Retired Admiral Thad Allen, who led federal recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina, is now co-chairing a New York commission to review the state’s response to weather-related emergencies.

Speaking on WNYC’s Brian Lehrer Show on Friday, Allen said the commission will make recommendations in early January with the goal of creating a road map for the governor.

"The intent here is to get people that really understand these problems together, have them talk about it, get the most important things up, and get those to the Governor as fast as we can,” Allen said.

The commission is tasked with looking at communication, preparation and response during disasters.

When asked about the comparisons of Sandy to Katrina — made by both Governors Andrew Cuomo and Chris Christie — Allen said both were “grave” storms, but there were key differences between them.

“You need to be careful about making one-to-one comparisons about what are radically different events,” he said. “Having said that, if you’re a resident of Staten Island, Seaside Heights, the Lower Ninth Ward or Bay, St. Louis, you’re indelibly and forever impacted by those events as they happened to you locally.”

To listen to the full segment, click here.