While thousands of New Orleans residents suffered and hundreds died, FEMA director Michael Brown was concerned with his attire and finding a dog sitter.
Marty Bahamonde, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s only employee in New Orleans when Katrina struck Aug. 29, said he e-mailed Brown on Aug. 31, “Sir, I know that you know the situation is past critical … many will die.”
Brown replied, “Thanks for the update. Anything specific I need to do or tweak?”
An e-mail offering critical medical equipment got no response for four days, USA TODAY reported.
E-mails sent in the critical days after Katrina hit included:
· Aug. 29, 7:19 a.m., Cindy Taylor, FEMA deputy director of public affairs to Brown, about his shirt as he appeared on NBC’s Today: “My eyes must certainly be deceiving me. You look fabulous — and I’m not talking the makeup.”
· Brown, 7:52 a.m.: “I got it at Nordsstroms … Are you proud of me? Can I quit now? Can I go home?”
· Aug. 30, 10:52 p.m. Brown to assistant Tillie James: “Do you know of anyone who dog-sits?”