Read, Watch or Listen

Retired Lieutenant General Russel Honoré reflects on the chaos of Hurricane Katrina nearly 20 years later. He highlights the failures of local leaders in issuing timely mandatory evacuations, leaving vulnerable populations, particularly the poor and elderly, stranded. The lack of resources and logistical challenges exacerbated the suffering. Honoré criticizes the slow response and the prejudice against those perceived as potential looters. He emphasizes the importance of timely evacuation and preparedness in the face of increasingly frequent and severe climate disasters, lessons still unlearned since Katrina.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.