Francie, I know what you mean about the horrible losses from Katrina, my son & his wife had to rebuild and they did not have homeowners, even the people in their neighborhood who did were denied claims as it was flood waters and floods were not covered by their policies. So I know exactly what you went thru with your families who lost it all literally!!!

Just remember stay hopeful it'll not be as bad as Katrina was!

As I understand it Ky...it is to give local arthorities to be able to evacuate or other emergency action without having to wait for that decleration after the fact. It is always a good idea to have emergency personel ready to take action before than after with so much confusion.If more people are prepared in case something does happen maybe there will be less confusion.This gives the emegency people the ability to work quicker.As to having "egg on our Govenors face " I think not. Better to have a Govenor that is willing to do the right thing and try to prepare.

I dont think so, Francie.

Declaring a disaster area has to do with money, not preparedness. It sets you up for federal aid, and, in some states, releases state funds that were set aside for that purpose.

You do not have to declare a disaster in order to take the necessary preparedness steps, such as putting the national guard on alert; having local emergency services on ready stand-by, and having the state-police prepared to implement evacuation orders.

Here's how the two come together. If you declare a disaster and the feds provide aid, you then have money to help pay low- and no-interest loans to needy citizens; to cover the overtime costs incurred by police, fire, and other emergency services; pay for the removal of downed trees etc.

I understand why everyone along the Gulf Coast is running scared. But declaring a disaster ahead of time is like the boy crying wolf. Pretty soon, nobody listens.

And the reason I wish the Mississippi governer the same fate as the Florida chief executive is precisely because no disaster occured. That's what we're all hoping for.

Well Ky...you are intitled to your opinion...as well as we Mississipians are. If you lived here maybe you would not be so judgemental.And it is not all about Money.

End of discussion on my part