The weather channels reported 24" of rain in a 48 hour period around the Denham Springs-Baton Rouge area and heavy rains around other areas west of New Orleans. Rivers and drainage canals topped their banks and flooding of vast areas caused heavy damage, destruction and even death. The areas affected have been declared a disaster by the President and federal aid and help is already taking place along with the state's emergency departments.
The disaster should remind everyone of the positive things we learned from previous disasters and our failure to correct those things that were left with out action. We learned how FEMA did not respond well to the great flood in New Orleans at the time of Katrina. It is still the subject of many Kartina stories. However, FEMA's response to the BP explosion in the Gulf was a marked improvement under the Obama administration. FEMA's response was also positive and timely to the great flood in Louisiana of 2016. They were on the ground since day one doing what they do best. Claims are already being filed and accepted by FEMA.
Governor Edwards and his administration responded well through out the entire period of the storm and Louisiana's people, those who lost much and those who just wanted to help in time of need stood tall. The Red Cross did its part along with folks who saw that food would be destributed in a timely manner. The federal government and state government has worked well together for the common good.
What Louisiana has failed to learn over the years is the need to take care of our states infrastructure. Many of our drainage canals and rivers need updating to handle such disasters. We build in wetlands without the proper plans to take care of environmental problems, including flooding. Maintenance is mostly non existing and financing is not there. Governor Edwards did take the first step in the budget when he canceled some projects that had been previously approved but not started. He did this to prioritize what was more important so the funds could be used there.
Disasters are a great reminder of how important state and the federal government are in making things whole again and not the bad guy like so many politicians claim. Blame does not get the job done and neither does photo opts. President Obama was right when he said 4, 5 or 6 months from now and there after we still have to be engaged to finish the job of rebuilding the communities affected by the great storm.
This writer has reminded its readers many times that understanding the mistakes of the past is still the key to a better future. I think it is safe to say that Louisiana governor Edwards and President Obama have learned from the mistakes of some of our past leaders and are leading the way for a better future. Now it is up to members of congress and the Louisiana state legislature to provide the funds necessary to complete the recovery from the great Louisiana flood of 2016.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
