Environment
In New Orleans, Katrina Taught a Lesson in Local Resilience
To speed aid after future storms, community groups are building a network of solar-powered “Community Lighthouses” in the city’s most vulnerable neighborhoods.
Solar panels line the roof of First Grace United Methodist Church in New Orleans. It’s one of 18 “Community Lighthouses” across the city.
Photographer: Matthew Hinton/AP PhotoAs Hurricane Katrina barreled toward New Orleans in August 2005, families in the storm’s path faced a choice: stay or evacuate.
For Bianchi Hughes, then 9 years old, her family’s decision wasn’t easy: Her father was recovering from open-heart surgery at Lindy Boggs Medical Center in New Orleans’ Mid-City neighborhood and would have to stay behind. Plus, he usually did all the driving.