disaster preparedness

Sculptures Set To Mark Evacuation Pickup Spots

Eileen Fleming — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Fifteen stainless-steel sculptures have just arrived and will soon be appearing throughout New Orleans. The unique public art project is designed to help save lives.

Why Is The Government In The Flood Insurance Business?

David Kestenbaum — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 08:35:00 +0000

There's a quick, one-word explanation for why the federal government started selling flood insurance: Betsy.

Hurricane Betsy, which struck the Gulf Coast in 1965, became known as billion-dollar Betsy. Homes were ruined. Water up to the roofs. People paddling around streets in boats. Massive damage.

This would be the time when you'd expect people to be pulling out their flood insurance policies. But flood insurance was hard to come by. You could get fire insurance, theft insurance, car insurance, life insurance.

Lessons From Katrina Boost FEMA's Sandy Response

Brian Naylor — Sat, 03 Nov 2012 09:15:00 +0000

Following Superstorm Sandy, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has received good grades from politicians and even some survivors of the storm. In part, that's due to lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina seven years ago.

For Staten Island resident Deb Smith, whose house was flooded by the storm surge from Sandy, FEMA has been a savior.

"What a hell of an organization. I got on the phone with them yesterday, I got my claim number in already, the guy said he's going to call me in a couple of days," she says.

Community Impact Series: UNO-CHART

Ian McNulty — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 13:17:45 +0000

An applied research center is helping small communities along the coast cope with change by building networks, sharing knowledge and kindling hope.

WATCH: Mayor Landrieu's Latest Press Conference

Jason Saul — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 22:21:57 +0000

The 3 p.m. New Orleans press conference, in its entirety:

http://youtu.be/SvnGAL8DyA4

Louisiana prepares: by the numbers

The Associated Press — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 20:59:10 +0000

A by-the-numbers look at Louisiana's preparation for Hurricane Isaac on Tuesday, according to Gov. Bobby Jindal.

— 4,158: National Guard troops activated statewide.

WATCH: President Obama Speaks on Preparing for Hurricane Isaac

Jason Saul — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 20:04:09 +0000

President Obama discusses steps FEMA and other federal and local agencies are taking to keep Gulf Coast residents safe and minimize the damage from approaching Hurricane Isaac.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CskduIgUSHk

St. Mary Parish prepares for Isaac

The Associated Press — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 16:23:29 +0000

The St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office says the state transportation department has barricaded some intersections along Highway 90 to let traffic flow more smoothly through the parish.

New Orleans Braces For Isaac

Michel Martin — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 16:05:00 +0000

Isaac is headed toward the Gulf Coast, and Louisiana's governor has declared a state of emergency. The storm is threatening to hit New Orleans as the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina approaches. Host Michel Martin speaks with Lt. Col. Jerry Sneed of Homeland Security in New Orleans, about how they're preparing the city for the storm.

St. Charles Parish evacuation underway

WWNO Staff — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 01:07:28 +0000

The St. Charles Parish President has called for a mandatory evacuation effective at 6 p.m. Sunday for all residents in St.