Okay, so this is where we are at right now. Since simpletons like LG and BB want to screech about things they know little of, let's just focus on the four major phases of a disaster as defined by FEMA. I'll grade them A-F by Local, State and Federal and be objective:
1. Mitigation
Local, State & Federal Grade: N/A
Complete no go here for the type and ferocity of Harvey. There isn't a city in the world that could have planned to mitigate the flooding that occurred from the constant rains that have fallen so far. We are talking 12+ trillion gallons of water with no place to go. You cannot mitigate that without massive infrastructure works that would likely cost in the trillions as well. And where are you going to put it?
2. Preparedness
Local Grade - D
State Grade - B+
Federal Grade - B
Information flow was good about the storm and projected track, even though it was moving around a lot and landfall wasn't even guaranteed in a single location. I knocked down the local preparedness actions since there could have been shelters opened far in advance and they were not coordinated with the State's recommendations. One must be on the same book when it comes to these things. As for the Federal side of things, they were sitting in their position where they were supposed to be and advising and waiting on the call to assist. Right where they should be.
3: Response
Local Grade - A
State Grade - A
Federal Grade - A
Being the storm is still going on somewhat and flood waters are still a major factor, this phase is still underway. However, there appears to be a unity of effort underway from all three levels of government and you don't see rescue ops getting log-jammed by red tape and bureaucratic nonsense. So far, so good though as resources are being used wisely and we aren't seeing a "Superdome" scenario. I know folks will want to say "yet" to that, but at this point, there is unlikely to be craziness that comes out.
There is some looting, but not on the scale we saw in Katrina. It seems local residents are taking the "Don't Mess with Texas" to heart and, by and large, the looting is minimal at this time.
4. Recovery
Local, State and Federal Grade - Unknown
This will take weeks, months and possible even years to play out. Obviously, Federal aid will be helpful in this regard and Congress and the President promised quick action on it. Words at this point, but we'll see if Congress can get off its collective ass and help in those regards. The Local side of things will be the most important as restoration of basic services (power, water and communications) will be crucial to this phase. Obviously, people will have lost everything, but those areas just damaged can recover quickly if there is a good plan in place to mitigate disruption in the local economy.
Clean up will take, again, months and maybe even years depending on what damage was done. And we cannot tell that until the water recedes.
Overall Grade:
Local: B-
State: A-
Federal: B+
Again, coordination of effort and unity of a single message. It does no good for a Governor to say "evacuate" while the Mayor says "no need to." Abbot and Turner needed to get on the same page when it came to that. But the State and local emergency responders were ready to move in as soon as it was reasonably safe to do so in the aftermath. Federal Agencies provided assistance and worked for the local managers, not the other way around. And private organizations were/are getting spun up for the aftermath in good order.
Overall, this, so far, has not been without challenges, but has provided a good example of how to respond to a crisis rather than how not to we saw in Katrina. One thing I will give FEMA is the fact they learn their lessons the hard way and put ego to the side when it comes to letting the "boots on the ground" make determinations as to what is needed and where. Which is the way it should be and the way they've responded in this case.
