Bush Pledges Help For Victims
President Bush pledged extensive assistance for victims of Hurricane Katrina on Monday and urged those in areas affected to remain safe until the danger "from this devastating storm" passed. The government put into effect a massive emergency assistance program that included rushing baby formula, communications equipment, generators, water and ice into hard-hit areas.
"When the storm passes, the federal government has got assets and resources that we'll be deploying to help you. In the meantime, America will pray — pray for the health and safety of all our citizens," Mr. Bush said in remarks directed at storm victims. He made the comments during a previously scheduled speech on Medicare at an RV resort here.
"Our Gulf Coast is getting hit and hit hard," Mr. Bush said. "I urge the citizens there in the region to continue to listen to the local authorities. Don't abandon your shelters until you're given clearance by the local authorities. Take precautions because this is a dangerous storm."
Mr. Bush also was considering releasing oil from petroleum reserves to help refiners, administration officials said.
As the storm surged ashore just east of New Orleans on Monday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency had medical teams, rescue squads and groups prepared to supply food and water poised in a semicircle around the city.
"I was impressed with the evacuation. Once it was ordered it was very smooth," FEMA Director Michael Brown said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. With the storm moving north, Brown said he expected to see flooding in Tennessee and the Ohio Valley.
Brown also told CBS News' The Early Show that the government is preparing supplies and response teams to move wherever Gulf state inhabitants need them once the weather allows.
"The men and women here are ready to respond anywhere and everywhere," Brown told Harry Smith. "As President Bush outlined the logistics and everything we were doing, he made the note he was very impressed with what we're doing. We're ready to respond to everything the governors might need."
Efforts include:
With an array of relief services waiting in the wings, what exactly do city officials fear?
"Flooding, of course, is our main concern," Blanco told The Early Show's Hannah Storm. "It would create an untenable situation in the city if the levees are breached."
If levees don't stand up to the Category 4 storm, up to 25 feet of water — that's taller then most of the city's homes — could cover the basin area of town. Recovery could be a long-term ordeal. Brown says restoring electricity could become a "block to block, house to house" reconstruction effort. And some people may be without power for weeks.
"We're preparing for what could potentially be a strong environmental disaster, as those floodwaters bring in all that kind of waste, we have to be prepared to deal with that, too," Brown said.
Federal, state and local agencies say recovery could be a slow process.
Former Army Corps of Engineers commander Robert Flowers says he couldn't begin to estimate the billions of dollars in damage the storm is causing.
And Brown told CBS News he doesn't question Mr. Bush's dedication to the relief effort, and he is sure FEMA will be able to finance even a major recovery.
"I don't want to say our pockets are limitless, but I know president Bush and Congress support FEMA in a very great way," Brown said. "Our number one priority is to help victims, save their lives, protect property. Whatever resources we need, there's no question in my mind the president and congress will get those to us."
For years, forecasters have warned of the nightmare scenario a big storm could bring to New Orleans, a bowl of a city that is up to 10 feet below sea level in spots and relies on a network of levees, canals and pumps to keep dry from the Mississippi River on one side, Lake Pontchartrain on the other.
The fear was that flooding could overrun the levees and turn New Orleans into a toxic lake filled with chemicals and petroleum from refineries, as well as waste from ruined septic systems.
Governor Blanco said although the city is at tremendous risk right now, she is confident New Orleans can hold up to the storm with the help of federal agencies.
"Our people are sturdy people, strong people," Blanco said. "We've dealt with storms before. We know we're going to lose some property. There will be extensive damage but we will rebuild."