FEMA underestimated Katrina repair costs

[brooklynite]

NEW ORLEANS - Many initial estimates by the Federal Emergency Management Agency of the cost of repairing thousands of water-logged buildings, cracked pipes and crumbling streets in hurricane-staggered Louisiana were way too low — and some reconstruction projects are being held up because of it.

Some local governments say they cannot legally or financially hire contractors and get on with the work, because they fear they will be saddled with repair costs that won't be reimbursed by Washington.

The FEMA estimates were made as part of a federal program under which local governments make repairs at their own expense, then ask for reimbursement from the federal government.

The low-ball estimates were done by sometimes-inexperienced estimators hurriedly hired and trained by FEMA in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, which struck last summer and fall. Often, the estimates were based on the much-cheaper, pre-storm costs of labor and equipment.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060922/ap_on_re_us/katrina_repair_costs_2

Heckuvajob boys...

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

1. This Is LBN???

This wasn't even news back in September 2005. We're a pathetic pathetic country.

[pitohui]

2. yeah it's ridiculous

it probably didn't help the cost of labor and materials has soared but they seem to have no grasp on what it will take to rebuild orleans, st. bernard, or lower plaquemines for starters, i have the impression that cameron parish is being pretty much given up on

[BOSSHOG]

3. The Gov't doesn't work, put republicans in charge, they'll prove it

We had no idea it would cost so much. Who would have thought a hurricane would do so much damage in New Orleans. Gosh, we need to cut taxes to solve this problem.

[Joe Chi Minh]

4. Didn't realise how deep Halliburton's pockets were.

[pinerow]

5. Duh...

nt

[intheflow]

6. Increased costs are killing us in Mississippi, too.

Labor costs more, materials cost more. As people who are constantly touting how fabulous market-driven capitalism is, this administration certainly should have been able to predict that scarcity+demand=higher costs.

Oh, but I forgot. There was a pony show judge running this, uh, horse and pony show. x(

[Solly Mack]

7. Really? Whodda thunk it?

damn...

[ConcernedCanuk]

8. Stop the slaughter in the ME - that'll free up a few hundred Billion!!!!

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.
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Take care of your own citizens FIRST, George . .

That's what "leaders" are supposed to do . .

[Gloria]

9. Are you sure you don't mean "miunderestimated"????