The GAO released correspondance sent to Joe Lieberman and Susan Collins of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. It is as update of briefings on Rebuilding Efforts in the Gulf Coast that were given to staff and meant to assist in the committee’s oversight responsibilities. (Yeah I’m still waiting for some of that from Joe)

At any rate there is nothing really new here. They once again make this very important point…

While the federal government has provided billions of dollars in assistance to the Gulf Coast, a substantial portion of this aid was directed to short-term needs, leaving a smaller portion for long-term rebuilding.

They lay out the nagging questions still hanging there awaiting answers…How much is rebuilding going to cost, how much cost will the feds bear and are current funding delivery mechanisms effective.

What was interesting in the correspondance was the graphic below which compares the impact in terms of casualties, cost of damage, homes destroyed, homes damaged, people evacuated and displaced for Hurricanes Camille, Andrew and Katrina (notice GAO refers to Katrina AND NOLA levee breaks–good one).

Just look at this.(can click on image for better view) Camille is the black spot, Andrew is the striped area and Katrina/NOLA levee breaks is the large grey area. There’s some perspective…