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FEMA at the ready

Posted: Wednesday, October 24, 2007 1:59 PM

By Martin Savidge, NBC News Correspondent

 SAN DIEGO – It sits in the shadow of San Diego's Qualcomm stadium – a tan blob of a tent that would look more at home on the battlefield in Iraq.

That's because it's a government tent belonging to FEMA. The interior of the tent is closed to the media. There is somberness around it almost as though it were a morgue. People go inside and emerge different than when they went in.

Evacuees go into the tent to see if they still have a home to go to.

Hanging on the walls inside are the addresses that the flames have claimed.

Every day more addresses go up and more people go in. Some emerge happy. Some come out in tears.

For those in tears  FEMA counselors wait just outside the tent, sitting at small desk chairs like in a high school classroom, hoping to help. 

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My prayers are with you people in CA.  I live in New Orleans and I'd suggest you not wait for the government (especially FEMA) to fix things.  You've got to take care of it yourself.  It will be frustrating, but you can do it!!!

Mary Metairie, LA (Sent Wednesday, October 24, 2007 5:25 PM)



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