Micah Flint

What we have learned in 3 years. Nothing.

As Gustav hits Louisiana on the three-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, evacuation plans for New Orleans are working, levees have withheld the surge, and the National Guard and specialized organizations have responded.  It seems that the local and state government actually learned something from Hurricane Katrina and has mitigated loss of life. Great right?  Wrong.  Here is where a disaster becomes political.  True mitigation does not start with an evacuation plan.  Mitigation starts before a disaster event occurs by identifying the hazards (in this case hurricanes and storm surges) and implementing policies that reduce vulnerability.  Once again Louisiana and New Orleans officials and government are failing by using ad hoc policies to react instead of prevent or reduce.Disaster Mitigation starts with knowing the facts and then implementing policy. Facts1.     Hurricanes, storm surge, and flooding are high priority hazards for New Orleans.2.     Over 50% of New Orleans is below sea level.3.     Little to no “buffer” zone between the sea and New Orleans.4.     New Orleans is very urbanized.5.     New Orleans is encircled with levees that create a “bowl” topography which creates more sensitivity to flooding.Mitigation examples for reduction of loss/risk:1.     Create a larger buffer zone between the sea and New Orleans.2.     Reassess building codes to withstand high winds from storm surges.3.     Strengthen resilience among densely populated areas and encourage migration in smaller more vulnerable communities.4.     Reassess levees and implement a plan to reduce the “bowl” like topography of New Orleans.5.     Stop developing in the swamp lands.Mitigation starts at the local level.  It is not top down policy making or financing.  The local and state community should know its vulnerability and take responsibility for them.The lessons that disaster managers, government, and the public should take from Louisiana, specifically New Orleans:1.     Mitigation starts before a hazard threat is apparent.2.     Mitigation starts at the local level.3.     Mitigation is based on facts.  Emotions, history and culture should be considered but should not be the ultimate deciding factors.4.     Mitigation reduces vulnerability, which saves lives and assets.