August 28, 2005, 10:00am EST
WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) - Appearing on CNN this morning, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and FEMA Head Michael Brown outlined the current alert status for the expected impact of Hurricane Katrina.
"National Guard Troops from Louisiana, Mississippi, and four other neighboring states have been mobilized," said Sec. Chertoff. "Units are taking up positions just outside the expected impact zone so that they can get into the affected areas immediately." He added that briefings for President Bush, who returned to the capital yesterday in anticipation of the crisis, were continuing twice a day.
FEMA Head Brown said, "Given that the National Weather Service and FEMA models predict that impact on New Orleans may be catastrophic, and that mobility may be severely affected, we have contacted several private firms and arranged for additional helicoptors to be available for rescue and for survivor support." Brown added that two hospital ships were currently heading down the east coast in order to be near the impact zone as soon after the hurricane as possible.
Both men acknowledged that it was possible that this level of preparedness might not be necessary, as Katrina could weaken or change course. However, Chertoff stated, "we cannot afford to gamble."