I can't get out of my head the visions of children and babies I saw sitting there, helpless, looking at me and hoping I could make a difference... .

201

If you wear a FEMA shirt into the office, when you leave work have a change of clothing in your car so when you go into a restaurant you're not wearing FEMA clothing. FPS gave us guidelines, certainly not to make us worry, but to be more aware of our situation.

192

He just said, 'Thank you,' and that he was going to call the White House.

169

Sir, I know that you know the situation is past critical. The sooner we can get the medical patients out, the sooner we can get them out.

159

The mayor was devastated. He knew his city was damaged beyond what they'd realized. There were women in the room crying. It was a very emotional meeting.

152

...the situation is past critical... hotels are kicking people out, thousands gathering in the streets with no food or water... estimates are many will die within hours.

118

Every DMAT team in this country is deployed.

111

I think there was a systematic failure at all levels of government to understand the magnitude of the situation.

99