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In Crisis, Trailers A Possibility

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The Associated Press

Published: June 3, 2008

WASHINGTON - The government may house disaster victims in trailers again this hurricane season as a last resort, despite promises never to use them again because of high levels of formaldehyde found in trailers used after the Hurricane Katrina catastrophe.

Only the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency can approve the use of such trailers, and they must meet the agency's requirement for minimal levels of formaldehyde, according to a draft of the agency's five-page 2008 hurricane-season plan, obtained by The Associated Press. Also, disaster victims could stay in the trailers for only six months.

Hurricane season started Sunday and will last through November. Forecasters predict the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season will be busier than average, with a good chance of six to nine hurricanes forming, including two to five major storms.
FEMA Director R. David Paulison has said there will be no more trailers while he is in office, but his deputy says there can be no such guarantee should there be another catastrophic disaster.

"We're putting our head in the sand," deputy administrator Harvey Johnson said Monday. "If we had a Katrina again, there's probably no way we could respond ... without having to deploy all available options, which will include travel trailers."

The 2008 hurricane disaster housing plan also emphasizes a need for FEMA to try to immediately make damaged homes habitable until more permanent repairs can be done.

If a home is damaged or destroyed, FEMA will provide financial assistance, and the agency will work with community groups to find available rental properties.

Some displaced victims could be eligible for temporary hotel and motel funding assistance.

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