December 12th, 2017
We learn our lessons from disaster. HurricaneAndrew (1992) taught us about wind. Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne (2004) taught us about rain. The Red River of the North Basin taught us about floods (1997). Hurricane Katrina had it all: wind, rain and flood. That we will rebuild in the same place is not in doubt. This is what we do—for better or worse. However, if we are to rebuild and we rebuild in the same place, how should we rebuild? We do know how to address wind, rain and flood successfully. However, we rarely address all three simultaneously. The lesson of Hurricane Katrina on this score is particularly harsh. Rebuilding must address all three.