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By Hook or by Crook, Surviving Storm
Derrick Evans, left, Karen Savage and John Wathen plan their route for delivering supplies to areas surrounding the Turkey Creek neighborhood of Gulfport.
(Photos By Kevin Clark -- The Washington Post)
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"There is no doubt we should have had, and could have had, more [help] quicker," Moran says. "It's my perception that not all of the FEMA divisions communicate very well."
When Moran finally fielded the long-awaited call from FEMA, the official had a question.
"Can you get us a building?" he said.
Moran says it was another two days before FEMA got fully up and running.
Shortage of Homes
On Friday, a dozen mayors gathered in the Gulfport City Hall to brainstorm about how to speed aid to the affected cities. They called it Mayors on a Mission.
They sat around a conference table, swapping stories and potential solutions. In Biloxi, Mayor A.J. Holloway has lost 75 percent of his tax base. Warr is facing 4 million cubic yards of debris. In Ocean Springs, Moran is putting up church volunteers in her damaged house.
Among their listeners was Marsha Barbour. She stood at the front of the room and thanked them for their tireless efforts. "I know there are frustrations," she said. "None of ya'll have had a break." She waved a sheaf of papers. "I will facilitate anything I can. I only see Haley late at night. But I do get the last word."
Afterward, she remarked that the mayors seem determined to solve their own problems. "There was no whining from these people." But she was also concerned about the overwork and exhaustion she sensed. "I'm worried about breakdowns," she said.
After three weeks, the worst problem confronting Mississippi is homelessness. Officials at every level are clamoring for trailers. In Jackson County alone, the Red Cross estimates 105,000 people are homeless. Many residents are living in wrecked shells of houses, and concerns for their well-being are mounting.
By last week, when Mississippi had received only 20 trailers from FEMA, Lott was calling the delay "an unmitigated disaster." But by late Friday, there finally appeared to be a breakthrough -- FEMA assured local officials that housing was on the way. FEMA now says 2,949 trailers and mobile homes are in the state, with more coming.
"I try to be positive. This is an overwhelming event," Lott says.
Meanwhile, federal officials have been streaming into Mississippi. Between Friday and Saturday, Warr met with President Bush, as well as Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.
On Friday, Chertoff attended a prayer service on the steps of the Gulfport City Hall. He was late. By way of apology, he told Warr he had been on the phone, trying to get movement on those trailers. "He reassured me he's cutting through bureaucracy," Warr says.
All the federal officials have asked Warr what he needs.
"I can't tell you what we need," Warr replies, "because we need everything."
