When looking at what happens during a natural disator, such as Hurricane Katrina, the government is supposed to spring into action, each fufilling its duties so that the situation can be handled properly. The local government needs to begin by making sure forms of transportation are on stand-by during times of crisis. Also, they are tasked with the responsibility of making sure shelters remained well-stocked during emergincies. The states job is to work with evacuation and help by acting as the go between for the cities themselves, and the cities to the federal government. The Governers job is based around the need for assesment. What do we have, what do we need, and where do we need it. The last step is the federal government. The Feds job is to assist the state and local communities by filling in gaps, wether it be food and water or sheer manpower, where needed.
In the case of Hurricane Katrina, the local, state and federal governemt did nothing but play one of the US histories biggest "Blame Game." The local government of New Orleans failed in its job to prepare buses for a mass evacuation. But instead of talking about that, the mayor decided to push the blame to the state, for not having sufficent plans for this, and for not calling in FEMA. The state then took the blame and redistributed it to both the state and local offices. The Governer said that FEMA and the federal government both did not respond quick enough to save the 900 lost lives. Lastly, the Federal Government claims that the state did not know what is was doing. They claim they were ready to roll, but had no idea what was needed, and where to send it.
The lack of communication between the three levels may or may not have been the cause for the lives lost in 2005. But when do know that the miscomunication was surely not of any help to the matter.