CONFLICT IN EUROPE AND THE MIDDLE EAST: AMERICA'S CIVIL PREPAREDNESS PROGRAM

The next time you receive your daily digest of world news, remember this. The origin of the Homeland Security program began with conflict in Europe. In WW I the Council of National Defense was created. In WW II the Civilian Defense was established. The Mayor of New York had a lot to do with establishing the Civilian Defense.

The war in Europe was raging. Adding to the tensions, Americans were seeing reports about the civilian bombing campaigns. They were worried about attacks on U.S. Cities. In a letter to President Franklin Roosevelt, New York City Mayor Fiorello La Guardia wrote:

“There is a need for a strong Federal Department to coordinate activities, and not only to coordinate but to initiate and get things going. Please bear in mind that up to this war and never in our history, has the civilian population been exposed to attack. The new technique of war has created the necessity for developing new techniques of civilian defense.” – Source U.S. Homeland Security

President Franklin Roosevelt responded to these growing concerns creating the Office of Civilian Defense (OCD) in 1941.

Many years ago, I was at a meeting, and heard Ouachita Parish Police Juror Adele Ransom mention the Civilian Defense. After the meeting I went to ask her about that reference. I did not say a word, I just listened. She knew all about it.

The Cold War was a big influence. There was a time when accidental missile launch was a part of your local Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). The Civilian Defense transitioned to the Civil Defense. There were a number of laws passed over the years. FEMA was established in 1979 by Executive Order as a result of Three Mile Island.

The Civil Defense programs transitioned to the Office of Emergency Preparedness in the 1990s. During the 1990's the FEMA Director served as part of the President's Cabinet. Following the September 11th attacks, some fast decisions were made. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was created and organizations like FEMA were folded inside DHS.  Local and state programs transitioned to Homeland Security.

While a lot has changed, the basics have not. Make your plan on a blue-sky day. Build your management team. Teach your people how to prepare and mitigate their risk. Communicate with your people. Make your people part of the plan. Develop a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). 

So, the next time you see the latest war news from Europe, remember where you come from.

I am very proud of some of the local work going on in Northeast Louisiana.

Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, FEMA and local knowledge.

Tom 

                                                                                                 ©2023 Tom Malmay

HURRCANE IDA: ADVERSITY ON THE LOUISANA COAST

Note – Inspired by the people of Coastal Louisiana. We need to make a legislative change. No one should have to live this way. 

                          Hurricane Ida: Adversity on the Louisiana Gulf Coast

As God’s children fled to the northern territories of Louisiana, Hurricane Ida
unleashed its fury on Coastal Louisiana.

The people prayed, but they knew. They knew what dawn would bring.

The children of the north provided shelter, food and song.

Upon their return, the children lived in tents, camps and damaged homes as they
have so many times before.

And the working man told God, “I work so hard, I never ask for anything. Please
help your children a little longer.”

Tom M.

                                                                                                          ©2023 Tom Malmay

AMERCIAN MADE: THE SPIRIT OF TOMMY AND GINA

An Americana cultural reference from the music of the 1980s, Tommy and Gina represent the spirit of our unalienable rights and pursuit of happiness. They have always lived in America as part of the middle class.

Young and in love, it was Tommy and Gina against the world. They shouldered our tax burden, built America and defended us time and again.

This mix of youthful spirit and adolescent angst has no bounds. If you look closely, you can see Tommy and Gina. They are among us.

In 2022, Russia unjustly invaded Ukraine attacking its population centers with impunity. The world bore witness to the dead, dying and defiant civilians in the streets.

With their spirit of unalienable rights and pursuit of happiness, Tommy and Gina repelled the invasion. The fight in Ukraine has reminded the world who Tommy and Gina are, what they stand for, and what they bring to the table.

They are American Made.

Tom M.

Thank you, Bon Jovi - Living on a Prayer

                                                                                                                  ©2022 Tom Malmay

THE BLACK FLOOD: HELP WILL COME TO THE OUACHITA RIVER VALLEY

Note - "The Black Flood," was inspired by HUD's $100 Million dollar flood mitigation investment in Louisiana's ten most impacted and distressed (MID) Parishes (2016 flood). Ouachita Parish is one of the ten. The funding must bring flood risk reduction to low- and moderate-income areas. The people need help.

The Black Flood: Help will come to the Ouachita River Valley

It floods here so much when it rains. We pass our babies out the window to evacuate from the rising water. Help us Mr. Low-mod.

They say flood relief is coming, but I don’t know. I will leave this land.

The sea of brown water oozed like syrup around the community. The Black Flood lasted for days. It was so hard on the people.

The shooting at night, it scares the children. Stop the killing and the drugs Mr. Low-mod. Is there a program to help us?
. 
And God said to his children, "Why do you ask Mr. Low-mod for assistance? The good book tells you I am here and would never leave you. If you pray to heal this land, no man shall stand in the way. They will answer to me. I will bestow wisdom and direct these men to treat the land."  

Help will come to the Ouachita River Valley.

Tom M.

Marvin Gaye - What's Going on

                                                                                                            © 2023 Tom Malmay

Christmas in the Southland

The twister howled across the lake that night, as the 

kids were making their lists for Santa's visit Christmas 

night.

The neighborhood was excited by the roar of the train,
thinking Santa had come early on the Polar Express 

train.

The Christmas Angel took Peter by the hand. 

and ascended north, toward the Star of Bethlehem.

Each Christmas Eve the kids will gather and look 

toward the north, remembering their friend Peter and 

the savior that was born.

Isaiah 9:10 says, “The bricks have fallen down, But we
will rebuild with hewn stones; The sycamores are cut
down, But we will replace them with cedars.” We shall
build a stronger neighborhood in loving memory of our
childhood friend Peter.

                               

                                                                                  © 2022 Tom Malmay

THE HEALING

In a field on the outskirts of town, God’s children gathered at dusk. When the old men finished talking, it was quiet. The sun had set. The air was thick with kerosene and fresh woodchips were strewn upon the ground. The silence was broken by the gallop of horses as the men crossed the field carrying torches to light their way. The children let out a thunderous cheer when they lit the cross. The night sky glowed red from afar.

That was more than fifty years ago. The field is empty now. The collision of darkness with 20^th Century America gave rise to champions of freedom. Across the southland we remember their sacrifices. We remember their journey.

Today, the sun shines brightly, but the land remains unwell. Filled with life, color and song, we see the promise in all God’s children.

Precious in his sight, they will heal this land. 

Tom M.

U2 - Pride

                                                                                                   © 2022 Tom Malmay

The 1998 Kringle Ice Storm

The ice storm's fury pelted the 'Ville, 

As Christmas Eve darkened across Bawcomville.

Children from Rayville and towns all around, danced 

to Brenda Lee, as the lights flickered and went out.

Thunder! Crash! Kaboom! Blam! The night sky glowed 

red as tree limbs fell.

The children were worried Christmas would be late, 

that Santa would get lost crossing Caney Lake.

As the winter wind swirled Santa called out to his team, 

we will make Columbia by midnight and the Bonne Idee.

The frozen lake glistened by the lights of the mill,

lighting the way for Santa Clause to come visit Bawcomville.

Leaving presents and candy Santa climbed high in his sleigh, 

saying "Merry Christmas Bawcomville this fine Christmas Day."

Christmas always comes, always.

                           

- Tom M.

                                                          

 

© 2020 Tom Malmay

UNDER THE MEMPHIS SKY

You are so dismissive. You don’t know about Birmingham, Alabama in 1963, or Selma 1965. I grew up hearing these stories. I heard the dog whistle in Virginia. 

Damn, damn, damn! I’m trying to reach you. 

You make me so mad. I’m trying to talk with you. My family did not own slaves. I wasn’t raised to be racist. You come at me with that attitude, and I get frustrated. 

Damn, damn, damn! I’m trying to reach you.

Our Heavenly Father, our tongues are tied, and the children are bootless. We lost our teacher under the Memphis sky. We ask you for wisdom to heal our land from the scourge of racism, persistent poverty and flooding. 

We reach out to you under the Memphis sky. 

Tom M.

#######

Photograph Source: National Archive

Click here - Pieces of History: National Archives

© 2021 Tom Malmay

ADVERSITY IN THE SOUTHLAND

I have spent the last three decades researching and developing projects to recover and mitigate future risks. Some years ago, I was working on a project in Mississippi and noticed all the blues artist, singer, painters, writers, poets and musicians that Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas had given us. Looking at a national heat map I built of federal disaster declarations since the early 1960s, I wondered about the relationship.

Then I considered the decades of persistent poverty, civil unrest (Birmingham 1963, Selma 1965, burning crosses, others) and other information from the Smithsonian Institute. Is all this adversity yielding creativity in the population? Is this how we got B.B. King. His hometown is no stranger to epic storms and other social challenges. Neither is Clarksdale, Mississippi. The same is true for much of the Southland. 

Is this nature's way of helping us heal ourselves?

Every few months I dig a little deeper into this subject. Now I have a project that requires clarity on the relationship. Stay tuned.

Tom M.

Rolling Fork, Mississippi Tornado 2023 - PBS

                                                                                                              © 2022 Tom Malmay

NORTHEAST LOUISIANA IN LIVING COLOR: THE BLUES CELEBRATION

Northeast Louisiana (NELA) has awakened. We're no longer a black and white photograph from the 1950s. Murals, sculptures, poetry readings, art galleries, museums, musical performances and festivals dot the landscape. In 2023, the City of West Monroe introduced the Ouachita River Blues Society (ORBS). The West Monroe-Monroe area now takes its rightful place alongside Memphis, Clarksdale. Greenville, Indianola, Natchez and New Orleans. Thats what ORBS means to the community.

Since the Great Flood of 2016, we have been in what looks like a full-on Renaissance in our community, but that's not the whole story. The blend of business and art is spreading in the Ouachita River Valley. I will stay with that geographic characterization, but it encompasses all of Northeast Louisiana.

Aside from nourishing our minds and souls, the current explosion of art and cultural happenings has an economic role. It's in our economic interest that our artists thrive and do well. We need them to publish their work from NELA. In every media interview they give, they will ask where they live and talk about home. We are looking very attractive to remote workers. There are cool things to do and see. The art and culture helps our leaders and economic developers with their business development efforts. We look attractive.

Remote workers will want to live and play in downtown Monroe and West Monroe. Some will have an interest in hunting and fishing in the rural areas.

There are so many people and groups responsible for this transformation taking place. Our leaders know who they are. NELA is changing, we cannot go back.

We're in "Living Color."


Tom M.

Indian Village Harvest Farm Calhoun, La

@2022 Tom Malmay

Talking about Race

For the third time in as many weeks I was in a meeting and the subject of how we communicate with one another came up. To add context, we were talking about community projects and flood relief for Low to moderate income areas devastated during the 2016 flood. The Governor has directed $100 Million in HUD dollars to help the people in these areas including Ouachita Parish. All voices will be needed. All-hands on deck.

Many of us have spent our careers speaking publicly in a way not to offend anyone. We are all Americans, all God's children, so we are all the same. But we're not. There are cultural differences, life experience differences and economic differences. Serving as an elected official is hard work.

The community is changing. We need to adjust how we are communicating to speed progress on these issues. This was said to me yesterday. All my Caucasian, Black, Asian, Hispanic and Native American friends, if you are engaged in a discussion on race, speak plainly and dont hunt and peck for words to make a sentence with no substance. Same is true with public speaking. It's time to go there. We are all still learning. Us Baby Boomers are running out of time to make sure we dont leave a mess for our kids and grandkids. We need to speed progress along.

Finally, I was in a public meeting on black violence at Richwood High School a year ago this October. Leaders from across the community attended. State Representative Pat Moore called the meeting and spoke. I had heard her speak on these issues before. What she had to say that day and how she communicated her message made an impression. These are difficult subjects. Thank you, State Representative Pat Moore.

Source: Local Knowledge

Photograph provided by Tom Malmay

Meeting called by State Representative Pat Moore on violence in the Black Community. Mayor Ellis is providing a readout from his breakout group.

Tom M.

2022 Hurricane Season - Make your family plans on a Blue-Sky day.

I dont talk about Hurricanes Katrina and Rita that much. I usually refer to them as the 2005 storms, personal. On August 29th, I remember most of the media reporting we dodged a bullet all afternoon. Before I turned in that evening, I watched a few minutes of CNN coverage. Jeanne Meserve and her videographer were reporting live somewhere in New Orleans. She commented that they noticed water rising from where it was earlier in the evening. The desk anchor even new that did not sound right. He said he would get his producer to check that out. My last thoughts that evening before I turned in was wondering where that water was coming from. The lesson is, until you know, you dont know.

I did a lot of work and interviews in the weeks, months and years after the storms. The stories of survival during landfall and the weeks that followed still run through my mind when the NHC names an Invest.

Bless everyone on the Louisiana Gulf Coast.


Hurricane Katrina graphic provided by NOAA.

Tom M.

LIFE IS MESSY

A few years ago, I had finished up a recovery meeting that went long and got a little warm. A comment was made after the meeting it was a little messy. I responded, “Sure it was, it was an authentic discussion. No prepared statements, no meeting before the meeting.” We had been talking about race, culture, perception, economic development, equity and breaking the cycle of poverty. It had been a long three months, everyone was tired. 

A couple of weeks later I went downtown to Art Alley located off DeSaird. My plan was to walk around and relax. I parked across from the Cotton restaurant. Within a few minutes I walked upon this mural “Life is Messy.” I stood there for a moment. I knew instantly it meant something to me. I took some photographs and sent to my colleagues. It had the same effect on them. Real democracy is messy. Humans are messy and nothing is perfect. We have to help one another get through the journey. 

Effective communication can be oral, written, maps, charts and yes public art. Poetry, song, sculpture, murals, paintings are all communication forms that can be brought to bear on hard issues. This is something I knew, but somehow was reaffirmed that cold winter day. 

I’m still out there photographing public art and architecture. It has become an outlet for me. It’s my way of resting. The “Life is Messy” mural has a very special place in my heart. It opened doors I did not know were there. 

Thank you to all the artists and the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council for making us beautiful.

Tom M.

DISCUSSION - PROPOSED OUACHITA RIVER VALLEY MITIGATION PROJECT

Note- The outline below reflects an ongoing conversation in the Ouachita Rivery Valley on flood risk reduction.

1. Introduction:

From the beginning it has always been in Ouachita's interest to support Catahoula
Caldwell, Franking and Richland Parish in their mitigation efforts. In those parishes many of the flood solutions will never make a BCR. But they can qualify for an elevation or acquisition program. In the urbanized areas, these parishes and Ouachita, drainage projects are needed.

2. Proposal

A regional flood acquisition program is to service specific Parishes. The program would be managed by the Louisiana Watershed Initiative (LWI). Funding would include a mix of CDBG and HMGP, all managed by LWI. 

3. Scope

It is easy to envision a multi-parish project to bring relief to these areas. Ouachita Parish has purchased a number of properties in Eastern Ouachita Parish. There are structures remaining in this area that need to be mitigated.

Project Areas - Catahoula, Caldwell, Franking, Richland Parish and Eastern Ouachita Parish.

4. Project Type

Multi-Parish Acquisition Project

5.0 Budget

Funding Type- HUD
Amount - Startup Funding - $30 Million
Program Administration - LWI

If we request funding, there is a good chance we will get it.

Project area.




Tom M.

Louisiana Historical Flood Losses: Calling all State Lawmakers

Louisiana is in the process of changing how it manages its floodplains. The Louisiana Watershed Initiative (LWI) has divided the state into 8 Regions. I support this initiative. What we were doing in the past was not working. We as a state are still figuring out how to make this work.

Watershed Regions - See Regional Maps

We need State Lawmakers involved in these watershed regions. I recommend you request a map from LWI illustrating the historical damages in your respective watershed regions. You need to see all the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Flood Insurance (NFIP) claims and all the FEMA Individual Assistance (IA) to get a true picture. The NFIP flood claims doesn’t tell the whole story. Many people can't afford flood insurance. So those losses aren’t represented in the NFIP data. They can be made visible with IA data. This will help you help these regions focus their flood mitigation efforts. 

Equity for all the people:

There is a term we use called “repetitive flood loss structure”. These are structures that participate in the FEMA flood insurance program that have multiple claims based on some parameters. There are a number of ways to look at this data. One way would be to evaluate how many dollars have been paid out over a specified period or years. Another way is to look at how many times a family has been flooded out of their home for the same period.

There is a difference. If structure A has a household income of $95,000. and structure B has a household income of $38,000., the impact to the family is not the same. How much geography in Louisiana is considered Low and Moderate income. I worry about how our federal policies perform in these Low and Moderate-income areas. A satisfactory BCA can be hard to reach.  DISASTERS DO NOT IMPACT FAMILIES EQUALLY

We need risk reduction across the State of Louisiana. The strategy must address coastal and inland Louisiana. It cannot be one without the other.

South Louisiana Lawmakers:

Inland Louisiana, specifically Northeast Louisiana will be here for your people should a storm approach the coast. We have always been here for you. As Coastal Louisiana endures land loss from subsidence, sea level rise, erosion, rising flood insurance cost, loss of insurance companies, higher power bills and the continued impact from tropical systems, families will continue to move inland. Our efforts to reduce flood risk in Northeast Louisiana will help our people and yours.

If there are any lawmakers among you that dont we need help with our flood risk, please educate them.

Source: FEMA, NOAA, NHC and local knowledge

Provided by NOAA

Tom M.

Christmas on the "Silver Water"

If you are new to the area, get ready. You have not experienced Christmas until you have spent your holiday season on the land of the “Silver Water.”

Located in the Ouachita River Valley in Northeast Louisiana, it was first explored by Hernando de Soto in 1542. The first organized government was formed in 1783. Ouachita Parish was established in 1807. The Choctaw Tribe meaning of Ouachita is “Silver Water.”

Our Christmas Traditions are connected to the Ouachita River “Silver Water.”

There is no official Christmas memo on when the celebrations begin. It can be triggered by a number of things. Sometimes it’s the first strong cold front. Or the radio starts playing Christmas music 24/7. If someone puts up their Christmas tree early. If city employees are spotted putting up Christmas decorations, that can do it.

If the celebrations haven’t begun by the time the Christmas Parade and Fireworks schedule is announced, consider this the Christmas Celebration memo. But when it starts, its ‘Whoville” until January.

More than fifty years ago the Howard Griffin Family opened a boat and toy store on the Monroe riverfront. People would travel from miles around to buy toys and Christmas tree decorations. This community minded business forever connected our Christmas Holidays traditions to the Ouachita River.

Downtown West Monroe and Monroe are decked out in Christmas décor, accented with holiday paintings from our local artists. People are scurrying around, shopping, dining, attending Christmas parties and Christmas plays at church and school. Candy cane Lane is always a favorite. There is so much to do.

In early December we go into “snap count.” Movies every weekend downtown. The Elf and the Grinch cannot be missed. The Cameron Diaz movie “The Holiday,” doesn’t play downtown but should be on your list.

The true meaning of Christmas is never lost in the land of the Silver Water. It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

Monroe City Hall 2021

Tom M.

Ouachita Green Added Value

The community never looked so nice as it does in 2023. Ouachita Green, their partners and volunteers intended to clean the place up and make it nice. They've removed thousands of pounds of litter. But what they did is so much more than that.  

I have my own working definition of art. Creating something of value from nothing is art. So, by my definition businesses producing a product from scratch is art.

Let me show you something.

The community has never been cleaner, ever. We have been given back our geography as a clean canvass for businesses to grow and job creation. By my definition this is art. Sculptures now dot our landscape with a splash of color from the murals. Then there are all the cultural happenings and traditions. Our recreational opportunities on the canvass are expanding. The private sector continues to invest in our community. Local governments are making significant headway on infrastructure improvements. Environmental damage from household hazardous waste is continually being mitigated.

In this instance, the added value may have exceeded the goal. What an awesome return on investment. Thank you to Ouachita Green, Keep Ouachita Parish Beautiful, Keep Monroe Beautiful, Keep West Monroe Beautiful, Keep Louisiana Beautiful and Keep America Beautiful.

Tom M.

LOUISIANA FLOOD CONTROL LEGISLATION: MODERN DAY NOAH'S ARK

The story of Noah’s Ark is my all-time favorite Bible story. Noah was given specific instructions on how to build the ark. Built from cypress and coated with pitch inside and out, the ark’s profile would have looked enormous against the horizon. Noah and his family filled the ark with two of each living creature, male and female. The rain came for forty days and forty nights. The earth was flooded, and all was lost. The ark came to rest safely upon the mountains of Ararat. The earth would now have a second chance.

I have always said, "Noah’s Ark was the world’s most successful flood mitigation project." Noah knew a flood was coming. He listened to the warnings of what was ahead, he was provided construction plans and took action to mitigate the flood. 

While Louisiana has plenty of cypress, the ark we need in 2022 is legislation. In 2011, Northeast Louisiana was protected from the Mississippi River by levee’s that were legislated to be built following the 1927 flood. The State has grown since the early 20^th Century. Our hazards and risks have changed. We need new comprehensive legislation that establishes a risk reduction strategy and guides investments to reduce inland and coastal flooding. 

I encourage our best and brightest to inform our lawmakers on the need for risk reduction across the State of Louisiana.

We know a flood is coming. We need to take action.

Photograph from the National Weather Service - The great Mississippi River flood of 1927. Refugees in camp near the Louisiana Monument during the Great Flood of 1927 at the Vicksburg National Military Park.

Source: The Bible, Local knowledge

                                                                                                               ©2022 Tom Malmay

Tom M.

OUACHITA RIVER VALLEY RENAISSANCE: A 21ST CENTURY AWAKENING OF CULTURE AND BUSINESS

The recovery from the Great Flood of 2016 gave rise to a period of community rebirth. Officials worked on flood mitigation strategies, housing, infrastructure, economic recovery, health, and natural and cultural resources. With the rebuilding underway, public meetings were held and people’s concerns and ideas were heard. In those early days of the recovery, you could sense the call to action for change. That sense of urgency still exists. 

The political landscaped also changed during this period. And people were noticeably more interested in cultural happenings and civic events. The private and public sector continued to invest in the community. Progress was being made. In August 2020, real estate developer and State Representative Michael Echols all but declared a Renaissance. 

Public art, poetry readings, photography, live musical performances, freedom of speech exercises, and being different are now a permanent part of our cloth. We can never go back.

Beginning in 2020, the region experienced a prolonged period of adversity that threatened all the progress made. The community was impacted but our resilience won. Despite the pandemic, hurricanes, tornadoes, flash flooding, and a winter storm, public and private investments continue. All things cultural are flourishing.

The community investments in infrastructure, economic development and culture continue at a never-before-seen tempo. Our leaders understand the linkage between business and culture, and they are leveraging.

People will visit our region to experience the art, food, wineries, cultural happenings and great outdoors. Remote workers and businesses will be attracted here for all the afore mentioned amenities. 

The culture - business blend model is spreading in the Ouachita River Valley. Be looking for investment opportunities. 

Monroe-West Monroe Area

Source: Local knowledge

                                                                                                                         ©2022 Tom Malmay

Tom M.

A Thousand Walls: A prayer for jobs in the Louisiana Delta

On June 7, 2022, a praise to God celebration was held at the Henrietta Johnson Recreation Center at 2800 Burg Jones Lane, Monroe, LA 71202. I was asked to pray over jobs and economic development. It was a wonderful evening. Below is my prayer.

Our Heavenly Father, at the beginning of this “Fast” I prayed for you to heal this land from flooding and poverty.

Our leaders are working night and day to bring good jobs to the Delta. Lord, I ask that you give each one of them the strength and wisdom to help your children.  

I pray that you give Kenya Robertson, Kristopher Kelly and Roy Heatherly the strength to breakdown a thousand walls. Share with all the leaders from the Delta the path forward to help your children.

Lord, you know it's hard down here sometimes. A good job solves a lot of problems.

We are here, we will listen, and we will follow.

Amen.

The kids are with Representative Pat Moore, Monroe City School Board Representative Betty Cooper and Senator Katrina Jackson 

__________________________

Kenya Robertson, Monroe Regional Black Chamber of Commerce

Kristopher Kelly, West Monroe West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce

Roy Heatherly, Monroe Chamber of Commerce

LONG-TERM DISASTER RECOVERY IN THE SOUTHLAND: "WE'RE ALL IN THE SAME TRUCK"

It’s in our national interest for communities to be successful in their disaster recovery efforts. This was one of the main reasons FEMA established the National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF). Your local long-term recovery framework needs to be strong enough to support passionate discussions and public discourse but not so rigid it suppresses new ideas and innovation. Rebuild your community in a way that reduces risks, promotes quality of life and supports economic development.

The quality of recovery on the Gulf Coast impacts inland communities. People returning to work, healing, rebuilding, community planning, and generating tax revenue are all key indicators of a community recovering.

A while back, I was in a watershed planning meeting going through a presentation on flood claims from the Great Flood of 2016. Someone pointed at the map and asked about the geography that was absent of flood claims. I was waiting on that question. I then showed them the IA claims and stated the population in this area could not afford flood insurance. They applied to FEMA for help in a different program. What followed was a conversation about low and moderate income (LMI) areas, the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) and equity.

Disasters do not impact families equally. Poor people come from all walks of life. There is linkage between breaking the cycle of poverty and breaking the cycle of disaster-rebuild -disaster.

Using the early 2000s as a marker, the frequency and magnitude of natural hazard events is raising questions if not alarms. In Louisiana, we are living from disaster to disaster. This doesn’t seem normal. I have worked in this industry for more than 25 years and I have questions.

I will start by asking if our investments in emergency management are proportional to the increase in frequency and magnitude? Are we attempting to inhabit geography that is uninhabitable? Are environmental conditions changing? Is it temporary or permanent? Are we creating emergency response plans to complex for implementation by humans? Are we appropriately explaining risks to our people?

The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act or as I refer to it “The Stafford Act” has served our nation well over the years. Is it adequate to manage catastrophic events? Is it appropriately designed to manage overlapping active disaster declarations for a common geography?

We need risk reduction across the State of Louisiana. Our lawmakers need to hear from the next generation. We need our best and brightest working on this.

All emergency management practitioner, meteorologists, academia and related fields of study, are encouraged to communicate with their respective lawmakers. Write your lawmaker, participate in a conference call, or attend a public meeting. If you have expertise or a storm story you would like to share, lawmakers need to hear from you.  

Get involved.

NOAA - Climate change increased chances of record rains in Louisiana by at least 40 percent

FEMA Disaster History

Louisiana Lawmakers

Sources: FEMA, USGS, Experience, Local knowledge

Tom M.

Scott McCreery - Same Truck

                                                                                          ©2022 Tom Malmay

IN MEMORY OF LOUISIANA SB 414 AND HB 606: DIED IN THE SPRING OF 2022

Louisiana SB 414 by Senator Fred H. Mills, Jr. is dead. He and others worked hard on this legislation. In Northeast Louisiana Karen Cupit, Lisa Richardson and the Region 3 Watershed Committee worked hard on this initiative. No legislation is perfect. This legislation sought to add structure to statewide risk reduction efforts. The strategy provided for inland and coastal risk reduction. It assembled subject matter experts to manage, and it provided a mechanism for local and state leaders to inject their thoughts and concerns into the process.

As the Louisiana Gulf Coast changes, all of Louisiana must adapt. The time for talk is over. As a strategy, inland risk reduction does two things. 1) It protects families and business and 2) It prepares inland Louisiana to receive coastal populations and businesses as they migrate inland.

A statewide strategy that accounts for the loss of the coast and prepares inland Louisiana is needed. SB 414 put us on a path to develop a strategy. HB 606 would have matured and headed this direction out of necessity. Both are dead.

We will have to work harder to make sure the people of Louisiana have a voice as our geography and risk to all-hazards change.

Northeast Louisiana is committed to helping our coastal families. If a storm threatens the coast, we will be here.

Source: NOAA, FEMA, and Local knowledge

Tom M.

Provided by Hurricane Laura, NOAA

                                                                                               ©2022 Tom Malmay

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