Federal Aid to New Orleans

“The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security with a mission to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain and improve out capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from and mitigate all hazards” (“About the Agency”, 2016). 

Prior to Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Audrey reeked havoc to the state of New Orleans in 1957 and started shaping plans for future disasters. After Hurricane Audrey hit, The Leaders of the American Legion approached doctors and businessmen with an idea of building a hospital to better serve the survivors of this hurricane. After obtaining federal funds, South Cameron Memorial Hospital was established six years later in 1963 with only twenty-five beds. No one could predict that five decades later another hurricane would yet again come through Louisiana and cause catastrophic damage. Hurricane Rita hit Louisiana in September 2005, only one month after Hurricane Katrina hit in August 2005. FEMA’s Public Assistance Grant Program allowed Cameron Hospital to rebuild without financial instability. This program funding including covering the costs of replacing the hospital, meeting current codes and standards, and elevating the new building ten feet above the advisory base flood elevation to protect against future flood damage. (South Cameron Memorial Hospital, 2015). 

After touring the Hurricane Katrina exhibit within the Presbytere, more information about FEMA's aid to New Orleans was discovered. After Hurricane Katrina made landfall, it took the federal government five long days to supply help to those who were in need. Because of this delayed period, most of the people inhabiting the city of New Orleans were frustrated and felt abandoned by FEMA. A statement of a FEMA representative who was stationed at the Superdome on the night before Katrina made landfall was posted within this exhibit; it read, "This is going to get really ugly, really fast". 

 Thankfully some improvements have been made within FEMA's structure to help provide relief to citizens in need during the natural disaster. 

Both of these images are found within the Hurricane Katrina exhibit in the Presbytere in New Orleans. 

"About the Agency." About the Agency | FEMA.gov. N.p., 2016. Web. 02 Jan. 2017.

"Hurricane Katrina: A Decade of Progress through Partnerships." Hurricane Katrina: A Decade of Progress through Partnerships | FEMA.gov. N.p., 2016. Web. 02 Jan. 2017.

"South Cameron Memorial Hospital: A Tale of Two Storms." South Cameron Memorial Hospital: A Tale of Two Storms | FEMA.gov. N.p., 2015. Web. 02 Jan. 2017.