Houston not happy with FEMA response

HOUSTON, Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Houston officials are critical of the Federal Emergency Management Agency about delays in getting emergency relief supplies to Hurricane Ike victims.

Houston Mayor Bill White and Harris County Judge Ed Emmett took control of distributing supplies late Tuesday, the Houston Chronicle reports, and authorities were expected to voice their concerns during a meeting Wednesday with Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.

Harris County's two top officials say they knew something had to be done when thousands of hurricane victims went away empty-handed after waiting in line all day to receive food, water, ice and tarps to cover their damaged roofs.

Chertoff first visited Texas Saturday after Ike made landfall.

He scheduled meetings with officials and evacuees in Houston and Galveston Wednesday.

Mayor White says a shortage of ice is one of the biggest problems facing Houston residents in the wake of the hurricane.