Political storms: By the numbers breakout

When a bad storm hits, a giant fire breaks out or some other natural catastrophe occurs, a state's governor petitions the president to declare a federal disaster or emergency.

1. The president has discretion to make the declaration. Out of 2,498 total applications made nationwide (1953-2006), 1,785 were approved for an average 71.4 percent. The average fell to 70.5 percent in years when there wasn't an election involving an incumbent president. George W. Bush approved every single disaster request in 2006. Dwight Eisenhower only approved 35 percent in 1959.