Rita Watch: Advisory 18

Lines formed today in Houston at the FEMA office to register for benefits. Some people began waiting as early as Tuesday night. Around noon today people in line started to pass out from the heat. FEMA closed the line because it was just too hot for people to be waiting outside. There are new complaints about FEMA and its slow response, but this time it’s about Hurricane Rita.

Persons wanting to file claims for UI or DUA are waiting today between 12 and 25 minutes for their call to be answered. Then, once the call is answered, completion of the claim takes between 10 and 20 minutes. So, in the worst case, claimants may have to wait up to 45 minutes.