This month marks 20 years since the failing and faulty U.S. Army Corps’ levees overwhelmed the city of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina hit. That disaster left an indelible mark on the city, with scars that can still be seen in some places, but also remain in less visible ways. Those marks are no less severe.

At The Lens, our journalists have spent the past year researching and writing about the impacts the flooding had on the city’s citizens. On the education system, the criminal justice system, the environment.

During and after the storm hit, levees and floodwalls in New Orleans and the surrounding areas failed in more than 50 locations, leaving 80% of the city flooded. The flooding resulted in power outages and transportation failures throughout the city, making the emergency response to the storm even more difficult. 

After Katrina, federal, state and local governments spent more than $12 billion on the construction of 350 miles of new levees, flood walls and other structures. But water corrodes metal, so even with this vast expenditure, residents and others are wondering how safe New Orleans is from the next big storm.

Our guests this week include Pulitzer-prize-winning environmental journalist Mark Schleifstein and The Lens’ environmental reporter Delaney Nolan.

Theme music by Podington Bear. Additional music Beachheads and Iris by Podington Bear soundofpicture.com. 

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