FEMA camp myths

It seems that ever since Hurricane Katrina there has been a of misinformation going around as to what FEMA really does.

Lets just set the record straight right now – FEMA is here to help people, not throw them in some type of FEMA prison camp.

The law makers in congress have setup a government agency that tries to help people in areas affected by a disaster.  Most of the time, the relief efforts are composed of – food, water, and temporary shelter. After Hurricane Rita hit the Southeast Texas area I got to see “some” of what FEMA does.  There was an immediate response of MRES, donated canned foods, ice and bottled water brought into the affected areas.

After Hurricane Ike, it became very clear as to what FEMA is designed to do. Bridge City Texas was flooded by the storm surge of Hurricane Ike.

The families there lucky (or blessed) – only  got about 4, 5 or even 9 feed of saltwater, mixed with marsh mud in their houses.

The families that were not so lucky – their houses were destroyed by a combination of storm surge and wind damage.

Thousands of families in Bridge City had nowhere to go.  People were living in tents, or in RVs and some families left Bridge City to go live with relatives.  Out of several thousand homes, only about 12 had not been flooded.  FEMA has been working for months to fix that problem.

Hurricane Ike destroyed home

After Hurricane Ike made landfall in September of 2008, FEMA has brought in hundreds of temporary homes.  A lot of These mobile homes were setup in front of peoples houses. Open fields were turned into so called “FEMA camps”.

Here are some pictures of FEMA trailers in Bridge City, Texas.

FEMA trailer park in Bridge City, Texas

FEMA trailers in Bridge City, Texas

When the people of southeast Texas needed help, FEMA has been there for them.  But like a lot of government agencies there is red tape and paper work that people have to go through.  Even though FEMA has been criticized for not doing enough, sometimes what people expect is not realistic.  When several thousand people are homeless over night, its impossible to help everyone right away.

After a disaster, such as a hurricane, there is only so much that any agency can do to help people.  It is each persons responsibility to ensure the health, safety and well being of not only their self, but also their family.

To discuss this post, visit the FEMA camp discussion thread.