Katrina: Ten Years Later

The Lessons We’ve Learned

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, there was a lot of talk about what went wrong and what could have been done better. In the years since, many changes have been made to improve our response to natural disasters.

What Went Wrong

One of the biggest problems with the response to Hurricane Katrina was the lack of coordination between different agencies. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was responsible for coordinating the federal response to the storm, but it was slow to get up and running.

Another problem was the lack of communication between government agencies and the public. Many people were not aware of the evacuation plans or where to go for help.

What Has Changed

In the years since Hurricane Katrina, many changes have been made to improve our response to natural disasters. FEMA has been reorganized and given more resources. The National Hurricane Center has upgraded its forecasting and warning systems.

In addition, there has been a greater emphasis on disaster preparedness. Communities are now required to have emergency plans in place and to conduct regular drills.

Lessons Learned

The lessons we learned from Hurricane Katrina are invaluable. We have learned that we need to be better prepared for natural disasters, and that we need to have better coordination between government agencies and the public.

We have also learned that we need to be more resilient in the face of adversity. Hurricane Katrina was a devastating storm, but it also showed us that we can overcome even the most challenging circumstances.