U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) delivered a speech on the Senate floor marking the upcoming 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. In his remarks, Cassidy reflected on the impact of the disaster and discussed efforts made since then to rebuild and strengthen infrastructure in Louisiana.
“It is a heartbreaking anniversary. Hurricane Katrina destroyed lives, separated families, and stole belongings we thought would be cherished forever,” said Dr. Cassidy.
“As the 20th anniversary approaches, we are reminded of these losses, but also that—in the worst times—Americans come together,” continued Dr. Cassidy.
Cassidy recounted how residents across South Louisiana sought shelter in various locations throughout the state following Katrina, including Bossier City Civic Center, Hirsch Coliseum in Shreveport, and emergency shelters in Monroe and Alexandria. He described leading volunteers to convert an abandoned K-Mart building in Baton Rouge into an emergency health care facility for evacuees.
He noted that shortly after these events he decided to run for public office with a focus on preventing future disasters of similar scale. Since then, Cassidy highlighted investments such as $15 billion for levee systems and additional funding for coastal resiliency and flood mitigation through federal legislation like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
“As an example, if you go from LaPlace toward Baton Rouge, they’re doing all kinds of work on a huge flood control structure which I helped get the money for. You go to Lake Pontchartrain, and you can see what over 50 million dollars can do for local restoration efforts. All because I went to bat for Louisiana priorities in the infrastructure bill,” Cassidy stated.
He also mentioned improvements made to highways, evacuation routes, electric grid hardening, and continued investments in flood mitigation as outcomes from his involvement with federal infrastructure initiatives.
Cassidy drew parallels between community responses after Hurricane Katrina and recent disaster relief efforts following severe weather events in Texas this month. He listed states whose National Guard units assisted Louisiana after Katrina and those sending help to Texas now: “Because when tragedy hits anywhere, Americans from everywhere respond.”
“We may not be able to take away the pain of loss—I wish we could. But Congress can help ease the financial burden of recovery. An essential way to do that is with affordable insurance. Americans deserve that support,” said Cassidy.
