New Orleans City Council Hurricane Katrina

remained a busy port that enjoyed prolonged

History

exposure to the Caribbean, South America, and Europe.

Before we get into the immediate issues that afflict Louisiana because of Hurricane Katrina, let's take a look at the broader context. The state of Louisiana and city of New Orleans' rich and unique histories should inform your

in Louisiana’s culture. New Orleans was a predominantly French-speaking city into the 1830's, and Creole remains a common second language among locals. As might be deduced from its name, the holiday Mardi Gras is

approach throughout this committee's session.

heavily influenced by French tradition.

Culture Louisiana's

There is still a robust French presence

But Mardi Gras is far from a French distinctively

blended

knockoff: it is a Bayou original. The Louisiana

culture arises from two factors: the land has

tradition borrows elements from both Spanish

changed hands multiple times, and New

and French Catholicism, as well as Native

Orleans is a major port city. Originally

American and African cultures.2 New Orleans'

inhabited by Woodland and Mississippian

signature holiday, which originated sometime

Native Americans, Louisiana was colonized by

in the mid-nineteenth century, is truly

the French in the 1700's. The city of Nouvelle-

representative of the state's varied history.

Orleans was officially established in 1718.

Race

Louisiana remained under French control for over half a century before it was given to Spain. The proceeding 40 years of Spanish rule were responsible for some of New Orleans' most celebrated architecture. In 1803 the territory was returned to France, who held onto it for less than a month before selling it to the United States in the storied Louisiana Purchase.

1

Throughout all of this change, New Orleans

Perhaps the most important legacy from Louisiana's time under Spanish rule was a thriving class of free African Americans in New Orleans, which outlasted the Spanish flag in the city. As a major port, New Orleans paradoxically spent the 1900's as both as a primary hub in the slave trade and a city with a free black population.3 At the onset of the Civil War, as a

1 . "New Orleans – Facts & Summary." History.com. A E Networks, 2010. Web.

2 . New Orleans – Facts & Summary." History.com. A E Networks, 2010. Web. 3 . New Orleans – Facts & Summary." History.com. A E Networks, 2010. Web.

Southern city with a complicated racial history,

world.7

New Orleans once again found itself in a

New Orleans is of course officially

cultural and moral grey area. New Orleans

desegregated. The de facto segregation in New

started out as the biggest city in the

Orleans today, however, is conspicuous along

Confederacy, but was captured by the Union,

both racial and socioeconomic lines. New

unopposed, a year into the Civil War. After the

Orleans is the city with the second-largest

war, African Americans gained considerable

wealth gap in the United States. Segregation

political influence in Louisiana, but it was not

even runs deep among the city's children:

easy to hold onto. They were often fighting

effectively all middle and upper class children

with the likes of the Ku Klux Klan to maintain

in New Orleans attend private school. Low-

their political foothold.

income housing is highly concentrated in the

Suburbanization in the 20th century left behind an urban population of predominantly poor African Americans

4

center and the east of the city, which are at the highest risk of flooding.8

. Today's New

The African-American population is

Orleans identifies strongly with its African

disproportionately afflicted by poverty. The

American history. Tourists come from all over

black community has been met by a system that

the world to listen to New Orleans’s signature

regards them with either indifference or open

jazz music, which has deep roots in African

hostility. HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson

culture and slavery. 5

once publicly expressed his hopes for a

Poverty & Segregation

“smaller, whiter” New Orleans, overwhelming

New Orleans is one of the poorest cities in the country, reporting a staggering 28% poverty rate in 2000. An estimated 40% of New Orleans; adult population is functionally illiterate. There is are shortages of jobs and healthcare. Crime rates are high and houses stand abandoned.6 It is not uncommon to hear locals jokingly refer to the Big Easy as the third 4 . New Orleans – Facts & Summary." History.com. A E Networks, 2010. Web. 5 . "Timeline." Jazz in America. The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz. Web. 6 . "I'm Carolyn Parker: In Context." PBS. 2012. Web.

7 . Snyder, Mary Gail. "It Didn't Begin With Katrina." National Housing Institute. 2005. Web.

8 Web.

Smith, David. "The Poverty Pit." POV. 14 Oct. 2005.

approval.

people were able to live below sea level. New Orleans residents have been, more or less successfully, defying nature every since.

9

When the levees were created in 1965, there was a maintenance plan that was supposed to be completed in 13 years. Now, 40 years later, that project is only 60-90% complete. 10 There has been a smattering of damaging

hurricanes

in

New

Orleans

throughout the 20th century, but the most notable was Hurricane Betsy in 1965. During

Natural Disasters and the Levees

Betsy, there was a breech in the Industrial

The New Orleans that exists today is far

Canal levy, causing floods in the lower 9th ward,

from a first draft: the French city of Nouvelle-

a black working class neighborhood. A

Orleans was all but obliterated by a hurricane

commonly held belief among locals is that the

in 1722. Large parts of the city were once again

Army

destroyed by two fires later that same century.

damaged the Industrial Canal levy to alleviate

These disasters did allow for improvement; the

pressure and spare other (read: white)

city was rebuilt better every time. The well-

neighborhoods. There is no evidence that this

planned grid pattern of French Quarter and the

is true, but locals' willingness to believe the

fire-resistant brick buildings found in New

story is telling. The black and working class

Orleans today are the products of hard-learned

population of New Orleans count themselves

lessons.

expendable to those in power.

Corps

of

Engineers

intentionally

11

New technology in the 1900's allowed

Last year in 2004, the ultimately

for the city of New Orleans to grow in ways

unneeded evacuation of 60,000 residents for

that were not previously possible. For the first

Hurricane Ivan left the population wary of

time thanks for levees and drainage canals,

over-caution. The city budget for 2005 saw a $71 million cut in funds for levee projects. 12

9 . Snyder, Mary Gail. "It Didn't Begin With Katrina." National Housing Institute. 2005. Web. 10 Seed, R.B.; et al. "Preliminary Report on the Performance of the New Orleans Levee Systems in Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005." University of California, Berkeley. November 2, 2005

11 . Snyder, Mary Gail. "It Didn't Begin With Katrina." National Housing Institute. 2005. Web. 12 . Revkin, Andrew, and Christopher Dew. "Intricate Flood Protection Long a Focus of Dispute." New York Times 1 Sept. 2005.

thereafter she touched down in Southern Florida, causing $600 million in damage and

Current

over a dozen deaths.14 At this point Katrina had certainly proven herself to be no routine

Situation

shower, but still nobody estimated that she would be more than the Southern United

The state of Louisiana prepared for the

States was prepared to handle. Hurricane

2005 hurricane season the way that it usually

Katrina began to weaken as she headed

does: some residents stocked up on canned

northwest, and the National Weather Service

foods and bottled water, but most did little

predicted that the storm would soon meet its

more than idly daydream about time off from

end at Florida's panhandle.

work and school. Despite the pamphlets

The next morning, the storm made an

informing the state's residents that they should

alarming shift. The National Hurricane Center

board up their windows and prepare low-

realized that Katrina’s strength has been

altitude areas, many assumed that the summer

rejuvenated. She is also on a new course that

would pass without occasion. It was business

will lead her to Mississippi and Southern

as usual.

Louisiana.15 The NHC fears that the city of

In August, a tropical depression was

New Orleans, large and insufficiently

spotted in the Bahamas. Within twenty-four

protected, will become the storm's greatest

hours it was upgraded to the status of a

victim. For decades experts have expressed

tropical storm, and given the name Katrina.

13

concern about the city’s weak, insecure levee

Again, there was no reason for anyone to view

system, and it seems that this storm may

this as abnormal. Every year from July to

finally be the test that they've feared.

September the Caribbean and Gulf Coast experience heavy rainfall and winds, only occasionally resulting in serious damage On August 25th Katrina was reclassified once more: this time, to a hurricane. Shortly

Web. 13 . "Hurricane Katrina: A Nation Still Unprepared." U.S. Government Publishing Office. Ed. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs United States Senate. Superintendent of

Documents, 2006. Web. 10 Dec. 2015. 14 , "Hurricane KATRINA Advisory Archive." National Hurricane Center. Web. 10 Dec. 2015. 15 . "Timeline." Teaching The Levees. Web. 10 Dec. 2015.

Good luck. Louisiana is counting on you.

Issues A natural disaster is by definition unpredictable, and we cannot discount the possibility of unexpected issues. We can, however, expect at least the following issues to arise if Hurricane Katrina does make landfall th

Around midday on August 26 the

on Louisiana. Most of these issues will be

NHC began to alert government officials of its

centered around New Orleans, as the city is

findings, warning them that Katrina will likely

expected to be hardest-hit.

become a major Category 3 hurricane before

Evacuation

she reaches Louisiana. Governor Kathleen Blanco has declared a State of Emergency,

This committee should refer to best

which serves as a warning to the citizens of

practices and recommendations from FEMA

Louisiana, but has not enforced evacuation or

and other disaster response services when

any other preparative measures. Blanco has

creating an evacuation plan that will save as

also enacted her state’s National Guard.

many lives as possible. Aside from creating and

In addition to traditional methods of

communicating this plan, this committee must

hurricane preparation, Governor Blanco has

convince people to heed your warning. The

also assembled a team of scientists, public

unnecessary evacuation for Hurricane Ivan was

officials, and community leaders to assist her

just last year, and many people will not take the

in mitigating both the short-term and long-

recommendation to evacuate seriously. Even if

term effects of the coming storm. This is

they want to evacuate, there are bound to be

where you come in. Swift action is required if

those who cannot. Keep in mind, for example,

the state is to be prepared for Katrina. All

that a quarter of New Orleans' population do

decisions should be made with the practical needs of the citizens in mind. You are charged with creating organization during chaos.

not own cars. 16 You should do your best to

create an effective plan for communicating

assist everyone in getting to safety.

with residents if and when the power goes out. This plan should be created before the loss of power so that it can be immediately implemented when necessary.

Public Health Among the most difficult to evacuate will be hospital patients. It is a legitimate question whether it is worth evacuating these people, or whether they would be safest staying put. It should also be noted that natural disasters are breeding grounds for public

Educating Residents

health crises. During hurricanes, people tend to be injured. After hurricanes, infectious diseases

This committee should make the appropriate arrangements with media outlets to be able to be able to communicate important information, such as weather updates and

tend to proliferate. How will you address this influx of demand for healthcare?

Public Opinion

evacuation plans, to residents. There is also

Many of you are public figures who

certain information that must be communicated

want to maintain positive public images, both

to those who choose not to or cannot evacuate

for yourselves and your respective institutions.

before the storm hits. It is your responsibility to

If this committee loses the public trust, then

ensure that all of those staying in their homes

you will be powerless to carry out most of your

know that they should board their windows, fill

assigned duties. Tourism is one of the most

important prescriptions, and buy important

important industries in New Orleans, and that

supplies. You are tasked with writing specific

means that the city itself must also maintain a

recommendations.

positive public image. Keep that in mind as you

It is also essential that this committee

16 . Snyder, Mary Gail. "It Didn't Begin With Katrina." National Housing Institute. 2005. Web.

try to navigate the media's fantastic coverage of

the next few days.

priority. What can be learned from historic

Security

instances of post-disaster reconstruction, both in New Orleans and elsewhere?

The aftermath of a natural disaster is often a dangerous time period. Chaos and instability are breeding grounds for crimes such as violent riots, looting, or worse. Criminals are often able to act with impunity, and officers of the law are more likely to be targeted. It's your job to mitigate this violence.

There are also strategic concerns for reconstruction. Which areas should take priority? If there is flooding, then there is the question of whether the areas precariouslylocated below-sea-level areas should even be rebuilt. There will be residents who wish to return to these areas, but reconstructing these

There will be no time or manpower to deal with prisoners after the storm. Prisoners should be safely and securely transferred to facilities outside of the storm's trajectory before Katrina makes landfall.

areas may be an exercise in futility and dangerous for residents. 17

Search and Rescue Fallen buildings and dangerous debris may block roads and trap people If the levees

Shelter

break, then there will be a narrow window after Remember

to

provide

evacuation

centers, where evacuees can be temporarily sheltered, in your evacuation plan. It is difficult, if not impossible, to predict how many people will be displaced after the storm. Nonetheless you should start thinking about where these

the storm subsides before dangerous floods come to claim more victims. If flooding is severe, then important historical and cultural artifacts can be lost. Who or what will take priority for rescue? Who will rescue them, and how will they find their targets? It's up to you.

people will go.

Reconstruction Depending on how much damage is done, the city of New Orleans may be in for a major reconstruction project. You will have to consider where these resources will come from and which areas of New Orleans should take 17

. Snyder, Mary Gail. "It Didn't Begin With Katrina."

National Housing Institute. 2005. Web.

narrative being projected by the media about this storm?

Positions Everybody in this committee will be working together, but your assigned position will shape your approach, your priorities, and your portfolio powers while this committee is in session.

Questions to Consider

Kathleen Blanco (Chair) Kathleen Blanco took office as Louisiana’s

1. What can be done to regain the public trust and get the people in danger to take the evacuation recommendations seriously? 2. How can specific information about danger levels and evacuation routes be communicated to the public efficiently? 3. How (if it all) can the public be reached after the power goes out? 4. What steps can be taken to avoid a security vacuum which would encourage crime in the aftermath of the storm? 5. What will be the logistical plans for evacuation, search and rescue, medical aid and reconstruction? Where will funding come from? 6. How do you want to shape the

first female governor in January of 2004, after serving twenty years in public office. Blanco ran as a Democratic candidate on the platform of improving public education, increasing access to healthcare, and investing in the economy. What Blanco did not promise to do was revamp the state’s emergency response plans. Unfortunately, it seems that she may be forced to put her original goals on the back burner for an extended period of time. Louisiana has long been warned about the failures in its hurricane preparedness, and it is very possible that Hurricane Katrina could be a catastrophic test. Aware of her lack of resources, Blanco is depending heavily on her advisors to help her plan for the storm.

David Vitter

ability to coordinate with other governing bodies, as his department does not possess a

As the Republican senator of Louisiana, Vitter’s greatest contribution to this body will

fleet of vehicles.

be his ability to lobby for federal relief funding.

Doctor Fred Cerise

While Vitter will not be able to garner funds

Doctor Cerise’s position as

before Hurricane Katrina hits, he may be able

Secretary of the Department of Health is one

to bring natural disaster prevention along the

that calls for both knowledge of public health

Gulf Coast into the national spotlight.

and sensitivity to political dealings. If Cerise

Mary Landrieu

wants to keep his job as the most powerful

Mary Landrieu comes from an important Louisiana political family: her father served as the mayor of New Orleans, and her brother is

Louisiana’s

doctor in Louisiana, he’s going to have to learn that sometimes the needs of the population come before those of the individual.

currently running for the same position.

Ray Nagin

However, aside from her reputation as one of

Mayor Ray Nagin of New Orleans is a

the most conservative Democrats in the senate,

business-minded politician who is dedicated to

Landrieu herself has failed to attract much

maintaining his city’s reputation—as well as

political attention. Like David Vitter, Mary

his own—at all costs. Up for reelection in less

Landrieu’s main role within this body is using

than a year, there’s no doubt that Nagin will be

her political connections to bring national

especially focused on pleasing his constituents,

assistance to her home state.

who are primarily underprivileged African-

Johnny B. Bradberry

Americans

As secretary of the Louisiana Department of

Michael Brown

Transportation and Development, Johnny B.

One of the first major events during Michael

Bradberry is tasked with defining evacuation

Brown’s career as FEMA director was 2004’s

routes in the event of a tragedy as well as

Hurricane Frances. In the months following the

distributing this information to the public. In

storm Brown was heavily criticized for

addition to getting people out of the state, he’ll

disbursing too much aid to the city of Miami,

need to find ways to get vital supplies into it.

which suffered a fairly low amount of damage.

Bradberry’s success will depend heavily on his

Brown eventually conceded that almost half of

the thirty million dollars in relief given by

Laurence Broun

FEMA was unnecessary. He denied any wrongdoing, instead blaming a computer glitch. If Brown would like to keep his job he must assure

that

FEMA

is

not

accused

of

In the event of a natural disaster, the Department of the Interior is expected to aid in search-and-rescue

missions.

As

the

department’s emergency coordinator, it is

irresponsibly handling funds again.

Laurence Broun’s job to determine how the

Max Mayfield

DOI can best serve the public. This means that

Max Mayfield is one of the only members of

he will need to be aware of what resources he

this body who was selected solely to provide

has at his disposal and what areas are most in

his fellow committee members and the citizens

need of assistance.

of

Willie Walker

Louisiana

with

accurate

and

vital

information about the storm. Mayfield served in the United States Air Force, the National Weather Service, and is now the director of the National Hurricane Center: a position which he has held for the past five years.

Michael Chertoff

Pastor Willie Walker is one of the most respected leaders of New Orleans. Walker is known as a “24-hour pastor,” and views his 60person congregation at Noah’s Ark Missionary Baptist Church as his extended family. He’s taken on the role of a protector for both his

The Department of Homeland Security is

parishioners and their neighborhood, and has

tasked with handling all national emergencies,

lately been working to build a public health

be they natural disasters or man-made. Should

clinic. Kathleen Blanco has invited the pastor

Hurricane Katrina prove to be catastrophic,

to participate in this committee so that he may

Chertoff will be expected to coordinate

help her connect to the Central City community.

between this committee, The President of The

The Central City is an area that is not very

United States, and various other bodies on the

wealthy but plays an important role in New

federal level. As a Louisiana outsider, Chertoff

Orleans history.

should be able to look at issues critically,

Edmond J. Preau

without the influence of personal feelings or political motives.

As an Assistant Secretary in the Louisiana Department

of

Transportation

and

Development, the head of the Office of Public

Works, and the Secretary-Treasurer of the

military connections. Some of these may be

Association of Levee Boards of Louisiana,

called upon to increase the amount of

Edmond J. Preau has played a huge role in the

responders who are prepared to enter the area.

development

Col. Richard P. Wagenaar

and

maintenance

of

flood

prevention measures. Admittedly, Preau has not been given the resources or training to properly accomplish his duties. Regardless,

The Army Corps of Engineers was first assigned to Gulf Coast back in 1850, when

he’ll need to find a way to improve upon the

Congress

state’s Emergency Operations Plan

implementing flood control measures in

Marty Bahamonde

mandated

that

they

begin

Mississippi. This legislation was expanded to Louisiana in 1879, when most of the levees

Aside from Michael Brown, Marty Bahamonde

began to be built. Since then, The Corps has

is the only FEMA representative currently

established itself as one of the most vital

located in Louisiana. Bahamonde is an official,

hurricane relief providers. At the request of

and therefore ranks below Brown, but he still

state and city governments, they are able to

has an important job to do. The department is

carry out search-and-rescue missions and

skeptical of Brown’s ability to perform, given

provide supplies. Colonel Richard P. Wagenaar,

the Hurricane Frances debacle, and is looking

along with other Corps officials, has been

to Bahamonde to ensure that there are no errors

warning the state of Louisiana that the levees

in the response to Hurricane Katrina. If

are out of date, especially in New Orleans, for

Bahamonde is able to prove his competence, it

years now. Aware of these warnings, the

may mean big things for his career.

Governor has called upon Col. Wagenaar to

Marine Col. Terry Ebbert

advise them on possible ways to address the issues before and after Hurricane Katrina hits.

The current director of the New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Public Safety is

Capt. Frank Paskewich

Colonel Terry Ebbert. A former Marine who

The Coast Guard is one of the most well-

fought in the Vietnam War, Col. Ebbert is

prepared groups in the region. This is largely

extremely qualified to operate the city’s

thanks to Captain Frank Paskewich’s decisions

Emergency Operations Center, which is to be

as the commanding officer of troops in New

activated in the event of a disaster. In addition

Orleans. On August 25th Capt. Paskewich

to experience, Col. Ebbert has a wealth of

moved his men to a base in Alexandria, LA.

While this move may seem premature to some,

with his personal expertise, Van Heerden has

Capt. Paskewich prides himself on being able

access to almost every research facility in the

to exercise caution and plan ahead. The troops

university.

are now in an ideal position to weather the

Marc H. Morial

storm, then move in to aid civilians in the When Marc H. Morial accepted the position of

aftermath.

mayor of New Orleans he was following in the

Mark Schleifstein

footsteps of his father; the city’s first African-

A long-time reporter for the Times-Picayune,

American mayor and The New Orleans

Mark Schleifstein has established himself as

Convention Center’s namesake. From 1994 to

the standard for journalists in Louisiana. For

2002 Morial upheld is father’s excellent

this reason, the state took notice when he wrote

reputation for leadership. Today, he serves as

a front page article on the lack of preparedness

the president of the National Urban League. He

for natural disasters in New Orleans back in

has been asked to contribute his considerable

2002. Since his report came out, the city has

experience and to put a beloved face on

done little to improve upon its emergency plans.

Governor Blanco’s coalition.

Now,

Lt. Gen. Russel Honore

Governor

Blanco

has

enlisted

Schleifstein as a liaison to her constituents. While the Governor would prefer that Schleifstein publish the most flattering choices made by her team, she has no official say in

Louisiana native and Army commander Lieutenant General Russel Honore understands the threat that hurricanes present to Southern Louisiana and the chaos that ensues in the

what information he gets to the public.

aftermath of a disaster. The Lieutenant General

Ivor Van Heerden

has been asked to leave his base in Atlanta,

South African native Ivor Van Heerden has

Georgia to assist in determining how the army

made a career in Louisiana out of preparing for

can most effectively aid his home state in the

events

wake of the storm.

like

Hurricane

Katrina.

As

the

cofounder of Louisiana State University’s Hurricane Center and Center for the Study of Public Health Impacts of Hurricanes, he is more qualified than almost anyone to advise this body in matters of public education. Along

Eddie Compass As Superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department, Eddie Compass is

no stranger to danger. Even the military will be turning to Compass and his men for supporting in controlling the chaos that is expect to ensue in Katrina’s wake. Compass must have plans in place for training outsiders as well as his own men, who will no doubt be inexperienced in these unique crime fighting situations.

Works Cited 1. "New Orleans – Facts & Summary." History.com. A E Networks, 2010. Web.

2. "Timeline." Jazz in America. The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz. Web. 3. "I'm Carolyn Parker: In Context." PBS. 2012. Web. 4. Snyder, Mary Gail. "It Didn't Begin With Katrina." National Housing Institute. 2005. Web. 5. Smith, David. "The Poverty Pit." POV. 14 Oct. 2005. Web. 6. Seed, R.B.; et al. "Preliminary Report on the Performance of the New Orleans Levee Systems in Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005." University of California, Berkeley. November 2, 2005

7. Revkin, Andrew, and Christopher Dew. "Intricate Flood Protection Long a Focus of Dispute." New York Times 1 Sept. 2005. Web. 8. "Hurricane Katrina: A Nation Still Unprepared." U.S. Government Publishing Office. Ed. Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs United States Senate. Superintendent of Documents, 2006. Web. 9. "Hurricane KATRINA Advisory Archive." National Hurricane Center. Web. 10 Dec. 2015. 10. "Timeline." Teaching The Levees. Web. 10 Dec. 2015.

11. Fresh Air. National Public Radio. WLRN, Miami, 16 Sept. 2005. Radio. 12. Tapper, Jake. "Amid Katrina Chaos, Congressman Used National Guard to Visit Home." ABC News 13 Sept. 2005. Web.