Louisiana Municipal Review: Are We Ready?

I want you to imagine looking up at the sky with me. It’s a bruised purple, churning with a malevolence only those who have weathered a Louisiana hurricane can truly understand. The wind howls like a banshee, and the rain lashes down with the force of a thousand angry tears. In that moment, when the power flickers and dies, and the world outside becomes both quiet and chaotic, I want to ask you one question. It’s a question that should be clawing its way to the forefront of every Louisianian’s mind: Are we ready?

Last month, Louisiana Municipal Review Managing Editor Anita Tillman posed a question that I’m almost certain has been simmering beneath the surface of countless conversations across Louisiana’s municipalities: What happens if the federal cavalry doesn’t come in a time of crisis? It’s a question that cuts to the core of our identity not only as a state, but also as a people forged in the crucible of relentless natural disasters.

Louisiana, a state painfully familiar with the destructive power of hurricanes, and the often agonizing uncertainties of federal disaster relief, faces a stark reality. Tillman’s question forces us to confront an unavoidable challenge: How can we, as leaders, communities, and citizens, best prepare for a future where self-reliance may be an absolute necessity?

“No state has learned about emergency preparedness the hard way like Louisiana has over the past several decades,” stated Steven Swiber, Chief Resilience Officer for the Office of Governor Jeff Landry. “That’s why we are the nation’s leaders in resilience. If you live near the coast, it’s not a question of if a major hurricane will strike; it’s a question of when. We have to be ready, and it has to factor into every decision we make.”

Louisiana’s history is etched in weathered homes, stories passed down through generations, and in the very spirit of its people. It speaks volumes about our unwavering resilience in the face of relentless storms. From the unimaginable devastation of Katrina, which forever altered our landscape, to Hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Ida, each testing our resolve in ways we could never have predicted, we have witnessed first- hand the catastrophic toll these events take on lives, homes, businesses, and the fabric of our communities. In the darkest moments, we’ve placed our hopes, and often our futures, in the steadfast promise of federal aid.

Brett Kriger, Deputy Director of Disaster Response for the Louisiana Municipal Association (LMA), sees that promise as a vital aspect of our identity. 

“Louisiana’s spirit forged in the wake of disasters like Katrina, Rita, Gustav, Delta, and Ida leans on the steadfast commitment to federal aid to help rebuild lives and communities.” 

“What FEMA offers are resources that are unaffected,” she explains. “In 2008, when Gustav came to Baton Rouge, I was on contract with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP). The entire city was disrupted, and all of us at GOHSEP were trying to handle crises at our own agencies while managing the bigger picture. FEMA’s presence as unaffected federal support, as people who weren’t impacted but simply there to do their jobs, was key.”

FEMA has long been an indispensable partner in Louisiana’s disaster response, providing billions for infrastructure repair, housing, and emergency coordination. After Katrina in 2005, FEMA allocated over $16 billion to Louisiana, restoring thousands of homes and critical infrastructure. During Hurricane Ida in 2021, FEMA disbursed over $700 million in individual assistance and collaborated with state agencies to deploy resources swiftly.

However, the landscape is shifting. Federal disaster relief funding is increasingly unpredictable and subject to political negotiations, budget constraints, and competing priorities. The backlog of infrastructure repairs nationwide, and the limited and often delayed federal support, pose serious questions about long-term recovery capability. Wood expressed concern.

This means local governments may lack the immediate resources to procure necessary equipment during a crisis.

“FEMA has also been both the credit card before the disaster (with local officials feeling comfortable buying what’s needed to save lives) and the checkbook afterward,” Wood adds. “Imagine being a mayor who doesn’t have the cash on hand to pay for sandbags and then having to watch your city flood because federal support is delayed, just because there’s no tax money in the bank yet.”

Political debates and disagreements further complicate timely disaster assistance. For example, relief funding for Hurricane Ida faced several delays due to Congressional gridlock. Such delays extend recovery times and place additional strain on state and local resources. Senator Bill Cassidy has been instrumental in advancing funding and emphasizes its importance.

“My job is to listen to folks in Louisiana and make sure they’re heard in Washington. That includes getting the money they need to recover from hurricanes and other disasters. As long as I’m your Senator, you can count on me to do that. If you ever need my help, call."

As federal support becomes more uncertain, Louisiana’s leaders must focus on building resilient, self-sufficient systems capable of withstanding future shocks. This underscores the critical need for long-term planning and diversified funding strategies. Kriger highlights this urgency: 

“There’s a growing uncertainty about federal assistance, especially given the shifting political landscape. Louisiana can no longer solely rely on the federal government for its recovery needs.”

The reality is clear. Louisiana’s unique geography, jutting out like a vulnerable hand into the warm and turbulent waters of the Gulf, makes us an ever-present target for hurricanes. We know a storm is not a matter of if, but when. So, how prepared are our state and municipal agencies to manage the long, arduous journey of recovery if federal aid is delayed or insufficient? Do we have sustainable, long-term financial strategies in place?

Louisiana’s leaders are entrusted with the safety and well-being of their communities. Part of that responsibility involves proactive preparation. That could mean strengthening building codes, implementing advanced early warning systems, and expanding community outreach to educate residents about disaster readiness. These are all solid plans, but the critical question persists. If the cavalry doesn’t come, are we truly ready?

Given the relentless threat of hurricanes, resilience must become a non-negotiable priority. The lessons learned over the last two decades of storms have been tragic and instructive, and they still highlight the importance of early preparations and coordinated local responses.

“The states have always had the first responsibility for disaster response, but federal assistance, whether called FEMA or not, remains critical,” said Kriger.

Local governments need resources, proper training, and comprehensive emergency plans in order to build a solid foundation for saving lives when every second counts. They must conduct realistic drills, effectively communicate with their communities, and leverage data analytics and GIS mapping to target recovery efforts while prioritizing high-risk areas for smarter rebuilding.

Pat Forbes, Executive Director of the Louisiana Office of Community Development, explains. “Using data analytics and GIS mapping tools, we’re able to prioritize recovery efforts in high-risk areas, helping municipalities rebuild smarter and stronger with federal support.” (Data-Driven Resilience Press Release, April 8, 2025)

But resilience ain’t gonna be cheap! “The cost of disaster preparedness may seem steep, but the price of inaction is far higher,” said Kriger. “The long-term savings, both economic and human, are undeniable."

Hurricanes are a recurring reality for Louisiana, and resilience isn’t just an admirable goal, it’s an essential obligation. The critical question for our leaders is not if another storm strikes, it’s how we will face it when it does. Will we rely solely on federal aid? Or will we build communities with the resources, knowledge, and capacity to weather any storm, regardless of federal support?

You are Louisiana’s dedicated leaders. As you look toward the horizon, I encourage you to pause and recognize that things are looking a little different now. And with that in mind, I want you to join me in one final thing. This time, instead of looking at the sky above, let’s shift our view downward, to the people below. With them in mind, are you ready?

With labor. With equipment. With resources. With tools. With money.

Are you ready?

Because I have to be honest, how ready “we” are depends an awful lot on your answer.

By Charlotte Smith, Editor

Smith is a Senior Communications Consultant for AMCorp International. Editor of the Louisiana Municipal Review, and Owner of Wordsmith Communications. She can be reached by emailing charlotte@teamamcorp.com, or by calling 225.650.3281.