The images of residents gathered on rooftops to escape flood waters are indelible 10 years after Hurricane Katrina buffeted New Orleans. In the years since, the city has moved ahead with resilience strategies that may become a model for other communities.
The Louisiana Audubon and a coalition of other environmental groups recently released a report on what has been done and where more needs to be invested to prepare the area for the next big storm. More than $14 billion went towards rebuilding the levees and other flood protections and the result has been called "best flood control system of any coastal community."
The formation of the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) and the creation of a state coastal master plan have led to a long-term approach to achieving a sustainable coast. The plan, to be updated every five years, focuses on coastal protection and restoration projects.
Other resiliency efforts include raising individual houses out of the flood plain and educating the public about storm safety and response. For example, Terrebonne Parish won funding through Federal Emergency Management Agency grants and state programs to raise more than 1,000 homes.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Apr 1, 2021
Cuomo proposes strengthened NY building codes to boost efficiency
Would apply to appliance, equipment efficiency and reduce water use.
Codes and Standards | Mar 25, 2021
N.C.’s Outer Banks’ communities struggle for ways to keep the sea from overrunning them
Tax hikes for beach replenishment offer temporary solution.
Codes and Standards | Mar 24, 2021
Perkins&Will’s D.C. office pledges to eliminate embodied carbon in commercial interiors
Firm aims to reach goal on all designs by 2030.
Codes and Standards | Mar 23, 2021
The 15-minute city may not work in much of North America
Segregated neighborhoods and car-centric cities may not adapt to the European model.
Codes and Standards | Mar 22, 2021
Think tank offers plan for new approach to reduce neighborhood poverty
Strategy uses more targeted approach to invest in low-income areas.
Codes and Standards | Mar 19, 2021
California city bans construction of new gas stations
Existing stations will not be allowed to add more pumps.
Codes and Standards | Mar 18, 2021
Congressmen ask Biden to tackle rising lumber costs
Rising materials costs and supply shortages threaten economic recovery, housing starts.
Codes and Standards | Mar 16, 2021
Massachusetts bill would mandate rooftop solar on new homes, commercial buildings
Proposed Bay State mandate modeled on California’s.
Codes and Standards | Mar 15, 2021
Nevada may create areas for tech companies to form own governments
Legislation calls for ‘Innovation Zones’ that could become smart cities.
Codes and Standards | Mar 11, 2021
Los Angeles commits to carbon-free city buildings
City will take into account embedded carbon when contracting to buy construction products.
