HCR 124 STATE REPRESENTATIVE LARRY SELDERS HELPING THE PEOPLE

HCR 124 - To urge and request the Legislative Budgetary Control Council to study the feasibility of creating a disaster and assistance relief fund administered by the legislature.

In the last few years there has been countless severe weather episodes that inflicted hardship on families but did not meet the federal disaster declaration threshold. Over the last 20 years Louisiana has seen the nation’s costliest storms. Until we reduce our risk to all-hazards across the State of Louisiana, we need the disaster and assistance relief fund to help our people.

In 2004, a tornado struck Olla, LA and moved Northeast into Caldwell Parish. In the damage path were hardworking people that never ask for anything. The threshold to trigger the FEMA Individual Assistance was not met. I vividly remember the Caldwell Police Jury President telling his congressman, “You got money to help people in other countries, you got money to help Caldwell Parish.” I never forgot that meeting. Dale Powell was the Homeland Security Director. He did an awesome job.

A few weeks later a tornado touch down in Southern Arkansas just across the Louisiana border. There was at least one fatality and injuries. Within days Governor Huckaby could be seen helping his people with monetary assistance. The State of Arkansas has a State Disaster Relief Fund. Due to the number of tornadoes and flash floods, Arkansas needed the fund to help its citizenry in cases where the threshold for federal assistance is not met.

In Louisiana we are so fortunate to have volunteer organizations like the United Way, Salvation Army and American Red Cross. They are always there to help us. These awesome organizations do not relieve the State of Louisiana of its responsibilities to help our people.

Until Louisiana reduces its risk to all-hazards across the State, we need to establish the disaster and assistance relief fund to help our people.

Thank you, Representative Larry Selders for caring about Louisiana.

Source: Louisiana Legislative website, FEMA, NOAA and local knowledge.

Tom M.

All-Hazards Risk Communications

Following North Louisiana’s 2021 Valentine's Day Winter Storm, and Hurricanes Laura, Delta and Ida, I reviewed many news reports and social media commentary. I have always been interested in what people behavior before the storm and what they did to prepare. I read enough to wonder if we as a country need to review how we are communicating all-hazards risk to our population. Some of our people seemed surprised, even shocked their power and drinking water would be disrupted for two weeks following a category 4 hurricane. I made similar observations in the aftermath of the 2021 winter storm.

The public's role in preparedness and hazard mitigation is paramount. The more adversity families endure, the bigger the task by local and state government. By reducing the burden on families through mitigation and preparedness, the response and recovery efforts become more manageable. We need to mitigate high-risk areas and educate the population on their risks. There is uncertainty ahead. families need to prepare.

The local and state hazard mitigation plans (HMP) have come a long way since the passage of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000. The HMP's do a good job characterizing our hazard history and provide insights into our future conditions.

The population's response to the 2020-2021 hurricanes and winter storm is an indicator we need to review what and how we are communicating to the people on a Blue-Sky day. It may be helpful for the Louisiana Public Service Commission, Louisiana Department of Insurance, the Louisiana Hazard Mitigation Team, Power Companies and others applicable officials to convene a meeting to discuss and update our communication plans.

The general population and business owners need to understand their environment before the storm.

Sources: NOAA, FEMA, media, social media and local knowledge

Tom M.

INLAND LOUISIANA: COASTAL RESETTLEMENT

The Great October Storm of 1893, known locally as the “Cheniere Caminada hurricane,” brought devastation to Southeast Louisiana. Cheniere Caminada was a fishing village located in coastal Jefferson Parish just west of Grand Isle. The horrific storm took an estimated two thousand lives from Louisiana to Alabama. In Cheniere Caminada, many of the 779 deaths were children killed by the surge or crushed by the roofs of their home.

Following the 1893 storm, there was talk of abandoning the barrier island of Grand Isle and the region. I have read accounts from the late 19^th and early 20^th century where communities came together after a calamity to decide to rebuild or move on. The people would gather with leaders from their biggest employer. This would include the bank and the mayor to set a path forward. So, it was not unusual to openly question whether a community should rebuild or not.  

On October 14, 1893, The Times-Picayune, a New Orleans newspaper, published an article titled, “A Region not to be Abandon.” The journalist did a great job promoting the region. He rationalized and compared our hurricane risks to other parts of the country.

"People do not desert California or Charleston because the latter has once been shaken by an earthquake, and in spite of the fact that the Gold State has been repeatedly visited by such terrifying forces. It may be some time before property owners at Grand Isle rally sufficiently to rebuild their improvements, but, sooner or later, they will do so."

                          Times-Picayune excerpt from “A Region not to be Abandon”

Under threat

In 2023, we still rationalize and compare our risks to other States. The people on the Louisiana Gulf Coast have suffered from multiple hurricane impacts, subsidence, coastal erosion and sea levels rise. Long before their recovery from the 2020 and 2021 hurricane seasons is complete, they will likely be struck again by another storm.

Louisiana's coast will look very different in the coming decades. We need to plan and act on a Blue-Sky Day. 

Governor Bluefish

Inland communities need to prepare for the “Governor Bluefish" scenario. In this scenario, families evacuate inland, and the Gulf of Mexico reclaims their land. They have no geography to rebuild upon after the storm passes. They become perpetual evacuees stranded in the host shelter Parish.  

Strategy

At this moment, people are organically relocating themselves. They’re tired and running low on resources and opportunities. A strategy needs to be developed to assist coastal communities with resettlement in a methodical fashion. 

The development of a strategy will take time. Families will need to be stabilized while the plans are being made. 

There is room for families and businesses in Central and North Louisiana.  

Sources: Newspaper.com, NOAA, FEMA and Local knowledge

Tom M.

Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - When The Levee Breaks (Glastonbury 2022)

                                                                                                                     ©2022 Tom Malmay

DISASTERS ARE HARD ON PEOPLE

It is so important we all review our family plans, assemble disaster supply kits, review how we receive information and review family communications. There has never been a more important time to prepare than this moment.

Disasters are hard on people. It's even harder if you don't have a plan.

Many years ago, I was working in a coastal EOC following the landfall of a major hurricane. All the days had run together, no one was sleeping, and it was very tropical. I was at my desk and this lady from logistics tapped on my shoulder and said, "Are you Tom?" I replied, "yes." She said, "I need you to meet this man. He needs some tarps." I said, "As soon as I complete this resource request, I will meet with him."

A few minutes later she came back and said, "Tom you need to come now, he is a business leader, and he needs some help." I said, "okay" and went to meet him. This fella was tall. I'm 5'9" and I had to look up at him. This guy was big.

He said, "Sir, I need some tarps. We need to cover these billboards cause I'm running for President. We need to help the people." I looked at him and felt a slight weakness in my gut. We just stood there for a second, but it seemed like minutes. He then collapsed to the floor and begam sobbing in the fetal position. I looked up and there were two priests standing there. I don't know where they came from. They weren't in the room when I walked in. I looked at the priests and said, "Do something with him, or I'm going to be just like him in about 2 minutes." I then stepped over him like a broken tree limb to resume my duties.

A few days later, I demobilized and went home. About two months later, I woke up at 2 a.m. and remembered stepping over that fella like a broken tree limb. The guilt was eating me. I did not go back to sleep. I called the EM later that morning. They were able to track down the status of that fella. He was okay. No one is sure about the priests that were in the room.

That was so long ago and there have been so many storms since then. These floods and hurricanes are hard on people.

We must reduce our risk to all hazards.

Sources: American Red Cross, Ready.gov, NOAA and local knowledge

Tom M.

Photograph provided by NOAA - The Great Mississippi River Flood of 1927A refugee camp at Vicksburg, Mississippi, on May 3, 1927. This was a nice camp on high ground. Many refugees had to live on the levees for months until the water receded. Monthly Weather Review Supplement No. 29.

                                                                                                            ©2022 Tom Malmay

Catahoula Parish: A champion for change

In February 1893, it was reported in a New Brunswick, NJ newspaper that thousands of people were on the verge of starvation in Concordia and Catahoula Parishes. The floods from the previous summer destroyed their crops and the water remained on the ground so long, it was impossible to plant cotton or anything else. Hundreds of people moved away. Those that remained are said to have sustained themselves on wild game.

Many floods later and a good measure of levee construction, Catahoula Parish is doing better. But with manmade flood control, we have to account for the water we impound. Cities and towns along the Red and Ouachita River continue to develop.

In 2022, Catahoula Parish needs help reducing their flood risk. Fortunately, this community has a flood control champion. Ellis Boothe serves as the Homeland Security Director for Catahoula Parish. He follows a tradition of making sure his community is prepared. The late Debra Renda, another Catahoula Parish Champion followed the same tradition.

A few years ago, I was at a Restore Louisiana meeting being held in Monroe, Louisiana. Ellis was sitting next to me. We listened to the discussions on funding for flood control and the proposed watershed initiative. I turned slightly to see how Ellis was processing the discussion. I could tell he was a bit agitated. A few minutes later, he said, “Tom, I can’t stand it, I have to speak.” I said, “Ellis go do your job.”  

Ellis went to the front of the room and gave us all some medicine that day. He described the water from the Red River, Ouachita River, Black River and the Mississippi River all impacting his community. What he had to say is true. All points north were sending their water to his community. Catahoula Parish was heard that day.

The Louisiana Watershed Initiative has produced some great partnerships. The Catahoula partnership is important to the good people of Catahoula and Ouachita Parishes. Representatives from Ouachita Parish routinely advocate for Catahoula Parish in regional meetings. Ouachita and Caldwell Parish are currently supporting one another on their respective DRA applications.

Ellis still gives us medicine when he walks into the room at a meeting. But it’s a good reminder of what we’re working toward.

NOTE - All my media friends. Contact Ellis Boothe to talk about the river parishes and what needs to be done. 

Thank you, Ellis.

Source: Newspaper.com, Smithsonian and Local Knowledge

Photograph provided by U.S. Wildlife and Fisheries

Tom M.

GOVERNOR BLUEFISH

Note - There are a number of reports that cite a lack of imagination and creativity as the reason for a poor emergency management response throughout our history. I wrote "Governor Bluefish" to ensure we would not repeat that citation. 

2023 Hurricane Awareness Week

Unlike other coastal states, Louisiana’s annual hurricane preparations are cultural. So many of the great storms in our history have significantly altered the lands surface. By definition, Louisiana has truly experienced multiple catastrophes. We’ll start with the 1865 Last Island Hurricane that author Jennifer Blake wrote about in her book "The Midnight Waltz." By the way, she hails from Jackson Parish, Louisiana.

As we start the 2023 Hurricane Season, there's a lot to think about with all that has happened the last few years. North Louisiana is prepared to care for our coastal families should another storm threaten the Gulf Coast. Hurricane Laura was still a hurricane when it moved through the northern territories of Louisiana. In 2008, Hurricane Gustav brought flooding rains to Northeast Louisiana. All history we need to remember and pass down to our kids and grandkids.

Make your family plan on a Blue-Sky Day.

BACKGROUND

I have wondered if Hurricanes Laura and Ida will be remembered as the impetus for inland resettlement of coastal families from high-risk areas. I believe inland migration is underway now. Families and business deciding to resettle in North Louisiana would be warmly welcomed.

There are three types of migration. The first, is 1) organic migration like we’re experiencing now. Families get tired and decide to move, or 2) planned migration where there is a state strategy to help families and businesses relocate or 3) The Augustine Incident. Families evacuate inland from an approaching storm. Once the storm clears, officials report their land was taken by the surge. North Louisiana is their new home. 

STORM STORY: NARRATIVE

In early August, Tropical Storm Augustine meandered around in the Gulf of Mexico as a tropical storm before setting a course for Louisiana. Not many people evacuated thinking it would not rapidly intensify in the final hours before landfall. It came ashore as a strong CAT 4 and stalled a few miles inland for 12 hours.

STORM STORY: TWO DAYS LATER

Mayor Stevens, I’m John Graves, Saint DeSiard Parish President. “Good to meet you John, this is Barbara my assistant. Let’s go to my office.” 

Mayor, thank you for taking care of our people. We’re hearing the storm surge took our land, and most of what’s left is cut-off. I need to use your council chambers to conduct some Parish business and hold a press conference. I’ve already setup a call with the Governor to get our people registered to vote. Looks like North Louisiana is home now. 

“John, I’m going to need a few minutes. Let’s meet in an hour.” As the door closed, Mayor Stevens called out to his assistant. “Barbara, get the attorney over here and find our Homeland Security Director right now. Tell him to get over here. I want to know how many people we’re sheltering.”

STORM STORY: FOUR DAYS LATER

Barbara, help me write a quick letter to the Governor.

Dear Governor Bluefish,

We have so many people here with nothing but the clothes on their back. We have so many needs. They have no geography to call home. We will do our best but need help with mass care and planning ahead. Everyone is exhausted.

Once we get the situation stabilized, we will need a jobs package to put people to work. We will need to upgrade our water and sewer infrastructure, expand our schools, libraries and healthcare system. Put affordable housing to the list. Can you provide a team to help me get these needs into a formal request? No one has slept in days.

No more talk about voter registration, you hear me.

Thank you, Governor.

STORM STORY: LATE SEPTEMBER

Mayor Stevens, there's another tropical storm developing. 

Source: NHC, FEMA, NOAA, Louisiana Coastal Plan and Local knowledge  

Tom M.

NOAA - 2021 Hurricane Ida

Blue-Sky Planning: Community Preparedness

I woke up and could hear the heavy rain on the roof. I looked at the clock and listened. A few minutes later I looked at the clock again, listening to the rain. I was pretty good at judging how long before we started having problems. It was 1995, and it seemed like every rainfall was a heavy rainfall event. Being a retired Coast Guardsman, I always felt I needed to go to the office in case one of our partners needed something. Just like my old 41’ Search and Rescue boat, when the call it had to work.

The Coast Guard mantra is “Semper Paratus.” It takes commitment to live this mantra. If you’re interest in working in the emergency management field, be sure you understand the commitment to the community before you take the job. Moms, dads and their kids go to bed at night knowing a program is in place.

In 1998, FEMA Director James Lee Witt and Vice President Al Gore introduced “Project Impact” to the nation. I was all in, but not for the funding. My interest was capitalizing on the national risk reduction message and the community products. This program expired in 2000. The program was built on the principles of community partnerships and teamwork. I have always adhered to these principles, so it resonated with me instantly. They stand up in 2022.

If it’s been a while since you got the team together, no worries. This is your opportunity to build a strong 21st Century team to protect your community and reduce future risk from all-hazards. Use the partnership and teamwork principles to build your team. You are the emergency management subject matter expert. Advise your elected officials and take the initiative. Your team will help you advise.

Note – You have a lot of tools we didn’t have in the 1990s, beginning with all the advances in forecasting. In 2022, understand the hazards that threaten us better than ever before. GIS technology is playing a big role in reducing our risk to all hazards. Let's include email, WWW, smartphones and iPads.

Meet with your leadership people one on one. Get consensus on the core issues. This will take a little time. Meet with your elected officials, talk to them about the plan, tell them about the team and get consensus on the core issues. Check in with your attorney and treasurer. Then pull your team together and set a course that ensures you meet your EMPG and other operational requirements. This includes teaching the public to protect themselves, developing volunteer resources and training the team. Hold a press conference when the sun is out and show-off the team.

More than ever before, the community needs to see you preparing and you teaching the people to protect themselves.

Note - Bad days are for implementation. Do your consensus building on a blue-sky day.

The regional planning concept really got its start with an organization called SELSAR in Southeast Louisiana. It was more of a search and rescue organization. In Northeast Louisiana, the idea of Parishes working together came together in an agreement, signed on the deck of the Twin City Queen in the early 1990s. If there was any doubt in the value of regional planning, the 1997 Mississippi highwater took care of it. I have always credited Reynold Minsky, John Stringer, State Representative Francis Thompson and Rick Foster for getting us though that highwater. A more formal document was created in 2004, I think.

The regional network is only as strong as each community in the region. Get your team together, teach the people to protect themselves from all-hazards. There is uncertainty ahead.

I am very proud of the local work going on in NELA.

Sources: U.S. Coast Guard, FEMA and local knowledge

 Tom M.