Gov Exec-Homeland Security had power to bypass states in response

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Homeland Security had power to bypass states in hurricane response
By Chris Strohm

The Homeland Security Department had the power to bypass bureaucratic obstacles in response to Hurricane Katrina, but it isn't clear if the department fully used its authority.

The federal government has been criticized during the past week for being slow to respond to the hurricane's impact, especially with regard to the situation in New Orleans, where levees broke on Tuesday, flooding the city, killing thousands and leaving tens of thousands stranded for days with no food, water or medical care.

Homeland Security officials have said in their defense that they pre-positioned resources before the hurricane struck, but had to wait for the states to request federal assistance before they could fully move into the affected regions.

Full story: http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=32198&dcn=e_gvet