Day: June 16, 2008

Anita Lee files update on Lisanby v USAA (Updated)

According to Anita Lee’s brief update in the Sun Herald, opening arguments began this afternoon in Linsanby v USAA, the first Katrina case to go to trial in Jackson County, Mississippi.

An attorney for USAA policyholders James W. and Gladys Lisanby said the insurance company “abandoned” them by refusing to cover all the wind damage to their waterfront home.

An attorney for USAA told the jury that evidence including video footage shot during the storm would clearly show that water destroyed the first floor of the Lisanby’s home and USAA covered $45,000 in wind damage to the second floor.

After opening statements, court resumed with testimony from a hurricane hunter, a witness for the Lisanbys.

We’ll update this post as additional information becomes available – keep checking.

Update Anita Lee filed this story for the print edition of today’s Sun Herald: Continue reading “Anita Lee files update on Lisanby v USAA (Updated)”

A Bit More on the FEMA Ice Controversy

Time is short for me this week so I’m iffy on posting. To spread things out a bit I held onto this story from the Mississippi Press where MEMA director Mike Womack goes on the record about FEMA’s exit from the Ice business. He makes an excellent point why natural disaster response should be handled at the federal level:

The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced to local leaders last week that it will no longer purchase and store ice in preparation of disaster support, including hurricanes. FEMA officials said ice will only be provided for life-saving and life-sustaining support.

James McIntyre, a FEMA spokesman, said Thursday the no-ice policy stands despite an uproar from local and national leaders.

“This is a better business practice,” McIntyre said. “States and local governments are in the best position to provide needed resources in a timely manner following a disaster. States can seek reimbursement for the provision of ice in response to the emergency measures following a major disaster.”

Womack said he disagrees with FEMA’s stance.

“We’ll be bidding for ice against larger states,” Womack said. “That leaves a small state like Mississippi at a disadvantage. We won’t be able to provide as much ice as FEMA can.” Continue reading “A Bit More on the FEMA Ice Controversy”