20 Years Post-Katrina: Evaluating the Effectiveness of FEMA's Policy Changes

On September 15, 2005, President George W. Bush delivered a somber address from Jackson Square in New Orleans, a city still grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, one of America's deadliest natural disasters.Just two weeks prior, Hurricane Katrina, classified as a Category 5 storm, breached levees across multiple neighborhoods, resulting in nearly 1,400 fatalities and displacing thousands.Amid widespread criticism, FEMA's inadequate preparation and delayed response became a focal point of concern, leading government officials to classify the event as a significant learning opportunity, the repercussions of which persist two decades later.Around 30,000 individuals, primarily from African American communities, sought refuge at the Superdome under Mayor Ray Nagin's urging, facing dire conditions over the ensuing days. Amid this chaos, miscommunication hampered necessary aid.Reflecting on these events, Dwight Cunningham, a former journalist and FEMA employee, emphasized the systemic failures that disproportionately affected poorer populations.Looking ahead, experts note that while FEMA has undergone reforms, greater accountability and resources remain crucial for effective disaster response and recovery.