Are We Prepared for the Another Storm Like Katrina?

As the nation commemorates the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Congress members representing Louisiana, including Troy Carter and Cleo Fields, articulated their thoughts on the catastrophic 2005 event.Congressman Fields expressed alarm over the Trump Administration’s actions that have reportedly reversed vital FEMA reforms established post-Katrina. Fields stated, “Witnessing the rollback of these hard-fought reforms is troubling. Louisiana experienced the dire consequences of flawed disaster response. Hence, these reforms ensured FEMA's competence, capacity, and autonomy to safeguard Americans during emergencies. The reports of these protections being eroded are distressing. I previously communicated with President Trump and Secretary Noem about the necessity for FEMA’s continued strength and readiness.”Congressman Carter contextualized Hurricane Katrina within the ongoing climate crisis, emphasizing the need for unified disaster preparedness strategies as extreme weather events rise. Florida's Congressman Jared Moskowitz highlighted his insights as the first emergency manager in Congress, stressing the necessity for reform and adequate resources during crises. Additionally, Colorado's Congressman Joe Neguse remarked on the escalating frequency of natural disasters, reaffirming a commitment to the bipartisan Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Caucus to bolster community resilience.