This book is the hearing that took place on September 14th 2005 before the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on the recovery efforts (or lack thereof) from Hurricane Katrina. According to the Opening Statement by Chairman Collins, the hearing asks the hard questions about the adequacy of planning efforts for this long-predicted natural disaster. They explore the coordination among local, State and Federal emergency management officials before and after the hurricane’s landfall. They then critically examine the legal structures and authorities that define who is in charge of assets that must be brought to bear in such a catastrophic event. As he states we would have expected a sharp, crisp response to this terrible tragedy. Instead, we witness a sluggish initial response. This book examines the next phrase that took place from recovering from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the steps that were and were not taken.