I read your story on the web and I feel definately that much more could and should be done. It seems that when ever another country has a diaster we are the first to run and help. But when our own people need help we are told "it's on the way" and now months later people are still waiting. Does any one see any sense in this? If you do, you need to LOOK AGAIN. I live in PA and wish there was something I could do to get this gov't to move but why listen to me, I'm just a tax payor.

I read your story and take it from someone who is in the manufactured housing industry, a quick response was issued and carried out on our end. As far as FEMA's ability to do what has been asked I can't speak for. So please do not think that the general population is not doing everthing to help. May I pose a question though? What are the citizens of the hardest hit areas doing to help themselves? With this many displaced people can they not find work possible helping to rebuild their own lives and their communities instead of waiting for HANDOUTS?

If Hurricane Katrina had taken place in the arab world, the neglect and lack of response we have witnessed from our government toward our citizens during the past seven weeks would have never taking place. In an unending effort from president Bush to try to portray his "good image" toward the muslims and the world, trucks and airplanes full of water, food, blankets, and supplies would have been available for the victims without delay. Instead of trailers, which they have not yet been delivered to Mississippi, the efforts will already be in progress to build them appropriate housing, schools and hospitals. In Florida, prior to the November presidential elections, we had almost weekly visits from our "very concerned" president to the hurricane afflicted areas.... FEMA has not been treating the victims of the last four Florida hurricanes with the speed and respect they deserve as tax paying american citizens! And we still have two more years of the great and only G.W. Bush!

I hope someone with connections at FEMA reads this, is embarrased and then jumps in to action!

FEMA stand for Frittering Everyone's Money Away! It seems FEMA is totally disfunctional and is incapable of helping those in need. The one mobile home builder in the gulf coast that was capable of providing housing for Hurricane Katrina victims was passed over by FEMA and the contract awarded to a firm in Alaska. The President, Congress, and all members of the Administration should be forced to be homeless until shelter is found for all the gulf coast homeless.

Living in a tent for five weeks isn't so bad. Just remember that there's plenty of people over in Iraq sleeping in tents for over a year. Sure, more could be done... which is always true. Just be glad you've got some sort of roof over your head.

We've all seen pictures of rows and rows of trailers ready for the people who need them, but they're not moving anywhere... they just sit vaccant.
It's pretty pathetic that our own government can't handle OUR problems, yet they're off in Pakistan helping out there so that they can make "points" with the Pakistanis. And one of the worst things about it is that the people who had the least are the ones who are suffering the most!
It's all a matter of govenmental infighting and priorities. I just pray that when election time rolls around the people of this country remember who was in charge when the government failed to do it's best for it's people.

It has always been "those with the least suffer the most", ain't that america....

The problem could be summed up by simply saying, "in order to have a plan, one must have a clue"

To respondents, Eddie Worsham and Seth: I hope that one day you are faced with total devastation: loss of home, community and job. That you too have the oppotunity to experience life on the side of a road amidst rubble and a chance to walk miles to get ice and water. I hope that you will live in a makeshift tent and spend days full of muck without the advantage of running water or a toilet to use. And who do you think is rummaging through what is left of their lives and ripping the wet and soggy interiors of their homes out for the trash collectors. Who do you think is working from dawn till dusk cutting trees and hauling branches and debris from thier properties. Obviously not ya'll. So while you sit smuggly in your dry and furnished home, with your television set and your computer, your pictures and books, your running water and toilets, perhaps you should look inside yourselves before you pass judgement on people and situations you are clearly unable to understand.

Hey Eddie Worsham.. Does your RETIRED senior citizen Mom and Dad go to another town to find work??..Get a grip or better yet, Move to the destroyed area and "find work"..Put your energy into getting them help. not critisim

Hey Eddie and Seth where do you get off passing judgements on the people of Bay St Louis. I am from there and I know personally that those people are hardworking people before the storm and even harder working people after the storm. You cannot even imagine from all the pictures you see of the devastation how bad it is down there. Everything these people have ever known is completely destroyed. And these Seniors who worked all their lives putting money into the government now have nothing and the government is dillydallying around and not getting them the relief they need. By the way those FEMA trailers are sitting about 60 miles north of Bay St Louis in a huge field in Purvis MS just sitting there when they could be on their way to the coast. You say be grateful that you have a tent over your head at night, Appearently you have never been to the coast of Mississippi, it is hot down there and now there is no shade to retreat from the sun it just beats down on you hot and humid. Not to even mention the bugs that are constantly biting you. I hope you two guys are the only two jerks that feel this way. Your comments totally disgusted me.

It's interesting to me that I can live in Boise Idaho, and work with someone affected by our broken system. I work in an NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), where a young mother displaced by Katrina delivered her baby prematurely. Our social workers were unable to get any assistance for this young mother because she was NOT a minority, NOT from another country, and NOT previously living on assistance. In order for her to Get assistance she was forced to fly back to Louisiana and get into the system there. I would think that the social services in Louisiana is busy enough. Shame on us for not treating each other like family in a crisis.

I've been thinking about this situation for hours while doing errands etc. The Bay St. Louis situation (and I'm sure there are others) require some heavy press coverage and a few generals. Bush never gets on anything until he's publically and nationally chastised. Blogging isn't enough. This is such a disgrace and my heart goes out to all of those people, but my heart isn't going to get them their trailers. And I don't know how to get press coverage...maybe someone else does. By the way, I don't consider them lucky at all. Their situation is my worst nightmare. I do, however, consider them admirable and they have my utmost respect, which again won't get them a trailer.

Amen to Carol from Falls Church, VA. Eddie and Seth are nothing but ignorance exemplified. But then again, ignorance is bliss, right? Indeed blissful for Eddie and Seth who could never comprehend, even in their wildest dreams the magnitutde of devestation endured by this region. It makes me sick to know that Americans like this actually exist. Almost inhumane for your supposed fellow man to wish more hardship and difficulties upon those already with plight. You ought to both shut your mouths and venture down to LA and MS and give some of your time and energy, perhaps sleep in a tent and get eaten alive by mosquitos. When you return, respond to me. I AM sure your opinions will have changed.

This story deserves higher profile than the blog site.

Shame on those people who are hindering and not helping.

FEMA bought at least 200 campers from one dealer in West Michigan. FEMA paid people to drive them to hurricane area. Last I heard, the campers were just parked, not being used.

I have been watching CNN since Aug 29th,,,when Katrina first hit,,,and the various other hurricanes,, the devistation that has come with each storm. It appalls me how slack the aid came in after Katrina, and how they say they will do so much better with each storm since ( I sure hope they are) . I guess the ones to be honest with anyone will be the people living in those ares effected.In a county so rich when it comes to helping others through disasters or wars, I only hope the usa government can help their own country before your "wonderful festive season" starts off with "THanksgiving",,,,by helping with aid for your own country. I hope to 'someone" that them damn trailers promised from FEMA are put in place soon so that these peoples have a home, a secure roof over their heads, a feeling of security and home,, for the first time in 2 months.. In saying that,,, I wish all a safe recovery this hurricane season. GOd bless all

i stayed in my home through Katrina because my husband, James refused to leave and I could not leave him. I cannot begin to tell you of the nightmare I experienced. We had the surge and the lost of power and all things that was a normal existance. We spent the night in our attic with spiders, ants, and mosquitoes. We were not able to even know if a world was out there for three days before our neighborhood was cut out. The call for a "mandantory evacuation" came too late. We live in an isolated area in St. Tammany Parish and by the time we were informed to invacuate, the weather was too severe. We are seniors, my husband who is 70 did not want to get on the road to evacuate on Sunday when we heard about the mandatory. But, to add insult to injury, we have not received one dollar yet from FEMA. I first filed on 9/17 and waited for some assistance. Again filed a follow up on 10/5. According to Fema, as of this date, they sent electronic funds on 10/14 to my bank account. It is Tue.Oct.25th, I still have not received any monies from FEMA.

While the story and the comments here are all invaluable, reading between the lines reveals a much more terrifying reality. Everyone is blaming FEMA because they are the "front man." However, FEMA is actually only a small part of Mr. Bush's Homeland Security Department. If this is a demonstration of FEMA's inadequate, incompetent, inept administration and execution of "plans," we had better all pray very hard that we never really need Homeland Security. The entire "Department" is a joke and it is clear that, in time of crisis, none of us will have any assistance from the federal government. The lesson to be learned from this devastating and heart-wrenching event is that each and every one of us need to make our own plans ahead of time--because THIS government is simply not capable of doing their job--and really don't care that they are not even trying. Exercise on, Mr.
President.

Wow...this is amazing. I now believe what my sister has told me time and again - she is waiting for a trailer too but was a victim of Rita - "they haven't helped the Hurricane Katrina victims yet!" I pray that my sister and these folks will be in a trailer or the home of a friend or relative for Thanksgiving.

I called a RV dealership here in Warner Robins, GA. I was told that FEMA had purchased all the trailers and RVs on the lot, over 400 of them. Where are they? If the Gulf Coast of Florida had been the one hit by Katrina, you can bet your last dollar that everyone that needed a dollar grant, not a loan, but a grant and a trailer, would have one.

Yes I also saw the miles and miles of empty trailers 2 hours north of Bay St. Louis, MS.
My husband and I drove a travel trailer down to
my sister in law and her husband, due to the fact that FEMA was giving them the run around for over a month while they sat in a shelter. My life is changed forever...literally...Until you walk those streets, and see the total devastation, you cannot imagine yourself, how you would feel. What sticks in my memory the most, was seeing a refrigerator 20 feet up in a tree..The smell was still bad, 5 weeks after the hurricane. Everytime you opened the trailer door, the flies poured in..And the sticky heat was almost unbearable..We spent 8 hours looking for bath towels...Its pretty difficult when there aren't any walmarts, kmarts, etc. We finally found 6 thin used towels at (church) Katrina Relief Tent. Things we ALL take for granted, you cant find anywhere...Try to imagine life without any stores, and only having 1 gas station, with tanker trucks parked behind it, pulling up one by one when the station runs out of gas...Try to imagine..If you witnessed what I did, it would indeed, change YOUR life forever also..the way it did mine. I went home and realized.. that keeping up with Jones, and having all your nice material things, arent quite as important anymore..They could all be gone in an instant...think about it...and hug your family...

I too live in Bay ST Louis. I too am homeless and await a trailer 8 weeks later. My husband, my 15 year old and I are staying in a room at my mother's. So we are better than some. I am a health care worker and pray all the elderly and ill get trailers before the weather gets much colder. Theresa A Kirk

I feel for the people down there. My husband has been going down there to help clean up. He said there are helpful people and some lazy. Some will come help at their house and some that tell him what needs to be done and does nothing.as for the trailers my husband said they are trying to bring them in on empty land they have to run pipe for water,sewer and power and driveways . Not just for one but hundreds.I hope through all this people learn to rely on themshelfand not the goverment.A hundred yearsthey wouldn't have and people were self substaining.

I have read all of the above and my heart aches for those in the effected areas. We have done all we can up here in Missouri to help in the way of clothing, goods and money donations. This whole lack of response on our Governments part is a very painful wake up call for our country. This was a NATURAL disaster. Something we should be able to take care of. We knew they were coming. Not a total surprise like 9/11. I agree with the person who stated that we (the USA)are able to respond to a natural disater on the other side of the world better then we can here at home. Mr. Bush. These people pay your unearned salary. Get your butt in gear and DO SOMETHING!
I'm from Independence Mo and I'm sure President Truman is turning over in his grave!

I'm so sorry and I throught we were going through something. here in Beaumont Tx. Being Homeless Please take it one day at a time All my prayers go out to everyone who are dealing with the aftermaths of the storms.We still have life and we must go on. We can't blame the people who work for fema, Some are caring people just like you and I. It's the ones that don't care that sits in there (BIG-leather chairs).And give the orders to the hard working people. Who's hands are tide because they are order to do nothing. And the leather seater don't care because have a safe place to call home. I'm sure no one want to be with out a place to call home and I'm also sure everyone who is dealing with the fact of not having a place to call aren't just sitting around waiting on fema they are helping them selves. GOD BLESS AMERICA OUR HOME SWEET HOME!!!!!!!!!

It's clear that Eddie Worsham and Seth do not understand that Bay St. Louis and surrounding communities were not bastions of wealth and employment before the hurricane and certainly have no jobs to offer anyone now. Mississippi has the worst poverty rate in the country; this area in particular was very poor. If there were no jobs before and people were living on the edge as it was, how are they going to find a job now, with no house, no car, and no belongings? In order for people to pull themselves up by their bootstraps, they need to HAVE bootstraps to begin with. It's disgraceful that this country can be as wealthy as it is and offer these people so litle in assistance. They're not looking for a lifetime freebie; they're looking for help so they can get the infrastructure of their lives back together and begin providing for themselves again. This theory of not offering help because people should help themselves is what got this country and this area into this jam to begin with.

I agree with Micki's comment, do not depend on the federal government for help. It's kind of like Social Security, it would be nice if it is around in 20 years, but I certainly wouldn't count on it. I am less concerned about myself than about people with less resources, the disabled and the infirm, and the like.

There is a list of contacts on the FEMA website here:
http://www.fema.gov/feedback/#da

Here are the disaster assitance contacts:

Disaster Assistance

General disaster assistance questions: FEMA-Correspondence-Unit@dhs.gov.

Generators and other reimbursement of disaster purchase questions: FEMA-Correspondence-Unit@dhs.gov.

Appeal and denial questions: FEMA-Correspondence-Unit@dhs.gov.

Where is my claim in the process? -
https://www1.disasteraid.fema.gov/IAC/isaacHome.jsp

Register for disaster assistance online: http://www.fema.gov/register.shtm

Register for disaster assistance over the phone: 1-800-621-FEMA

THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES.

Where are the trailers? I'll tell you where 50-100 of them are right now waiting for delivery; Dallas, Oregon on the properties of Forest Industries, Inc. The trailers have been done for weeks, but they cannot find "volunteers" to drive them all the way to Louisiana. Drivers have to have special licenses and bonding (at their own expense). FEMA has generously offered $1.25 a mile to these folks. With out-of-sight gas prices, every one trying to keep their jobs, and only meager compensation and red tape offered for those dedicated few who have the time and the willingness, it'll be a wonder if any of these brand new RV's are delivered! Nice work, FEMA!

We are all the "government" and should be ashamed that more personal planning was not done. This country is not set up to save everyone nor to solve each individual's problems. A disaster of this magnitude takes a long time to cleanup and get help to people.

I'm down in Mississippi, too, and can add another horror to the FEMA trailer mess. We are still waiting for ours (8 weeks later), but our neighbor across the street got his about 3 weeks ago. However, he didn't move in until this week because FEMA didn't leave the keys. There are many more like him that have trailers sitting in their yards and are still sleeping in tents because FEMA hasn't delivered the keys! I'd like to know who the heck has the frickin' keys!

I've heard alot recently, about all of the "help" that we give to other countries, and how we fall down on the job when helping our own. I agree with the second part of that...we do indeed overlook our own citizens, and we've been doing that since I've been on this planet...52 years. I would beg to disagree on the amount of "help" that we actually provide to other countries though. Somehow I find it hard to connect "help" with the killing and maiming of innocent civilians in Iraq, Afghanistan, or anywhere else. The $billion$ a day that we spend on murder and mayhem in these countries could most certainly have provided ALL the assistance necessary to help every single victim of every natural disaster we've encountered in the past 6 months.

My thanks to Arlene Johnson of Bay St. Louis for her inspiring attitude to the Katrina disaster. Her statement about surviving the storm, and staying in the senior center is the attitude that should be driving every member of FEMA. What a sad comment on a government agency.

I wanted to share with you all some shocking stories about the absurd RED TAPE that some of the MS. residents have to endure. First of all, you cant rebuild unless your new home is on at least 13 foot stilts in Bay St Louis!! Most of the homes were on 5 foot stilts before..So most residents dont want to rebuild (makes you wonder if this was proposed so some Casino can cheaply buy up all the land).
My sister in law went to get a permit to built an out building, to put their washer and dryer in. They couldnt get a permit, due to the fact that you need an actual home, before you can build an out building. So, their washer and dryer are out in the yard, next to the trailer..uncovered..
Next red tape story..My cousin and his family were living in a FEMA tent on their land in Pass Christian, he lost his home also. He got on the FEMA trailer list, when his number came up to get a trailer, they wouldnt put it on his land, due to the fact he didnt have water or electricity. So, he wanted to have it taken across county line to Bay St Louis (close to where his mother lived). They said they couldnt take the trailer over county line..He would have to go get on the list for THAT county, and start over again..waiting... They finally after 8 weeks, got a FEMA trailer in Bay St Louis, for a duration of 18 months..which is the time limit for ALL the trailers from FEMA. So what happens after 18 months? (I guess everyone should have their new homes built by then on their 13 foot stilts? What a joke)..

We would be better off living in a 3rd world country. At least the aid would be readily available at the blink of an eye. This administration spends valuable time dealing with the affairs of others while we continue to suffer. God forbid if we ever are hit with a nuclear disaster and we all have to depend on them. It's a travesty and it's embarassing to be associated with this presidency.

it is just crazy to think this still going on, and i though that this was going to be taken care when our president said that he was going to take care of it personaly. we can't trust this president, and this gov.

I've listened to people who ask why don't the people who have been displaced by Katrina help themselves instead of asking for handouts. My question to these individuals is, "when was the last time you were displaced? What do you know about psycological depression? Their gross insensitivity of people is shameful.Empathy is a necessary mindset we must all have at this time, not criticism. I know there are people who take advantage of any situation but, we must not throw the baby out with the bath water either. No personal harm is intended, just some thing to simulate the mind.

WHY IS IT THAT NONE OF THE RADIO TALK SHOW HOSTS ARE SPREADING THE WORD ABOUT THE TRAILERS' SCANDAL?

Maybe there's some good news in all this. Yes, Uncle Sam is slow and clumsy in relief. But the outpouring of private help is nothing less than inspiring. Our group, http://sistercitysupport.net/, is camped right behind the Bay St. Louis Sr. Center and works with Arlene to send out help.

Is it enough? A hundred times our effort wouldn't be enough but there are http://www.myporttownsend.com/index.php?id=16 other organizations down there too. It is time that we all start getting involved even if it is only writing a note to our legislators to fix the problems. If we don't show some gumption, if we don't get involved, how can we expect our government to?

I worked in Waveland Ms for two weeks! cooking and listening to the residents. Handing out supplies and going back forth from memphis Tn hauling supplies. I have six trucks all new that have certified to haul anything that is ready to haul. But fema and the corp of eng. would not put us to work. gave no reason other than it is our way or the highway. not only did i set in line for 28 days there was 5 miles of equipment waiting on our gov. I love my country.

Fema says they have put people in 35,000 R/V's in Mississippi. The post is on the fema news release.gov I know for sure there are no beings in outer space, because fema has not sent federal aid yet. Oh well!

I live in Canada, Calgary to be precise, I follow with much intent the reports, musings, the heartfelt stories, comments, and of the diverse problems, the people have faced and are facing with Katrina and its aftermath.
It is repulsive, revolting and disgusting that these so called Government, its politicians and their money making agencies have no empathy, they have their high paying leisure laden jobs and comfort and don’t care about the people who elected them and pay them to serve the very people they now disregard.

I read with much disgust how the poor police forces is disseminated and what little resources they have and are left with to continue their work, I am sure similar situations exist in all the other towns departments.

As for your retrieved FLAG of the USA I noticed something very poignant-- what remains of it is the STARS there are no STRIPES left. To me it says every single star that is on it represents every single human Star remaining in these stricken places, the Stripes I feel are the government of the US of A, and they are twisted up - just like the twisted, sick, careless government and their representatives.

Keep up the good work “You shinning STARS”

It is really sad that we cannot take care of our own people. Every time there is a natural disaster of any kind in any other country our government rushes to its aid. We the People of the USA. Not the government take care of own. The government needs to wake up and smell the coffee. They need to quit worrying about lining their pockets and worry about others for a change. All those jobs you continue to outsource overseas you look good bringing them back and giving them to OUR PEOPLE who are without