Shades of Katrina: A frustrated Sam Olens wonders if Washington knows how badly metro Atlanta is hurting
Updated at 1:45 p.m. Thursday: President Barack Obama has signed a disaster declaration for Cobb, Douglas, Paulding and Cherokee counties.
Original post:
A frustrated Cobb County Commission Chairman Sam Olens said Thursday that, after a morning conversation with the chief of staff to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, that he’s not sure that Washington is aware of the extent of damage caused by days of flooding in metro Atlanta.
Olens said the entire region growing impatient waiting for President Barack Obama to sign a declaration of emergency that would unleash federal resources for the area.
“It’s fair to say that we’re very frustrated. The storm started Sunday, with the real wrath Monday, and we frankly were thinking the presidential order would be signed Tuesday night,” Olens said. “Yesterday we were told that Cobb County had sufficient damage to merit the declaration – but the bureaucratic process seems to take too much time, while people are hurting.”
Olens said he had a “cordial” and “productive” conversation with Napolitano’s chief of staff, Jan Lescher. But he’s not sure that news of metro Atlanta’s plight is getting through.
“When I discussed today the fact that Douglas and Paulding [counties] had boil advisories for days, and that Cobb is assisting Douglas today with both water buffaloes and bottled water – I was clearly given the impression that they were not aware of the full extent of the damage,” Olens said.
The Republican commission chairman said Lescher told him that Homeland Security had sent a draft of the declaration to the White House. Obama’s signature is expected today.
Olens also said that Vice President Joe Biden may arrive in Atlanta on Friday to tour the area, but that the trip is not certain. “To the extent that he wanted to fly in to see the damage, I wish he would have done it two days ago, when the water was still over the second floor of people’s houses, rather than now – when Sweetwater Creek has subsided,” Olens said.
Olens said the unusual nature of the flood merits quicker attention from Washington. “This was not a 100 or 200-year rain incident. This was an historic flood,” he said. “You have folks that have lost everything. The majority of the damage is not in flood plain areas. It’s in areas that never before witnessed the flooding. By definition, these folks have no option. They don’t have flood insurance, they’re homeowners policies are not going to cover flooding. I’d like to have some clear direction on how we move forward.”
Summed up Olens: “Cobb’s a big county. Cobb has a lot of resources. But Douglas and Paulding – they needed this help days ago.”
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152 comments Add your comment
Josey and the Kittycats
September 24th, 2009
1:24 pm
We all know what you meant Cuddy.
eolufemi
September 24th, 2009
1:26 pm
what happened to lifting yourselves up by your bootstraps?
thought you didn’t need the federal government…
repubs are hypocrites….
tom
September 24th, 2009
1:26 pm
I think in New Orlean’s case, that anyone who failed to adhere to a hurricane evacuation warning, and remained in a city that was built below sea-level, should be fined. Taxpayors risked their lives to send in help to somone who should have fled. Those people should be fined who didn’t evacuate. There will always be poor, and less smart people..it’s a fact of life, but tax payers should not have to pay for them.
Cutty
September 24th, 2009
1:27 pm
@ JW- Chris @ 1:19 just made my case.
Ron
September 24th, 2009
1:27 pm
Who cares? Just don’t live in an area that is in high risk of flooding. If you do, and don’t have flood insurance, it’s your own darn fault!
Cutty
September 24th, 2009
1:28 pm
Tom, there are plenty of people who knew they lived in a flood zone here that opted not to get flood insurance. Call it both ways.
Charlie
September 24th, 2009
1:28 pm
Ever think about how this state voted? Go ask your Senators for help!
Chris
September 24th, 2009
1:28 pm
Good Cutty. And I meant what I said. New Orleans is a worse city then Atlanta! Any thug filled city is a mess as we all know.
Josey and the Kittycats
September 24th, 2009
1:28 pm
Lewis – I understand the point you are trying to make, but OBAMA himself called himself BLACK on Letterman the other night. Search it. Look for yourself. Libs are always running around yelling that he’s half white! Oh he’s got white blood in him! Well guess what? Obama calls himself BLACK AND he NEVER once has said that he was WHITE.
Rich
September 24th, 2009
1:29 pm
It is small compared to Katrina, but the government inaction is the same. It does not matter who the President is. Well it does to the media.
Cobb
September 24th, 2009
1:29 pm
One big difference… at least we didn’t build on the coase BELOW SEA LEVEL! That has to be one of the dumbest ideas in the history of the world.
Chef montuer
September 24th, 2009
1:30 pm
That’s all there is in NOLA poor and less smart people. All the smart ones left and aint goin back!
Josey and the Kittycats
September 24th, 2009
1:31 pm
Cutty you nitwit, if they bought in a flood zone, they were mandated to buy FLOOD insurance.
Josey and the Kittycats
September 24th, 2009
1:32 pm
Cutty has been in the Cutty Sark all day long.
Rich
September 24th, 2009
1:33 pm
Most people in flood plains are required to have flood insurance by mortgage companies and do not try to say they have no mortgage.
Chris
September 24th, 2009
1:33 pm
Conservatives will cut their nose to spite their face. It’s ok to ask for help. I think a lot of white conservatives just think it’s beneath them to ask the gov. for help, especially when a black man is the face of the gov.
Lewis
September 24th, 2009
1:35 pm
He is half white. That’s a scientific fact. Regardless of whether I call my son (or Obama) black, white, half-white, whatever… the scientific fact is that he’s half white and half black. Facts and science are almost without dispute. And yes, I’m aware of the Letterman episode. Obama’s statement came in response to Letterman’s question – as I understand.
So, I’m not sure if you’re indicating that Obama is a racist or not. I highly doubt it. Are you aware that Mr. Obama was closer to his white family growing up? My understanding is that he was closer to his white mother more so than black family. Perhaps I’m wrong on this?
DAVID
September 24th, 2009
1:35 pm
Hey…there are plenty of liberal democrats in Cobb….who voted for the Messiah…The same class of black folks who live in N.O.
Nailed it
September 24th, 2009
1:35 pm
Easy as Pie said:
This isn’t particularly hard.
The federal government is supposed to assist in this kind of disaster – the entire purpose of the federal government is to provide assistance in times of war, acts of “God”, etc.
Healthcare, TARP, stimulus are not federal responsibilities. A Republican asking the federal government to stop focusing on its non-constitutional duties (healthcare, BCS football and baseball hearings, etc.) and focus on its constitutional duties is neither hypocritical or ironic.
DeaconPeach
September 24th, 2009
1:35 pm
South Cobb County is the farthest thing from a Republican stronghold on the north side of Atlanta. I know this from being one of the few non-Democrats in the Clarkdale/Austell/Powder Springs precincts. Face it, it was much more important for Obama to appear on Letterman than to actually do his job. And if the worst flooding had happened in Dekalb County, Obama, Biden, & Nancy Pelosi would be camped out here handing out federal funds with both hands.
Mark
September 24th, 2009
1:35 pm
I thought Georgians would be above all this and help each other. Politics, and those who practice it suck…
emack06
September 24th, 2009
1:36 pm
This flooding in now way compares to the devistation of Katrina. Anyone who would suggest such a thing is being disingenuous and asinine. President Obama has already pledge Federal assistance. And now that level of assistances is now being assess.
Josey and the Kittycats
September 24th, 2009
1:36 pm
It’s apparent that you are a racist Chris.
Not at all Surprised
September 24th, 2009
1:36 pm
Where’s the White House on this? Probably, trying to figure out how they’re going to pay for it! $700 Billion in Stimulus money to bail out the banks, and 3 million jobs that were SUPPOSED to be created, the FHA, FDIC , and the FED broke. But, our presdient, the technology presdient, doesn’t know about the extent of the flooding in Atlanta?
I say BS. It’s pay back time Atlanta, and for Georgia, for not voting in the election for this administration!
DeaconPeach
September 24th, 2009
1:37 pm
And for the record Josey & Rich, etc., most of the areas hit by the floodwaters are NOT in flood plains, therefore the mortgage companies did not require flood insurance.
Jon
September 24th, 2009
1:37 pm
Blame Bush. While we are at it, we can blame Bush for the drought we had, the yearly wildfires in California, the wildfire in Greece earlier this year. We can also blame him for Bill Clinton messing around with a secretary, Uwe Boll for making terrible video game films.
We can also blame him for Willie Martinez.
Lewis
September 24th, 2009
1:38 pm
In respect to the flood zone. Yes, if you purchase a home, the mortgage company will check to determine if you are in a flood zone. My first home was in Kissimmee, FL in a large subdivision – turned little town. Half the subdivision was in a determined flood zone and half weren’t. Even though the mortgage company checked and “made a determination” that I was not in a flood zone, I paid the annual $250 anyway. It’s minor compared to the $10,000 + that damage can run you.
Marc
September 24th, 2009
1:39 pm
Cutty Bush moved faster than Obama has. Katrina was on Sunday by the time Nagan and Blanco figured out they needed the Feds Monday Bush responded on Tuesday. Obama had to be inconvenienced on Monday from his letting everyone at the U.N. that he is the Chosen One and it’s been three days since then.
KCChiefinATL
September 24th, 2009
1:41 pm
“Barn raising days”????? Ummmm, what?
Ok, everyone….time to quit comparing this to New Orleans and Katrina. It’s not the same. Sorry, it’s just not. Flash flooding is called flash for a reason. It happens very, very fast! Was there warning this was going to happen? No, not really!! Thus the reason it’s called FLASH! So, is this like New Orleans? Nope. We don’t have people, still days later sitting on roof tops waiting for help. We don’t have a dome full of people who can’t get out and have no water or food. So, again, not like New Orleans!
We have had devastation and death. Very difficult to deal with. I can’t imagine what those parents are going through….losing their 2 year old! My heart goes out to them. Will the city receive help? Yes, it will. Will these people replace their “stuff”? Yes, they will. Should they all be grateful that they have their lives, family, pets, and friends? YOU BET! And we should remember the 9 unfortunate souls that have been lost; guaranteed those family and friends don’t care about the “stuff” that was lost.
Criticize all you want, but remember the irony now of the “wheres my money, damn it”.
Josey and the Kittycats
September 24th, 2009
1:42 pm
Lewis, I agree on your points. Your facts are correct… it’s just that Obama “chooses” to be black. I’m not saying that in a bad way. He’s got to do, what he’s got to do. I’m sure a person identifies with a specific culture for obvious reasons. Obama has chosen his. My point is the general public that insists that the guy is half – white. Technically, physically correct – but it doesn’t mean a hill of beans if the person you are talking about has decided culturaly that he is something else.
B-fan
September 24th, 2009
1:43 pm
Why aren’t those Cobb Republicans screaming about the tenth amendment and socialism now?
I have an idea for them, go dump tea in the flood water.
G
September 24th, 2009
1:43 pm
What’s all the commotion about? Republicans, you loathe the meddlesome government.
Debdoes
September 24th, 2009
1:43 pm
Since when does ‘our Government’ do anything quick! This year or 8 years ago under GWB….guys, it’s politics….it’s not Obama, it’s the system.
Lewis
September 24th, 2009
1:44 pm
Marc: So… are you saying that the US President should not speak at the UN when the meeting is in his own country? Has Sonny Perdue requested a specific dollar amount or made specific requests? My understanding is that (at least in Gwinnett) Georgia officials are making assessments so that they know what to ask for from the federal government.
emack06
September 24th, 2009
1:44 pm
Josey and the Kittycats…laugh if you want, but you know its true. TARP and the stimulus package help to pull this nation back from an ecomonic meltdown. During the pre-Obama adminstation, we saw volital shifts in the stock market. The stock market has since stablized after “Federal Gov. interference”, lay-off are showing signs of slowing and the ecomony is showing signs of recovering. Only an idiot would refute that a stablize economy does not promote the general welfare of its citizens who partake in that economy.
Josey and the Kittycats
September 24th, 2009
1:44 pm
DeaconPeach – I already knew that. What’s your point?
use2livethere
September 24th, 2009
1:44 pm
To Josey&The p-cats: PRESIDENT O-B-A-M-A considers himself a member of the black population because he has more that 1/10th of 1% black blood in him. Most black or AA people know that. Throughout the presidential race he was referred to as “black” or “AA”. Anyway, what does that have to do with federal aid to the flood ravaged areas of metro-Atlanta. We all know what good ole FEMA did for the gulf coast 4 years ago.
Daedalus
September 24th, 2009
1:44 pm
Does this mean that Sam Olens believes that Obama is actually President of the United States?
You can’t have it both ways.
If Olens can’t handle the job of county commish, maybe he needs to find something else to do. And being Attorney General isn’t it.
rafael
September 24th, 2009
1:45 pm
And here I thought the poor management of Katrina was all the republican’s fault. Where are the democrats in helping GA. Is it cause most of the damaged happened to whites? Just asking. Why is the media not covering how poorly the current administration is handling this?
Janice
September 24th, 2009
1:45 pm
Enter your comments here
Perdue needs to be pushing DC, not the Cobb County Commissioner, and yes, someone should have been here touring damaged areas 2 days ago when waters hadn’t started to receed. I know, we’ve got lame-duck republician govenor and a democrat pres. It’s going to be ugly. I have a feeling we’ll be SOL on this one. State is broke and government only seems to want to assist banks and large companies, eventhough it’s our taxes that are paying for it.
Debdoes
September 24th, 2009
1:46 pm
Amen, amen, amen! I am laughing reading all of this! Didn’t vote him, don’t want help and now why is ‘our government’ taking so long to help us. Maybe now you get it! Wake up Georgia.
Josey and the Kittycats
September 24th, 2009
1:47 pm
emack06
September 24th, 2009
1:44 pm
Baaaaaa!
Josey and the Kittycats
September 24th, 2009
1:49 pm
use2livethere – Yes, I agree. I guess you would have to go back through the posts to follow the conversation as to how we got to this point.
Josey and the Kittycats
September 24th, 2009
1:51 pm
Hey DEBdoesDouglasville – Why would you think that all the people asking for assistance are people that did not vote for him?
Yankee
September 24th, 2009
1:51 pm
President Obama to JAW-JAW Gov. Perdue request for flood relief “What Flood ? —-> YOU LIE ! JAW-JAW let me repeat ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES. You MORONS voted for those IDIOTS McCain/Palin and the GOP ticket of BIRTHERS, TEA-BAGGERS , NAZI-SIGN POSTING ON A CONGRESSMAN OFFICE AND HEALTH-SCARERS what do you expect the President to now do, DROP whatever he is doing and HELP “Y’ALL” out? . I say President Obama wait until late OCTOBER sometime to even consider helping. Now go get one of those IDIOT “Y”ALL” leader either FAT LIMBA, or SEAN INSANNITY to be your KANYE WEST and say “PRESIDENT OBAMA DON’T CARE ABOUT WHITE PEOPLE”
Keep it Real!
September 24th, 2009
1:51 pm
These comments are quite interesting! I am sure some of you just post to vent because in your day to day lives you are unhappy! If you are unhappy make changes so you do not carry this venom around other people!
We all should help those who are in need that are in our area! Why are we complaining about the Government as if they are the savior of mankind!
Plus start reading what really happened in this crisis! Capitolism is based upon bank lending to businesses and consumers! When the banker got greedy now you see what happens a financial collapse of our Capitolistic society!
While we continue to debate about politicians ask the companies who have laid off thousands of workers why is that o.k. when you made major profits for 5 consecutive years and now I am going to get rid of thousands of workers after a bad quarter!
TOO MUCH GREED IN THIS WORLD!
Josey and the Kittycats
September 24th, 2009
1:52 pm
Yankee = Puubic Opshun.
Lewis
September 24th, 2009
1:54 pm
You know… I’ve done my fair share of ranting on here. Here goes another thing: Jeb Bush (former governor of Florida) had it right. For the first 72 hours, people will have to depend on themselves, their resources, their neighbors, etc. – not government.
Natural disasters do some good things – They make people wake up and smell the coffee. Sometimes over development, maintenance of levees, drainage systems, etc. actually make a difference. In addition, it creates a level playing field in many ways. I can recall when Hurricane Charlie hit Florida. It didn’t matter your race, socioeconomic status, or anything. No one had electricity, gas, or many of the creature comforts that we have every day. We were all equal. As a result, we are all a little friendlier and more neighborly. We weren’t throwing dirt back and forth.
Bill
September 24th, 2009
1:55 pm
Keep in mind, that the citizens of New Orleans are still waiting. George Bush, didn’t have clue, Barrack Obama knows what to do.
Josey and the Kittycats
September 24th, 2009
1:58 pm
What are they waiting for Bill? And if they are waiting for something, why hasn’t Obama taken care of it. I mean shoot, he’s been in office for how many months now?