The article addresses this. Referring to the origination of the formal index, "The restaurants eventually became a key feature on a color-coded map that his tea

The article addresses this. Referring to the origination of the formal index, "The restaurants eventually became a key feature on a color-coded map that his team provided to help the public and local officials identify where storm damage was most severe." It's not FEMA's job to develop knowledge about coming storms anyways. NOAA does that. FEMA coordinates the preparation for and response to a disaster