OCPR Performance During Hurricane/Flood Fights (Disasters Averted) (Disasters Averted) October 29, 2008 Jerome “Zee” Zeringue Governor’s Office Coastal Activities CPRA Presentation

CPRA est Act 367 June 2008 OCPR July Gustav & Ike Sept. 2008

"Times of general calamity and confusion have ever been productive of the greatest minds. The purest ore is produced from the hottest furnace, and the brightest thunderbolt is elicited from the darkest storm." Charles Caleb Colton Charles Caleb Colton Charles Caleb Colton 3

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6 Protect me from knowing what I don't need to know. Protect me from even knowing that there are things to know that I don't know. Protect me from knowing that I decided not to know about the things that I decided not to know about. Amen. Protect me from knowing what I don't need to know. Protect me from even knowing that there are things to know that I don't know. Protect me from knowing that I decided not to know about the things that I decided not to know about. Amen. Lord, lord, lord. Protect me from the consequences of the above prayer.

Hurricanes: a test of new organization September 1, 2008September 12, 2008

Hurricane Response: Emergency Response Governors Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) Emergency Operations Center: Office of Coastal Protection and Restoration Desk Staffed by OCPR employees formerly from DNR and DOTD Addressed issues related to flood protection & restoration Coordinated resources among state agencies, Louisiana National Guard, USACE, Levee Boards

Hurricane Response: Emergency Response Daily Conference Calls: USACE updates on federal flood protection system Local Levee Boards and Parishes updates on non-federal flood protection system Coordination and positioning of resources: Pumps, Sandbags, Generators, Fuel, Heavy Equipment, Etc. Air and ground surveys were coordinated with local, state, and federal leaders. Sen. David Vitter Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District President Anthony Alford Jerome Zeringue (GOCA) State Sen. Reggie Dupre, Jr. Jerome Zeringue (GOCA) Dave Fruge (OCPR) On-the-Ground Response to address levee overtoppings and breaches

Lesson Learned – Moving Forward The levee districts want to have people that know their levees at the EOC Have extra supplies in district or stockpiled depots Have extra supplies in district or stockpiled depots replacement of sand bags was a problem Pumps Need our own communication system Need our own communication system Training Training new flood fighting measures that will be used should be reviewed and test ahead of time “How to fight a breach/flood fighting techniques” and other topics to the Levee Safety School Schedule training through GOHSEP on Web EOC Schedule training through GOHSEP on Web EOC 10

11 “It’s Like I’m Flyin” Poo Poo Broussard

12 A1 A2 Lessons Learned Integrating lessons learned with future program implementation Where did Coastal Landscape Features contribute to risk reduction? No storm surge reduction with shore-perpendicular navigation channel A2=9.8ft No buffer No reduction A2=9.9ft

13 A1 A2 B1 B2 Lessons Learned Integrating lessons learned with future program implementation Where did Coastal Landscape Features contribute to risk reduction? Landscape features can contribute to storm surge reduction

14 Lessons Learned Mashriqui, H.S., J.N. Suhayda, and B.R. Couvillion years future master plan landscape Future landscape with ecosystem restoration suggests potential reductions in storm surge of 3-4 ft in some areas 50-years No Increased Action

15 POST Hurricane Ike Lessons Learned Structures built after Hurricane Rita to new building standards survived Hurricane Ike with minimal damage.

16 Lessons Learned In areas where flooding will still be an issue in the future with planned restoration activities, non-structural (improved building codes, elevated structures, etc) can be effective at reducing damage from flooding events. Texas Post-Ike Louisiana Post-Ike Grand Isle, LA Post-Ike

17 Lessons Learned we can build more resilient structures and protective systems that can allow us to continue to live in areas adjacent to our working wetlands future projections suggest that with planned ecosystem restoration initiatives, we have the possibility to decrease the magnitude of storm surges in some areas Flood Protection and Ecosystem Restoration Conference Comprehensive Planning and Planning Resources for communities Understanding Coastal Hazards and Flood Risks Predictive Modeling Maintaining and Enhancing Flood Protection Systems

18 Accomplishing the impossible means only that the boss will add it to your regular duties -- Author Unknown