Lessons from Louisiana

We should have seen the historic flooding in the Florida Parishes region of Louisiana coming—both in preparation and in response—says a pair of recent articles.

2 minute read

August 31, 2016, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Baton Rouge Louisiana

Henryk Sadura / Shutterstock

Craig E. Colton, professor of Geography at the Louisiana State University, pens an article for The Conversation about recent floods in Louisiana. After listing off the damage wreaked by historic rainfall totals, Colton compares and contrasts with an obvious predecessor:

Reports of flooding in Louisiana may conjure up images of Hurricane Katrina, but these rivers are completely separated from the Mississippi River, and these floods posed no threat to New Orleans. Nonetheless, based on my experience studying risk and resilience in this region, I see parallels between the damage of current flooding and the damage caused by Katrina.

According to Colton, human decisions of planning and permitting exacerbated the consequences of this weather event. These areas "had experienced repeat floods, and agencies had failed to complete projects designed to mitigate flood damage before the storms hit."

According to Colton, the Florida Parishes region is a natural laboratory for flood studies. Despite a long track record of flooding, and planning efforts meant to prepare for more, but Colton says that suburban sprawl has nonetheless been allowed to spill onto the floodplain.

While Colton's concern is planning and preparation, a separate Associated Press article notes scathing reviews for the performance of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the region. U.S. Rep. John Mica (R-FL), who chairs a subcommittee with jurisdiction over FEMA, called the response "pitiful." Mica argues that FEMA needs more flexibility in its programs.

Monday, August 22, 2016 in The Conversation

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Interior of Place Versailles mall in Montreal, Canada.

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units

Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

May 22, 2025 - CBC

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 21, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

View from hilltop residential neighborhood of downtown Los Angeles, California on a cloudy day.

LA Falling Behind on Housing Goals

Last year, the city permitted just 30 percent of the number of housing units needed to meet a growing need.

4 hours ago - LAist

Canada geese and ducks on the shore of a lake with red brick boathouse in background across the lake in Lincoln Park, Los Angeles.

Connecting Communities to Nature Close to Home

Los Angeles County’s Nature in Your Neighborhood program brings free, family-friendly wellness and nature activities to local parks, making it easier for residents to enjoy and connect with the outdoors.

6 hours ago - Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation

Children inside large slide at water park.

Palmdale’s Beloved Water Park Gets $2 Million Upgrade

To mark its 20th anniversary, DryTown Water Park has undergone major renovations, ensuring that families across the Antelope Valley continue to enjoy safe, affordable, and much-needed water-based recreation in the high desert.

7 hours ago - Antelope Valley Press

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.