20 Years After Hurricane Katrina: The Fixes, the Failures and What's at Risk Again with Dr. Andrew Rumbach

In episode 237 of America Adapts, host Doug Parsons talks with Dr. Andrew Rumbach of the Urban Institute, who went to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina to work on recovery and has spent his career studying disasters and resilience. They discuss Katrina's enduring legacy—what's been fixed, what remains broken, and what's now under assault. Andrew shares insights on how FEMA has evolved since 2005, where bipartisan reforms have emerged even in a hostile political climate, and whether the country is truly ready for the next major storm. He also highlights five powerful documentaries that capture Katrina's human and political dimensions, offering listeners new ways to understand both the storm and its aftermath. This conversation looks back at Katrina not only as a past tragedy but as a warning for our uncertain future. Twenty years after Hurricane Katrina, its lessons still shape how America thinks about disasters.   Check out the America Adapts Media Kit here! Subscribe to the America Adapts newsletter here. Donate to America Adapts Listen to America Adapts on your favorite app here! Facebook, Linkedin and Bluesky: https://www.facebook.com/americaadapts/ https://bsky.app/profile/americaadapts.bsky.social https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-parsons-america-adapts/ Links in this episode: Sign up for Andrew's substack! https://substack.com/@andrewrumbach The Five Katrina themed documentaries Andrew recommended: https://open.substack.com/pub/andrewrumbach/p/five-essential-films-about-hurricane?r=402vg&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false https://andrewrumbach.com/   Doug Parsons and Speaking Opportunities: If you are interested in having Doug speak at corporate and conference events, sharing his unique, expert perspective on adaptation in an entertaining and informative way, Now on Spotify! List of Previous Guests on America Adapts Follow/listen to podcast on Apple Podcasts. Donate to America Adapts, we are now a tax deductible charitable organization! The 10 Best Sustainability Podcasts for Environmental Business Leadershttps://us.anteagroup.com/news-events/blog/10-best-sustainability-podcasts-environmental-business-leaders Join the climate change adaptation movement by supporting America Adapts!  Please consider supporting this podcast by donating through America Adapts fiscal sponsor, the Social Good Fund. All donations are now tax deductible! For more information on this podcast, visit the website at http://www.americaadapts.org and don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.   Podcast Music produce by Richard Haitz Productions Write a review on Apple Podcasts ! America Adapts on Facebook!   Join the America Adapts Facebook Community Group. Check us out, we're also on YouTube! Subscribe to America Adapts on Apple Podcasts Doug can be contacted at americaadapts @ g mail . com