and in attitude, New Orleans and the areas surrounding her were and are uniquely different. Her differences spilled into the Gulf Coast, creating a distinctive dynamic existing to the present time.
The pre-Katrina Gulf Coast presented an abundant mix of activity and commerce. These qualities, punctuated by a diversity of culture, made the area unique and exhilarating. From New Orleans extending eastward along the Mississippi and Alabama Gulf Coast, a special climate of excitement was presented…from spicy Cajun food to that special New Orleans jazz sound…to casinos sitting on white beaches and the pristine warmth of the Gulf Coast capturing the adoration of tourists all over the world.
The climate of the Gulf Coast (subtropical in the south and temperate in the north) combined with the rich alluvial soils lend to a strong agricultural economy. Such conditions make the region one of the nation’s leading producers of such crops as rice, sweet potatoes and sugarcane. Other cash crops coming from the region are soybeans, cotton, hay and pecans.
The warm Gulf waters nourished by sediment-rich water from the Mississippi and Pearl Rivers yield major industries for fishing, shrimp, menhaden, and oysters. Louisiana is also a leading fur-trapping state supplying most of country's muskrat furs. Pelts are also obtained from mink, opossums, otter, and raccoon. The availability of abundant natural resources has contributed to New Orleans’ growth as a significant industrial and distribution center, making it one of the busiest seaports in the world.
Like Houston, New Orleans is located in proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and supports many oil rigs lying offshore. A substantial number of energy companies have their regional headquarters in the area, including BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and Shell Oil Company. New Orleans is the home and worldwide headquarters of 2 Fortune 500 companies: Entergy Corporation, an energy and infrastructure providing company, and Freeport-McMoRan, a copper and gold exploration company.
Additionally, the Federal government enjoys a significant presence in the area. The NASA Michoud Assembly Facility is located in the eastern portion of Orleans Parish. This facility is operated by Lockheed-Martin and is a large manufacturing facility where external fuel tanks for space shuttles are produced. The Michoud Assembly Facility also houses the National Finance Center operated by the USDA. Other companies with a significant presence or base in New Orleans include BellSouth, Hibernia Corp., IBM, Navtech, Harrah's (downtown casino), Popeye's Fried Chicken and Zatarain's.
The Port of New Orleans handles about 84 million short tons of cargo a year. The Port of South Louisiana, based in the New Orleans suburb of LaPlace, handles 199 million short tons. The 2 combined to form the largest port in the world by bulk tonnage.
About 5,000 ships from nearly 60 nations dock at the Port of New Orleans annually. Chief exports are grain and other foods from the Midwestern United States and petroleum products. Leading imports include chemicals, cocoa beans, coffee and petroleum. The port handles more trade with Latin America than does any other U.S. gateway, including Miami.
New Orleans is also a busy port for barges. They use the nation’s main inland waterways, the Mississippi River and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, which meet at New Orleans. The port of New Orleans handles about 50,000 barges yearly. Ferries cross the river near the Garden district and the French Quarter; these ferries are free of charge to pedestrians, but motorists pay a $1 fee to cross on them.
New Orleans is also one of the most visited cities in the United States, and tourism is a major staple in the area's economy. The city's colorful Carnival celebrations during the pre-Lenten season, centered on the French Quarter, draw particularly large crowds. Other major tourist events and attractions in the city include Mardi Gras, the Sugar Bowl, and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
Additionally, and of significance, particularly with respect to the destruction caused by Katrina, is the fact that 48% of the hazardous chemicals coming into the city, come through the Port of New Orleans. The extent of chemical storage units and containers created an incredible challenge for the New Orleans Fire Department’s Special Operations Units in charge of Hazardous Wastes.
In considering the affects of Katrina, one must consider the economic and cultural aspects of the region to truly appreciate the impact that Katrina had on a thriving regional commerce and perhaps how she affected the economics of the country based on the Gulf Coast contributions to our economics and gross national product. Her presence and passing left a significant mark in history for the people, the region, and our country.
“Hurricane Pam was so very prescient. And yet Katrina highlighted many, many weaknesses that either were not anticipated by Pam, or were lessons learned but not heeded.
“That’s probably the most painful thing about Katrina, and the tragic loss of life: the foreseeability of it all.”
Chairman Tom Davis
Select Committee Hearing, December 14 th , 2005
In the past, the Gulf Coast has felt the wrath of many hurricanes. As far back as mid-1700, flooding, storms, and nature’s wrath have all been a part of living along the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Over the years, many reports from entities such as the United States Geological Society, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Louisiana Hurricane Center, and an array of academic research institutions have expressed concern over the hurricane and flood destruction potential particularly with respect to New Orleans and her outlying parishes.
On March 1st, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department was to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. In July of 2004, the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) performed a joint hypothetical study with scientist at Louisiana State University and local government officials. The Hurricane Pam simulation was designed and run by a private contractor, Baton Rouge-based Innovative Emergency Management Inc. (IEM). FEMA issued the ‘Request for Proposal’ in 2004 asking for speedy execution of the simulated disaster planning project. This 5-day exercise used realistic weather and damage information developed by the National Weather Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the LSU Hurricane Center, and other state and federal agencies to help officials develop joint response plans for a catastrophic hurricane in Louisiana. The data was analyzed and processed by a computer model developed by Dr. Ivan Van Heerden.
Hurricane Pam rode into New Orleans with an agenda incorporating weather and damage information developed by the National Weather Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the LSU Hurricane Center, and other government agencies.
According to the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina, Pam was a Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of 120 miles per hour. She brought over 20 inches of rain throughout Southeast Louisiana and storm surges that over-topped the levees in New Orleans. In her wake, over 1,000,000 residents evacuated,
