Simple fact is the mayor and governor need to declare a state of emergency, before the president can declare a state of emergency at the federal level. To do this prematurely would violate the states sovereignty.
This doesn't make a bit of difference to the poor shmoe waiting for help to come. But legally and politically certain things must happen before the president can act.
The case of LA, even at the late hour he acted, Bush ursurped some of Gov. Blanco's authority. I'm sure there will be some fall out over that.
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