Bush visits post-tornado Tennessee
LAFAYETTE, Tenn. (AP) - February 8, 2008 "There's no doubt in my mind this community will come back
better than before," Bush said in the poor tobacco-farming area
near the Kentucky border. "Macon County people are down-to-earth,
hardworking, God-fearing people. They're just getting a little help
and will come back stronger."
Even before Bush landed, he declared major disasters in
Tennessee and Arkansas, a move that opens the spigot of federal
funding to cover some costs, shared with local governments, for
debris removal and protective measures and to help individuals.
Sensitive to criticism it was ignoring other states hit by the
storms, the White House said these were the only two states that
had so far asked for help.
A barrage of tornadoes swept through those five Southern states
on Tuesday, and the death count is nearly 60 so far, even as search
operations continue. Macon County took the heaviest toll. A 14th
death in the county was reported Thursday.
Bush began his visit to the disaster zone the way he usually
does: by getting a look at the damage from his helicopter, in this
case on his way in from Nashville. He was traveling with members of
Congress from Tennessee - both senators and three local congressmen
- but with a pared-down White House staff to keep his usually large
footprint as small as possible.
As Bush's helicopter flew low over the hills of sparsely
populated north central Tennessee, he saw snapped trees and
remnants of buildings strewn across fields as if they had been
dragged by the storm. The twisters' impact was random. Intact
structures and destroyed ones were often just feet apart.
Bush said it was unfortunate that he had to visit the state
under these circumstances.
"But nonetheless, the mission is to find out what we can do to
help," he said.
The president received a briefing on the damage at a local fire
department from a range of officials, including Gov. Phil Bredesen,
a Democrat, the heads of the state National Guard and Lafayette
Mayor Bill Wells. A coordinating officer from the regional FEMA
office, Gracia Szczech, told Bush about the federal resources that
have been committed to the area.
Her assessment was backed up by James Bassham, the director of
the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, who said he had nothing
but praise for his federal counterparts. Bassham said it was
remarkable that more lives weren't lost, as 31 touchdowns were
recorded. He credited early warnings from the National Weather
Service and the state.
"People have got to understand here in the region that a lot of
folks around America care for them now," Bush said. "And I'm here
to listen, to determine - you know, to make sure - that the federal
response is compassionate and effective."
Afterward, Bush was going to a neighborhood to get an
on-the-ground look at the destruction.
In all, he was spending about 2 1/2 hours in the disaster zone.
But it was notable that he sped to the region, arriving for a
firsthand view less than three days after the tornadoes roared
through.
Disasters have struck often in Bush's presidency, allowing him
to display prowess in some but not all - most notably Hurricane
Katrina in 2005. His and his administration's response in the
immediate aftermath of that massive storm - and since - has
persistently been criticized for leaving Gulf Coast residents and
towns, particularly those in New Orleans, without the help they
need. Bush has labored since to respond quickly, decisively and
compassionately when disasters hit, but the impression of him cast
in Katrina's devastation has never been erased and is likely to
linger as part of his presidential legacy.
White House spokesman Scott Stanzel said the government has
learned many lessons since Katrina, and is much better now at not
only answering locals' needs in times of emergency, but
anticipating them. FEMA assets were in the tornado-struck region as
early as Tuesday night, he said.
"States and localities have also given a lot of thought to the
issue over the years and have improved their response as well," he
said.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)