By now it is well documented how horribly our government handled Hurricane Katrina. FEMA's delayed response in rescue and relief was embarrassing for this country and devastating for the residents of the New Orleans. FEMA knew such events could take place in New Orleans, and in fact had devised some sort of plan to prepare themselves to aid such an event all the way back in 2001! Clearly their plan failed. FEMA knew of 3 catastrophes that could strike the United States: a terrorist attack on New York City, a large earthquake in San Francisco, and a hurricane striking New Orleans. The New York Times reported that FEMA believed Hurricane Katrina could be the deadliest of the all, yet they clearly did not prepare themselves properly for such an event.

There are countless stories on how FEMA failed the people of New Orleans, one could go on forever bashing their incompetency. One small example is one that also relates to Zeitoun and is still effecting peoples lives today. Though it is only a brief snippet in the whole debacle Zeitoun went through I think its still worth mentioning. FEMA offered and delivered the Zeitoun's a free trailer for which to live, or use however they would like. Yet, they were virtually given a gigantic trailer to stare at as it was not set up properly and were issued no keys to enter the 'home'. After 14 months of countless phone calls trying to resolve the issue, Kathy wrote a story to a local paper and the trailer was removed immediately, unused.

That story seems almost meaningless when you take into account the entire situation Zeitoun and his family went through; the reason I use it is because it is something that has come in the news recently. FEMA has issued the last 424 tenants of these trailers to be out of them by the end of April. I didn't know there was timeline for recovery... Unlike the Zeitoun's, some families in New Orleans and the surrounding areas have not completely rebuilt their lives or homes. The trailers are the only home these people have for the time being. Yes, it has been 5 years since this disaster but it may take some longer to rebuild than others. FEMA is stating that they will fine (or charge) anyone not out of the trailer by the scheduled date $800 a month. In fact, the city of New Orleans has taken a similar policy, saying they will charge the remaining trailers in their city $500 a day. Some families can't afford to rebuild and move out during this timeline and now they are threatening to charge them money? Unbelievable. I could understand if these families were free loading, and heck maybe some are, but we are not that far removed from Hurricane Katrina. Yes, some of positive has come to New Orleans since: a Super Bowl title and still being one of the hottest tourist destinations. Some families have not fully recovered from this event and should not be rushed to do so.