What We Learned from Hurricane Katrina That Storm Prep Can’t Teach

Commander Mark Moran, along with Lt. Phil Eastman and Lt. Dave Demers from the NOAA Corps, dedicated over 100 hours assessing the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. Eastman piloted a Helicopter from August 31 to September 19, capturing numerous aerial images from various elevations.Two decades post-Katrina, the haunting memories persist—neighborhoods submerged, families stranded, and the city decimated. Our research at Texas A&M reveals the pressing need for improved storm safety, especially for marginalized communities.Katrina exposed the fallacy that natural hazards equate to human destruction. New Orleans’ roots in inequality are glaring, tracing back to its 18th-century establishment. Discriminatory practices like redlining intensified these disparities, leaving Black and low-income families vulnerable in flood-prone areas.Inadequate recovery efforts reinforced these inequalities, showcasing systemic barriers in disaster assistance. Ultimately, Katrina illuminated profound social injustices and serves as a call to action for equitable disaster resilience across communities.