Batten down the real and political hatches; a big storm is on the way.

The National Weather Service has issued a tropical storm warning for parts of Louisiana and Texas.  As much as 15 inches of rain is possible in the next 36 hours.

If you were the Bush administration, would you announce immediately a massive FEMA and National Guard mobilization?  Would you also publicly encourage the governors of the two states to begin evacuation plans now?  Would you do everything possible now to make it look like you had learned your lesson from Katrina and Rita?

And if you didn't do any of these things, would you be surprised by the angry reaction you received from Republicans and Democarts on Capital Hill?

Here's the exact language of the warning.  Hard to imagine that alarm bells haven't already gone off in the White House.

Tropical depression strengthens into a tropical storm,  A tropical storm warning remains in effect from port o'connor texas to cameron louisiana. A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area within the next 24 hours.  A tropical storm watch remains in effect from east of cameron to intracoastal city louisiana. A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 36 hours.  ... Humberto is moving toward the north near 6 mph, 9 km/hr, and this general motion is expected to continue over the next 24 hours. On the forecast track, the center of humberto should be crossing the texas coast within the warning area tonight.  Maximum sustained winds have increased and are now near 45 mph, 75 km/hr, with higher gusts. Some additional strengthening is possible prior to landfall. ... Rainfall amounts of 5 to 10 inches are expected along the middle and upper texas coast and in extreme southwestern louisiana, with isolated maximum accumulations of 15 inches possible

If the rain is as predicted, expect a supplemental appropriation for emergency assistance to start being discussed almost before the storm passes.