September 17, 2008 5:40 a.m. EST
Houston, TX (AHN) - To address complaints of residents related to distribution of relief goods, Houston Mayor Bill White and Harris County Judge Ed Emmett directly intervened in the Federal Emergency Management Agency distribution method. The two set up 26 new distribution sites to appease residents who fall in line for hours only to return home empty-handed.
The problem was a disconnect between supplies and demand. White observed distribution sites running out of relief goods as early as 10:30 a.m., while 200 trucks full of supplies were at a parking lot in Reliant Stadium. There were also delays in the arrival of some FEMA trucks.
To solve the problem, the two officials shut down some distribution sites and opened new ones. "Out job we have is to fight for the people we work for and we never forget that... There's a bunch of ice in the parking lot over in Reliant, and there's places to distribute it, and there's people in lines, then somebody screwed up. And we sorted it out," White explained to Houston Chronicle.
Aside from food and drinks, the state is suffering from ice shortage. White said he will try to get more ice-making machines to help residents keep their food from spoiling as many areas are still without electricity.
More:
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7012324793