"Well, I'm not excusing the fact that planning and preparedness was not where it should be. We've known for 20 years about this hurricane, this possibility of this kind of hurricane"

This quote by Michael Chertoff is describing the lack of preparation and preparedness for a cyclone that was known about for 20 years. He is acknowledging that the planning and readiness was not up to the basic it needs to have been, and is likely expressing remorse or disappointment that more was refrained from doing to get ready for the cyclone. He is likely emphasizing the significance of preparation and preparedness for future occasions, and the requirement to act ahead of time to guarantee that the necessary actions are taken to safeguard individuals and home. He is also likely stressing the requirement to take natural disasters seriously and to be proactive in getting ready for them.