How the Dutch are helping New Orleans stay dry
Residents of New Orleans rescued by police boats walk from floodwaters in front of the Superdome in New Orleans September 1, 2005. New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin issues an urgent plea for relief, saying the flooded city lacks food for thousands of Hurricane Katrina’s refugees as well as buses to evacuate them.
Eight years ago Thursday, "the storm" hit New Orleans. That's what people there still call it.
The city hasn't had a storm as destructive as Hurricane Katrina since 2005.
And numerous other disasters around the US have simply added to the distance of the memory of Katrina.
But, for the people of New Orleans and southern Louisiana, the basic challenge hasn't changed: How do you co-exist with water when you're surrounded by it.
Aside from New Orleanians themselves, one other group has taken a special interest: the Dutch.
The story you just read is accessible and free to all because thousands of listeners and readers contribute to our nonprofit newsroom. We go deep to bring you the human-centered international reporting that you know you can trust. To do this work and to do it well, we rely on the support of our listeners. If you appreciated our coverage this year, if there was a story that made you pause or a song that moved you, would you consider making a gift to sustain our work through 2024 and beyond?