Homeland Security Chief Discusses State's Hurricane Plan

Raleigh, N.C. — U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff met with Gov. Mike Easley Monday to discuss North Carolina's hurricane readiness.

Easley and Chertoff said they want to make sure North Carolina is prepared in the event of a hurricane. Recent polls suggest most residents statewide don't have a disaster plan or an emergency kit, Easley said.

The governor touted a new video, "Get Ready North Carolina," and the Web site readync.org as places state residents can get all the information they need to prepare for a storm.

The last time the state was really tested was in September 2005, when Hurricane Ophelia lashed the coast.

Since then, more members of the North Carolina National Guard have been deployed to Iraq, weakening the state's hurricane response capabilities. But both Easley and Chertoff said North Carolina is covered for anything short of a catastrophe.

"We've got more than enough at the National Guard level, both locally and nationwide, and supported by (the Defense Department), who deal with a number of disasters," Chertoff said.

"You get to a Category 4 or 5 (hurricane), we're going to need additional help here, and I think everybody recognizes that. The good news is, we generally know in advance if that's what we're facing," Easley said.

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Chertoff wasn't running homeland security during Katrina. Also the mayor of NO and Governor of La had prime responsibility to prepare for the storm. They both did nothing then blamed others for their screwups. The Governor of La wouldn't even order an evacuation of NO until President Bush threatened to declare martial law to get her to do it.

And since all of you know we will have another hurricane sometime why don't you prepare for it yourselves instead of acting like babies and waiting for the government to do it for you?

daMoFo
June 19, 2007 1:38 a.m.

This man was not in charge of Katrina when it happened. He took someone else's place weeks after Katrina hit. At least know what you're speaking of when criticizing someonw. No one could have helped Katrina victims cause the dumb mayor didn't take the storm seriously until it was too late. He should have had those people evacutated days before Katrina hit. He shoould have stood up to government officials and not let the levees get in such bad shape. He should have done a lot of things instead of running and hiding in a safe place, leaving everyone to figure it out. I never know why that clown didn't get kicked out of government.

ladyblue
June 18, 2007 7:54 p.m.

i look at this guy with disgust and think about my hard earned tax dollars paying his high salary for "NOTHING" DO YOU FEEL SAFE WITH THIS GUY AT THE HELM?

tarholessuck
June 18, 2007 7:52 p.m.

After living in NC just about all my life you get to know when to worry and how to prepare. Most of the time its a waste, that is if you dont know to properly monitor the storm. Its always good to have a plan and not wait to the day of the storm to do something but being prepared for it as soon as the season hits is a little crazy. The main thing is use common sense.

At Work
June 18, 2007 7:29 p.m.

I work in emergency preparedness for our County. In the case of a catastrophe people are advised to have at least 3 days of supplies to sustain them until government can get to them. That has been the rule....now they are telling us to have at least 5 days. It is easy to condemn Chartoff and government unless you have been there, done that. When you have you will have the right to complain.

FlSunshine
June 18, 2007 5:41 p.m.