Hello and welcome back to State of Emergency. I am Zoya Teirstein, and today we will be discussing a park that one journalist called “the most unfortunate city in the United States.”
It has been just over four years since Hurricane Laura hit southwest Louisiana just before Category 5 status — the strongest hurricane the state had seen in a century. Six weeks later, Hurricane Delta, a Category 2, caused a similar level of destruction through the Bayou State. That winter, a severe freeze affected the devastated area. A few months later, spring floods dumped a foot and a half of rain on Lake Charles, the city that had already endured three monumental disasters by that point.
Hurricanes Laura and Delta devastated the city, displacing people and leaving them stranded in parts of the city.
I visited Louisiana in July to report on the community’s recovery and how the series of storms impacted its politics. Before I went, I observed a meeting of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, the governing body that oversees Lake Charles and the rest of Louisiana’s Calcasieu Parish. It was evident how eager officials were to move on from discussions of the disasters. An assessment presented at the meeting noted that “there is enthusiasm among our leaders to make significant progress in areas not related to hurricane recovery.” Minutes later, the jurors approved the use of the parish courthouse grounds for a food and music festival that its organizer promised would be the “premier festival for the month of November for the state and the region.”
However, when I visited Lake Charles and spoke to residents there, I discovered that while the city is making progress in recovering from the physical and economic damages of the storms, it is still struggling with another consequence: Hurricanes Laura and Delta devastated the city, displacing people and leaving them stranded in parts of the city as they sought refuge from damaged homes and neighborhoods. Some left the city altogether, ending up in cities like Houston and New Orleans. Lake Charles, the larger parish, the state, and even the government, however, do not have consistent or effective methods of tracking where these people have gone.
An aerial view shows damage to a neighborhood by Hurricane Laura outside of Lake Charles, Louisiana.
AFP via Getty Images
This has enduring political implications for both the people who leave and those who remain. When a town or community loses residents, it loses not only the social fabric that gives a city its character. Where people end up determines district lines, congressional representation, and how state and federal resources are distributed. So what happens when a state fails to capture the population-level impacts of natural disasters? How can cities account for storms that displace entire working-class families?
Lake Charles is one of the cities grappling with these questions, whether their elected officials are willing to acknowledge it or not. Until now, the invisible population shifts occurring in Lake Charles have been easier to ignore than damaged rooftops and abandoned buildings.
Read the full story, and see more photos from my trip to Lake Charles, here.
“I’m not giving up. I ain’t got nowhere else to go.”
Lake Charles resident Edward Gallien Jr., 67, lives with his pit bull, Red, on Pear Street in northern Lake Charles. His home was destroyed by Hurricane Laura in 2020. Gallien, who inherited his property from his parents, still holds out hope that assistance will come so he can rebuild. Title: Climate-Driven Displacement: Can the US Census Keep Up?
Introduction:
Climate change is causing extreme weather events that are displacing communities across the globe. The US Census plays a crucial role in tracking these displacements, but can it keep up with the pace of change? In this article, we will explore the challenges faced by the US Census in tracking climate-driven displacement and the implications for affected populations.
Main Points:
1. The Washington Post reports on the impact of extreme heat on rally attendees for both President Trump and Vice President Harris. The differing views on climate change between the candidates highlight the urgent need for action to address rising temperatures.
2. The National Hurricane Center is monitoring multiple systems in the Atlantic, with one potentially heading towards the Caribbean. The Atlantic hurricane season is at its peak in September, with the next named storm expected to be called Francine.
3. Hawaii’s Big Island faced severe flooding from Tropical Storm Hone, causing widespread damage and power outages. Another storm, Hurricane Gilma, is on its way to the Aloha State.
4. Schools in Michigan are facing closures due to extreme heat and power outages. Inadequate cooling systems are struggling to keep up with temperatures reaching the 90s, impacting students’ learning environment.
Conclusion:
The challenges posed by climate-driven displacement are evident in the various events unfolding across the country. The US Census must adapt to these changing circumstances to accurately track the impact on displaced populations. As we continue to witness the effects of climate change, it is crucial for policymakers and communities to work together to mitigate the consequences and protect vulnerable populations. Learn more about the impact of climate-driven displacement and the role of the US Census in tracking these changes.
Call to Action:
Stay informed about climate change and its impact on communities. Advocate for policies that address the root causes of climate-driven displacement and support efforts to protect those most affected by extreme weather events. Together, we can work towards a more sustainable and resilient future for all.
Overall, the article highlights the urgency of addressing climate change and its impact on displacement while emphasizing the importance of accurate data collection by the US Census.
