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.

2023 HURRICANE SEASON: INLAND LOUISIANA

With all that has happened, we Louisianans know another major hurricane will test us. There have been so many evacuations and losses on the Gulf Coast these last few years. Coastal families know how to prepare. 

Inland communities need to remember Hurricane Laura and the utility disruptions from the high winds. Hurricane Gustav brought flooding rains to Northeast Louisiana. Each Louisiana Parish and the State have fully developed hazard mitigation plan required under the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000. Any hazard that may visit upon your community has been analyzed and memorialized in these plans. It's very important you know your risk.

The State of Louisiana employees a lot of talented people to help us prepare, respond and recover. WE ALL NEED TO REMEMBER that it's impossible to evacuate thousands of people, destroy their homes and infrastructure, and expect logistical perfection. It’s not possible.

Inland Louisiana needs to prepare. This includes everyone.

A. Families
B. Special Needs

C. Public and Private Sector
D. Critical Facilities and Infrastructure

I don’t remember a time when it was so important for all of us to prepare. The conflict in Europe has cast a long shadow of uncertainty ahead. For more information on how to prepare, visit Ready.gov and contact your Parish Office of Homeland Security.

NOAA Peak Atlantic Hurricane Season Chart

                       

Source: NOAA, FEMA, GOHSEP and Local Knowledge

Tom M.

Louisiana Levees: "Watch Louisiana Grow"

In my earliest years, we lived on Johnson Street one block north of the papermill in West Monroe, Louisiana. When the papermill whistle blew at noon each day, my grandfather walked home for lunch. He would bring my brother and I, a paper bag hat. I have great memories waiting on the porch for him to come home at lunch.

It was great living next to my grandparents. If I got in trouble, grandmother would try to help me out without overstepping. I had no idea at the time, but that was probably my first introduction to diplomacy. The second came when I was old enough to understand the communication maneuver President John Fitzgerald Kennedy used when responding to Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev in 1962. It was about that time I discovered Walter Cronkite and the blue marble. It would be many years later before I appreciated my grandmother’s diplomatic qualities.

There was a wedding photograph in mom’s photo album that always sparked my curiosity. It was a picture of their car with the words “Watch Louisiana Grow” painted on the trunk. I went through my childhood not getting a good answer to what that meant. The day I figured it out, I let it everyone know I figured it out.

In 2022, the City of West Monroe continues to grow and prosper. We have become everything we are under the protection of our levee system. I’m sure this is true in many Louisiana communities. We are very fortunate to have the Tensas Basin Levee District maintaining the levee system and their decades of flood fighting experience. The Ouachita River Levee System has held back some infamous floods including 1945, 1958, 1983 and 1991.

Sometimes I think the bureaucrats in Washington need to be reminded Louisiana has vast natural resources and are part of the revenue stream that supports this nation. Then United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) needs to meet its maintenance obligations. This will ensure communities thrive and generate perpetual operating revenues for the federal government.  

The levees have cultural significance. From their role during the Christmas Celebrations, to the time you counted stars while sitting on the levee.    

The levee system must be maintained.

Ouachita River Levee System History (see source)

The Ouachita River Levee and Floodwall extends from Bastrop, levee station 0+00, in the north to just north of Sandy Bayou in the south, levee station 5585+00, for a total distance of approximately 105.8 miles. In general, the Ouachita River Levee runs along the south bank of Bayou Bartholomew to levee station 700+00 and then follows the Ouachita River along its east bank to the vicinity of Sandy Bayou. A portion of the Ouachita River Levee between the end of the existing levee (levee station 5585+00) and Sandy Bayou is authorized, but has not been constructed.

The Ouachita River Levee from Bastrop (Station 0+00) to Monroe (Station 2270+00) was constructed by the Federal Government under the authority of Section 1 of the Flood Control Act of 1928. This part of the Ouachita River levee system is 43 miles in length. This work was completed in 1934. There were, however, portions of this levee which were not constructed. These no-work reaches are located in areas of high ground between stations 0+00 and 500+00.

The Ouachita River Levee from Monroe (Station 2270+00) south to near Sandy Bayou (Station 5585+00) was construction under the provisions of Section 6 of the Flood Control Act of 1928. This levee was constructed in individual reaches over a period of several years. The last reach was completed in 1937. The length of the levee system is 62.8 miles. Construction was authorized to Station 5900+00; however, the lower 5.9 miles have not been constructed.

The Flood Control act of 1950 incorporated these levees described above into the Ouachita River and Tributaries Project.

The Flood Control Acts of 1950, 1965, and 1966 authorized completion of the no-work reaches within the city of Monroe. Construction consisted of floodwalls and was completed in 1977.

The existing levees, except for the closure of the Monroe Floodwall authorized in 1965 and Levee Enlargement (Station 2270+00 to 2931+49) were generally constructed to a design grade based on the flow line for the 1932 flood, plus freeboard, with a standard cross section dimension of a 10-foot roadway crown with a riverside slope of 1 on 3 and a landside slope of 1 on 4. Since design and construction of the levee system occurred over a number of years, the final grade for various segments of the project are actually based on different flow criteria. During 1955, a restudy of the Ouachita River flow lines was made as part of the Mississippi River and Tributaries (MR&T) review report. The results of this restudy provided the justification for increasing the authorized levee grades to what became known as the 1956 Project Design Levee Grade (the 1956 Project Design Flow Line, plus 3 feet of freeboard). This levee grade was approved by the President, Mississippi River Commission, on 23 December 1955, as an element of the MR&T Review Report which the Office, Chief of Engineers (HQUSACE), reviewed and approved.

The major factors which contributed to raising the levee design grade were an increase in flows on the Ouachita River as a result of extensive drainage improvements to tributary streams and a loss of storage area as a result of construction of the Ouachita River Levee system.

Sources: Newspaper.com, USACE, NOAA, Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How it Changed America, Tracy Hilburn and Local Knowledge

Tom M.

1932 Flood and the Great Depression: Insights

The day Governor John Bel Edwards closed the schools, it got real for Louisiana. By April of 2020, the onset of the pandemic was being felt across the southland. Nonessential employees stayed home from work, schools were closed, and the nation was on a steep learning curve. If we were to experience a 1930s era depression, a recovery plan would be needed to bring us back from economic ruin.  At that moment no one knew where the bottom to this calamity was. A post pandemic recovery framework was developed.

In the planning process I recalled the 1932 flood in Ouachita Parish and the fact it happened during an economic crisis. There were some parallels between the pandemic and the flood.

The 1932 flood visited upon Ouachita Parish five years after the infamous 1927 flood. There was media reporting in late December the river would make forty feet, by Christmas. The ole river watchers said the river would keep rising and it did. Special meetings were held in the City of West Monroe and the City of Monroe to prepare. With the river above flood stage, the deluge came in January and brought the flood.

Water surrounded First West and you needed a boat on South Grand Steet and the downtown. The flood occurred at a time when Northeast Louisiana was in the throes of the Great Depression. Relief groups were having a hard time meeting basic needs before the flood and it got harder.

City of Monroe Mayor Arnold Bernstein established a committee to coordinate flood relief efforts. The City of West Monroe, Ouachita Parish Police Jury, Red Cross, Salvation Army, Ouachita National Bank and other relief organizations participated.

The relief committee distinguished unemployment relief from flood relief. They focused on the economic problems existing before the flood began. The relief committee managed an economic crisis and an epic flood. There are valuable insights provided by this piece of local history.

Just as we were planning to manage an economic crisis and a health disaster. We know they were successful in 1932. We are still here.

Extra, extra read all about it.

“In April 1932, flood control for West Monroe was the subject of a round-table discussion of the West Monroe Kiwanis club at its weekly meeting. The club is ready to cooperate with engineers in any manner possible, such as making surveys and rights of way, for the purpose of providing West Monroe with protection against floods. Dr. T L. Hood is chairman of the club's flood control committee.” – The Monroe News-Star  

Source: Newspaper.com, Thomas Aiello, Louisiana Historical Association, The Monroe News-Star and local knowledge

Tom M.

The Town Talk
Alexandria, Louisiana
06 Jan 1932, Wed • Page 1

Researched by Tom Malmay

2014 Columbia, MS Christmas Tornado: A grassroots recovery for the people by the people

The Christmas Season is a special time of year in the southland. In the Monroe-West Monroe area, we will celebrate Christmas to exhaustion, savoring every moment. It was December 23rd and I was doing some last-minute gift wrapping when the storm reports started coming in. Columbia, Mississippi had been struck by a violent tornado and there were fatalities and injuries. All I could think about was everyone’s Christmas being swirled and deposited in a heap of rubble.

Then I did what I always do at moments like this. I ask God, “how can this be part of your plan.” Reminding him these were his children, as if he needed to be reminded. God and I go way back on this conversation. On Sunday, June 1, 1997, I got mad at God. I was out counting damaged houses and told him, “I am not in church because I am out here helping your people. You did this. This was your storm that tore the place up. The least you could do is help us with a SBA.” Before the day was over, I did ask for forgiveness. While I may not understand what God does, I believe there is no end to his mercy, and I follow him. We did get an SBA Declaration. I said thank you.

A Response and Recovery Center was established at Woodlawn Church located on Old Highway 98 East in Columbia, Ms. They had established themselves as “Columbia Strong.” Not to long after the tornado the Columbia Strong Recovery Team messaged an URGENT NEED via social media across the south. They needed can openers, the manual kind. As I read the message, I thought how humbling.

The National Weather Service quickly published the tornado track data from their survey. I published the tornado track in a webmap application for the volunteers to use. I had been in contact with Esri and Eight Days of Hope and made plans to travel to Columbia, MS where I linked up with my good friend Stephen Pratt.

From the moment I arrived at the church, I could tell they had a management structure in place. A kid greeted me at the door. He ask me my name and my business. He went inside and got the person I was there to meet. I was then taken inside the church. When I looked around the room, it was like an early 20^th century sepia photograph except the people had IPads and cell phones. They looked like they knew what they were doing. No doubt this organization had structure, and it was grassroots. I was so proud of what I saw. They were helping a lot of people with all kinds of needs. They had no expectation of federal help due to the damage threshold requirements. There was a PA and SBA declaration. The webmap application was being used to help manage donations. Some people lost everything and needed everything.

This was the first of three application designed to catch social media channels. The next version had the track divided into sections for management purposes

Team Rubicon, Eight Days of Hope and Meredith Lee with the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) were all there working and helping the people. I was told the local government, Homeland Security and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency ratified this operation by the people and for the people. It was effective and they did a great job. All heroes in my book.

The good people of Columbia, MS adopted Isaiah 9:10 as their mantra following the December 2014 tornado. I heard them speak it and saw it painted on a damaged store front.

Isaiah 9:10 "The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with dressed stone; the fig trees have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars."

Note: Somewhere on Youtube there is a piece of video of a business being struck by this storm. If you listen, you will hear an authentic 21^st century “rebel yell” as the storm makes impact. Every veteran will understand.

If you find yourself in Columbia, MS and drive by Woodlawn Church, give a salute to those patriots for a job well done.

National Weather Service Storm Database Report

Episode Narrative - During the afternoon of Dec 23, just enough ingredients came together to support numerous severe storms ahead of a cold front. Across the Lower Mississippi River Valley, peak heating contributed to decent instability in the developing warm sector in advance of the front. Sufficient low level wind shear and strong winds aloft were also in place as a decent upper low was located to our north. This helped to support organized thunderstorm activity along with quite a few supercell storms.

A long lived, persistent, storm tracked across the southeastern counties (near Columbia, Mississippi to Sumrall and Laurel to Heidelberg, Mississippi line) and produced multiple tornadoes. Widespread damage occurred in southern Columbia and near Laurel. Additional damage occurred across Marion, Jones and Clarke counties. Sadly, five confirmed fatalities occurred, with three near Columbia in Marion County and two near Laurel in Jones County. Severe storms moved out of the region by late afternoon to early Tuesday evening. The front continued to track through the area through the evening of December 23.

Event Narrative - This tornado first touched down just east of the Pearl River just south of Columbia. It quickly became strong and moved northeast impacting the southeast side of Columbia. The tornado remained on the ground through Marion County before lifting as it approached the Lamar County line. Numerous businesses, homes, mobile homes, a National Guard building and power poles and lines were heavily damaged or destroyed by the tornado. One well-built home was mostly destroyed and nearly reduced to a slab. This home received the highest damage rating. Extensive tree damage also occurred along the path of the storm. Maximum wind speed of this tornado was 165mph.

Special thank you to the National Weather Service and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA)

Sources: National Weather Service, Eight Days of Hope, Columbia Strong, MEMA and Team Rubican and local knowledge.

Tom M.

1893 Sea Island Hurricane: Leadership, planning and wisdom

In 2008, I was in Iowa working on an epic flood. Most of the counties were declared federal disasters. This was a hard flood that included tornadoes. Parkersburg, IA was struck by a violent tornado during the flood. One evening in my hotel room, I was researching some late 19^th century disasters for my work. I ran across an article about an East Coast Governor asking the American Red Cross for help. Not only did he ask for help, he showed leadership doing it. I sent an email to myself so I would remember to come back and research this story. Years later, I did finish researching this amazing story.

The August 1893 Sea Island Hurricane was one of the deadliest hurricanes in American History killing an estimated two thousand and leaving thirty thousand homeless. By all accounts the devastation was complete. Benjamin Ryan Tillman was the Governor of South Carolina when the storm struck. The Governor quickly realized the response and recovery needed more coordination. He needed experienced help.

In September 1893, Governor Tillman and his staff met with Clara Barton and her Red Cross team at a hotel in Charleston, SC. Prior to the meeting, the American Red Cross had already assessed the stricken area. She did some reconnaissance like any good soldier or corporate executive would do. Clara Barton went into the meeting knowing more about the storm impact and the needs than the State did.

NOTE – If you’re asking FEMA or the State for help, you need to know more about what happened to your community than they do. Pull your impact data together and analyze. As Art Jones use to say in the 1990s, “document, document, document.” Don’t walk into a meeting knowing less than the other parties. Tell your story with facts.

Governor Tillman and Clara Barton agreed the American Red Cross would take over the response and recover operations. She asked the Governor to leave his management structure in place until the American Red Cross management structure was brought online. They did a joint news release stating the American Red Cross would assume responsibility for the response and recovery operations. 

I have always believed this action by the Governor made him look wise and secure. Clara Barton was smart. Her diplomatic skills were masterful. She helped the people of South Carolina and the Governor.  

Note – Recovery management structures change and evolve over the life of the disaster. 

In a message to the South Carolina General Assembly in November 1893, Governor Tillman suspended tax collection in the devastated area. The Governor had a heart, as well as being wise.

The American Red Cross was founded in 1881. By the time the 1893 struck, the American Red Cross had amassed just over a decade of experience. That experience was brought to bear on the Sea Island Hurricane. Seven years later all their experience would be needed in response to the 1900 Galveston Hurricane. Clara was 79 years old when she arrived in Galveston. She and her team did amazing recovery work. 

Sources: Newspaper.com, Beaufort County Library Records, NOAA, American Red Cross, and the New Georgia Encyclopedia   

Tom M.

OUR FLOOD HISTORY IS TALKING TO US

The Mississippi River highwater conditions in the spring of 2011, rivaled the flood levels of the 1927 flood. This time the levees held. Northeast Louisiana was spared a chocolate tide of water, mud and stench. It’s hard to imagine the economic losses that were prevented. The success in 2011 was a victory that should be remembered and celebrated.

A levee failure damages a region twice. There is the physical damage from the water, then the damage to the brand. People will talk about the levee failure for decades. This is not conducive to economic development. The 5^th Levee District and the Tensas Basin Levee District both stood a vigilant watch in 2011. A reflection of character, tradition and understanding the hardship of a flood. 

This was not the first Mississippi River highwater that justified the call to action in recent years. I recall State Representative Francis Thompson rallying the region during the 1997 highwater and the planning efforts of Tensas Parish Emergency Manager Rick Foster. We all learned about the "Chocolate Tide" scenario together.

In the late summer of 1927, the floodwaters were subsiding. Flood Czar Herbert Hoover rallied the nation for flood control. In an August 1927 interview, he gave an accounting of the flood and talked about legislation to reduce the flooding. A reporter asked, "Then the people of the valley can feel that they can go to sleep in the belief that the problem is solved?". Mr. Hoover responded, "You can never go to sleep on anything in this world. Now is the time as never before to keep efficiently functioning the organization born of this flood disaster."

What was he talking about? What did he mean by, “Now is the time as never before to keep efficiently functioning the organization born of this flood disaster."

President Coolidge had appointed U.S. Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover to manage the 1927 flood relief efforts. He coordinated with multiple states, the American Red Cross, the Army and other organizations. He rallied the nation to support relief efforts. He was saying, our team fought the flood, we will recover together, and we will make the case for flood control legislation together.

This is our history talking to us.

We must keep our team born of the 2016 flood disaster together to once again legislate flood risk reduction.

Source: Owensboro Inquirer KY, Newspaper.com, Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How it Changed America and local knowledge.

Tom M.

The Clarksdale Press Register
Clarksdale, Mississippi
23 Apr 1927, Sat • Page 1

Researched by Tom Malmay

Storm Story: 1989 Hailstorm and Flash Flood

In our storm history, three inch diameter hail has been recorded in Ouachita Parish on at least two occasions. This includes the 1989 hailstorm and flash flood. Hailstorm generates a lot of debris. Following a hailstorm communities need to rapidly clear the drainage network. 

Below are some nuggets of information from the 1989 Hailstorm.

On May 4^th and 5^th 1989, we experienced a hailstorm, followed by a flash flood. This event was federally declared. The story passed down on this storm is the debris from the hailstorm exacerbated the flash flooding.  People drove cars for years the Bonnie and Clyde death car for those old enough to remember. There were not enough roofers. Then there was the cleanup from the flooding. 

Historical Note: In the late 1960s or early 1970s, the Bonnie and Clyde death car was on tour. It came to Monroe, LA. It could be seen in the Sears parking lot on Louisville Avenue. You paid a couple of bucks to walk though the trailer to see the death car. It made quite an impression.

GIS Analyst - The damage area for a hailstorm is referred to as a hail swath. We have talked a lot about our processes to analyze flood inundations areas and tornado track polygons. The hail swath analysis are essentially the same methodology. First map the hail swath, then analyzed the polygon for demographics and businesses estimates within. 

      May 4-5 1989, NWS Storm Report

We have a lot of emergency managers working hard to protect the people. You are appreciated.

Source: National Weather Service, Newspaper.com and local knowledge.

Tom M.

Dread on the Delta: The Mississippi Delta Outbreak of 1971

The Mississippi Delta Outbreak of 1971 produced violent tornadoes in Northeast Louisiana and Mississippi. A lot of lives were lost that February day. About sixteen years ago I met a lady that saw this storm at a planning meeting. From her body language, facial expressions and voice, she saw this storm. From all accounts it was a monster. The storm struck Sunday, February 21, 1971.

When I was a kid our family traveled to Huntsville, Alabama once a year to see relatives. We drove U.S. Hwy 80 and crossed that rickety Mississippi River Bridge with the railroad alongside. My dad would always point out where the tornado crossed the highway.

This is where the storm story begins.

The funnel cloud was first sighted northwest of Crowville, LA in Franklin Parish at 2:45 p.m. The tornado touched down south of U.S. Highway 80 and moved through the Waverly Community at 3:10 p.m. It completely demolishing a farmstead on Jones Bayou, killing 10 members of one family. One surviving youth suffered a broken back. Three other houses and a country church were destroyed. Trees and power lines were downed as the storm moved to the Northeast at 50 mph. into East Carroll Parish. It tracked through unpopulated areas as it closed in on the Melbourne Community.

In the Pecan Road area of the Melbourne Community, located south of Transylvania on LA. Highway 65, homes and trailers were damaged. Farm equipment thrown about, and the Pecan Orchard was heavily damaged. More damage was done, and lives lost as these storms moved into Mississippi.

Severe Weather Plan
Make sure there is a severe weather plan everywhere your family members are. This includes the home, business, school, childcare, church, governmental institutions and anywhere else they may be.

Develop your severe weather plan on a Blue-Sky day.

Source: NWS, Newspaper.com and local knowledge

Tom M.

The Monroe News-Star
Monroe, Louisiana 22 Feb 1971, Mon • Page 1
Researched by Tom Malmay

©2022 Tom Malmay