In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, specifically the Lower Ninth Ward. The catastrophic impact was due to the failure of the city’s levee and floodwalls, which led to 80% of New Orleans to be flooded.
In this brief, Memoli highlights how the city’s lack of action led to an ineffective response and failed protection system, leading to preventable harm. The brief discusses what would have been the benefits to disaster preparedness for the New Orleans government—including anticipating the failure of the levee system—especially in light of the fatalities, injuries, and costs of the 2005 hurricane.