I think DSeagull hit the nail on the head, misappropriations of the funds. Where there is money, there is corruption. That's why we need to elect strong leaders, who have the ambition to go after those who are bilking the system.
So despite any cataclysmic damage done by the weather, you can't get any federal funds unless you call a state of emergency? And if you do call a state of emergency with little or no damage you get federal funding?
Doesn't matter. People who need to organize, coordinate and communicate for an event do not need a State of Emergency. We have seen a State of Emergency declared for the entire state when only 1 or 2 counties may be affected.
You don't need a state of emergency to communicate and coordinate. Declaring a SOE has become too commonplace, and only de-emphasizes a potentially dangerous situation.
Absolutely. The timing is awful. I understand the magnitude, intensity, winds, and type of precipitation, but why waffling with the onset of precipitation 72 hours out?
The problem with trying to predict weather related catastrophes, is that it is continually being done. This gives fuel to the opposition and make the global temperature side look foolish.
An old saying, "Live by the LFM, die by the LFM". Now we have multiple models, but it comes down to the forecaster to judge what will actually occur based on experience. Easier said than done.