We first got wind of more problems with FEMA's Gulf Coast reconstruction effort from the office of Lousiana Senator Mary Landrieu. What her people told us was depressingly familiar -- that beset by mistakes and indecision, FEMA was trying to back out of commitments it had made to relocate some flood-damaged schools to higher ground.
When we got down to Iberia and Vermillion parishes, about two hours west of New Orleans in bayou country, we got an earful from local school officials.
Turns out FEMA had spent the last year assuring them that they'd get new schools, then turned around and took it back. Apparently the schools weren't damaged enough to satisfy one of FEMA's rules. Rather than relocate, they'd have to rebuild in the flood zones.
The problem is at least one district, taking FEMA's original promise at face value, had already bought some land. Another district was well into the planning stages when FEMA put the brakes on.
As you can see by our report, the locals weren't about to let FEMA off the hook, and neither was Landrieu. The upshot -- FEMA is now looking for ways to make good, and those kids, who have been basically camping out in foster schools for a year, may end up wth their new schools after all.
Take a look at our report (viewable above), and if you know of any other instances where FEMA is trying to pull out of commitments made, let us know. We'd also love to get your tips for other "Keeping them honest" stories we should chase ... on any subject. We'll check them out.
