The flawed response to Hurricane Katrina by local, state and federal officials has experts worried that the nation is unprepared for another major disaster. Nearly every emergency-response system broke down in the days immediately following the monster storm - the costliest disaster in American history. Some disaster experts say the government's preoccupation with terrorism - including the deployment of thousands of National Guard and Reserve troops in Iraq - has jeopardized domestic emergency-response capabilities. President Bush proposes putting active-duty troops in charge when states and local communities are overwhelmed by a disaster - whether manmade or natural - but many state officials don't want to give up control. Both Congress and the White House are investigating post-Katrina emergency operations to avoid similar mistakes next time. Meanwhile, disaster officials say Katrina showed the need for individual citizens to be prepared to serve as first-responders for their own families.

Pamela M. Prah is a veteran reporter who recently joined CQ Researcher after several years reporting in Washington for Stateline.org, Kiplingers Washington Letter and the Bureau of National Affairs. She holds a masters degree in government from Johns Hopkins University and a journalism degree from Ohio University.