FEMA chief: Ready for hurricane season

WASHINGTON, June 1 (UPI) -- The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency says Hurricane Katrina has led to improved disaster plans for New Orleans and other areas.

To mark Thursday's start of the 2006 hurricane season, David Paulison reviewed the advances, including improved communications and methods of tracking relief supplies, as well as better evacuation plans.

"We've gone through those (evacuation plans), we've rehearsed them, we're very comfortable that those are going to work," Paulison told CNN.

Hurricane Katrina killed more than 1,500 people and caused billions of dollars in damage along the Gulf Coast.

Paulison said New Orleans' levees are still a major concern, with repairs still under way. He said FEMA wants to make sure they are at least as sturdy as they were before Katrina hit last Aug. 29.

Hurricane forecasters have predicted 17 named tropical storms for the season, projecting nine to become hurricanes.