FEMA: Molasses response still plagues Coast

The Clarion-Ledger Editorial, 7/12/7

Here in Mississippi, for example, casinos have rebounded. There were 12 casinos on the Gulf Coast when Katrina struck Aug. 29, 2005, shutting down the Coast gaming industry. Now there are 11, and revenue could exceed the $2.8 billion record of 2004.

But only a few blocks away, off the main drag, are block after block of ruins that once were houses. About 24,400 FEMA trailers still house about 65,900 Katrina victims.

This, while only last month, after Gov. Haley Barbour reportedly unloaded on them, FEMA backed down from banning cities from rebuilding in “velocity” flood zones – meaning some city halls couldn’t be rebuilt within their city limits!? – and that elevation maps for rebuilding could be delayed for two years.