Mr. Paulison, were you actually in Picher, Oklahoma? From all accounts nobody is planning on rebuilding on this Superfund site. Residents are in one of the most polluted areas in the country. From the Wash Post "The tornado struck the heart of a federal Superfund site, where a government buyout of homes is under way in an area beset with mine collapses, open shafts, acid water that stains Tar Creek orange and mountains of lead-contaminated waste. Local children have tested with dangerous levels of lead in their blood."
It makes me sad to read this trite, canned response to the disaster. You could insert any location and say the same thing. What do you do when you go visit a site? Do you actually interact with the victims? Does somebody tell you their story? Or do you just punch your ticket and move on?
Well, another made up story from FEMA. As expected.
I hope the relocation help for Picher tornado survivors won't consign them to existing homes which may be no more tornado-resistant than those destroyed. I can't here 'promote a product,' but can(?) say there is a type of reinforced-concrete-with-insulation construction available, whose developer has a floor plan for a building which could quickly house survivors who lost everything and have shortfall problems. It's highly tornado-resistant. There are many companies involved with reinforced-concrete-with-insulation construction for homes, which does not necessarily replace the FEMA "safe room" but are very protective. I hope I'm allowed to suggest this narrowing of their search for safety, in the interest of speedy communication.
May 14, 2008 8:29 AM
Today, Secretary Chertoff and I traveled to Picher, Okla. and Seneca, Mo. to asses the damage caused by the recent storms. I was struck by the severity of damage to the area. We would like to offer our condolences to those who lost loved ones.
In the aftermath of the storms FEMA was on the ground within hours and are on site to support local emergency managers and officials. We will continue to support the authorities on the ground.
The residents of Picher and Seneca have strong leadership from their local and state leaders. These leaders have spoken to the President as well as met with myself and Secretary Chertoff. They will receive support as requested to recover.
Bad weather continues to move through the Midwest, and I urge all residents in area to listen to the local authorities and head all warnings. Thankfully, most of the residents in the area were able to seek shelter and escape injury from the tornadoes.
From what we saw today the resiliency and spirit of the people remains strong. The residents of these two towns are committed to rebuilding and getting life back to normal. FEMA will continue to be there to support the local and state officials as needed as they continue the recovery effort.
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Close this window Jump to comment formMr. Paulison, were you actually in Picher, Oklahoma? From all accounts nobody is planning on rebuilding on this Superfund site. Residents are in one of the most polluted areas in the country. From the Wash Post "The tornado struck the heart of a federal Superfund site, where a government buyout of homes is under way in an area beset with mine collapses, open shafts, acid water that stains Tar Creek orange and mountains of lead-contaminated waste. Local children have tested with dangerous levels of lead in their blood."
It makes me sad to read this trite, canned response to the disaster. You could insert any location and say the same thing. What do you do when you go visit a site? Do you actually interact with the victims? Does somebody tell you their story? Or do you just punch your ticket and move on?
Well, another made up story from FEMA. As expected.
May 13, 2008 7:39 PM
I hope the relocation help for Picher tornado survivors won't consign them to existing homes which may be no more tornado-resistant than those destroyed. I can't here 'promote a product,' but can(?) say there is a type of reinforced-concrete-with-insulation construction available, whose developer has a floor plan for a building which could quickly house survivors who lost everything and have shortfall problems. It's highly tornado-resistant. There are many companies involved with reinforced-concrete-with-insulation construction for homes, which does not necessarily replace the FEMA "safe room" but are very protective. I hope I'm allowed to suggest this narrowing of their search for safety, in the interest of speedy communication.
May 14, 2008 8:29 AM