how this is being treated.