"I'm not sure the Stafford Act anticipated a catastrophic event such as Katrina," Mr. Powell said in a telephone interview.

President Bush declared a state of emergency under the authority of the Stafford Act for the inland parishes of Louisiana.

The Stafford Act also directs the President to ensure that adequate stocks will be available for mass feeding in a disaster situation.

President Bush declared a major disaster for Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, under the authority of the Stafford Act.

The Stafford Act established a system of federal assistance to state and local governments and required all states to prepare individual Emergency Operations Plans.

The Stafford Act is a 1988 amended version of the Disaster Relief Act of 1974.

There are many criticisms of the Stafford Act.

Other criticisms of the Stafford Act focus on human rights issues that are present during emergencies and recovery efforts.

The Stafford Act does not require that the federal government ensure displaced persons have the ability to participate in governmental decisions that affect the recovery efforts.

Ms. Harman helped coordinate disaster declarations under the Stafford Act; she counseled counties on assistance that was available.