Planet Money: "There Will Be Flood"
Host: Alexi Horowitz Ghazi & Mary Childs
Release Date: December 6, 2024
Host/Author: NPR's Planet Money
Introduction: The Struggle Against the Gulf's Encroaching Waters
In the latest episode of Planet Money, hosted by Alexi Horowitz Ghazi and Mary Childs, the spotlight shines on Wendell Curall, a dedicated levee district manager in southern Louisiana. The episode delves into the intricate battle between manmade infrastructure and nature’s relentless forces, exploring how individual determination can clash with federal regulations in the face of escalating natural disasters.
Wendell Curall: A Lifetime Dedicated to Protection
[02:25]
Wendell Curall, a man in his mid-70s with a deep-rooted connection to Cajun country, has spent over four decades working alongside the federal government to construct and maintain levees that protect his community from the Gulf Coast’s persistent threats. Born and raised in a French-speaking household of shrimp fishermen and oil rig workers, Wendell's pride in his homeland is palpable.
"The big picture is that the land is sinking and open water from the Gulf keeps increasing, so there's less to slow down any wave action."
— Wendell Curall [04:38]
Standing on a grassy ridgeline that serves as a natural barrier between land and water, Wendell explains the delicate balance required to maintain these levees. His levee system, a 48-mile-long ring, safeguards a community of over 10,000 residents. However, building and sustaining such infrastructure is far from straightforward.
The Federal Partnership and Its Limitations
[09:35]
As the head of the South Lafourche Levee District since 1980, Wendell has navigated the complexities of collaborating with the Army Corps of Engineers. This federal entity, historically responsible for flood control and levee construction along the Mississippi River, plays a pivotal role in shaping local defense mechanisms against hurricanes.
"When I took the job, I said, look, this is life and death for people. I had to tell myself from the beginning, people can die. You better make sure you do the best job possible."
— Wendell Curall [09:35]
The Army Corps operates under stringent economic assessments to determine whether federal funds should be allocated for flood prevention or post-disaster response. This cost-benefit analysis often pits local urgencies against broader federal priorities, leading to challenging decisions about where to invest limited resources.
Hurricane Katrina: A Turning Point
[16:33]
The devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was a watershed moment for flood management in the United States. The catastrophic failure of New Orleans' levee system highlighted the dire need for robust and reliable flood defenses.
"The Corps changed their specifications for how thick the levees had to be. Wendell says they started requiring heavier and more expensive clays that often had to be transported from further away."
— Mary Childs [17:39]
In response, the Army Corps overhauled their construction standards, demanding higher and more resilient levees. For Wendell and his district, this meant navigating increased costs and bureaucratic red tape, which threatened the timely enhancement of their own levee system.
Wendell’s Gamble: Going Rogue
[19:16]
Faced with the limitations of federal processes and the escalating threat of larger storms, Wendell made a pivotal decision to take matters into his own hands. Rejecting the Corps' slower, more expensive methods, he opted to elevate the levees beyond federal specifications.
"Elevation is a salvation to inundation."
— Wendell Curall [18:32]
To fund this ambitious push, Wendell spearheaded a campaign to secure a 1% sales tax in South Lafourche—a politically challenging proposition in a region typically resistant to new taxes. Through strategic community engagement and transparent communication, he successfully garnered 82% approval at the polls.
Building Higher, Faster: The Independent Approach
[20:02]
With newfound funding and state support, Wendell’s team began constructing levees up to 18 feet high, bypassing the Army Corps’ stringent approval processes. This bold move was met with resistance from federal authorities, culminating in threats to decertify the local levee district and remove it from federal support programs.
"We're not going to spend our money in the bank and fix one problem and spend so much money we can't do our other problems."
— Wendell Curall [19:16]
Undeterred by potential financial repercussions and legal challenges, Wendell pushed forward, driven by the urgent need to safeguard his community against increasingly severe hurricanes.
Hurricane Ida: Testing the Resilience
[26:21]
Sixteen years after Katrina, Hurricane Ida posed a formidable challenge to southern Louisiana. As Ida approached as a Category 4 storm with winds reaching 150 mph and massive storm surges, Wendell and his team braced for impact.
"I guarantee you, if we had listened to the Corps and done everything that they wanted us to do, our levee would have been 4 to 5ft lower than it was for Hurricane Ida, and we would have lost people's lives."
— Wendell Curall [29:13]
When Ida struck, Wendell’s elevated levees held firm, preventing catastrophic flooding and saving countless lives. The community's resilience stood as a testament to Wendell’s unorthodox methods and unwavering commitment.
Aftermath and Reconciliation
[30:21]
In the wake of Ida, acknowledgment from the community poured in. Despite initial federal disapproval, the success of the levees demonstrated the efficacy of Wendell’s approach.
"Heath says there's a good chance this levee will get back into the Army Corps system."
— Mary Childs [32:07]
Heath Jones of the Army Corps of Engineers recognized the value of Wendell’s efforts, emphasizing the importance of adherence to standards while also acknowledging the necessity of effective local solutions.
"We would absolutely welcome South Lafourche Levee District back into the program if they do the work that was originally required to get those permits and make sure that they're up to our standards."
— Heath Jones [32:07]
Conclusions: Balancing Federal Oversight and Local Innovation
Wendell Curall’s story underscores the delicate balance between federal guidelines and local innovation in disaster preparedness. While federal standards aim to provide consistency and reliability across regions, Wendell’s independent actions highlight the critical need for flexibility and responsiveness to immediate, localized threats.
"It's not solving everything. It's minimizing the loss of life and the loss of property. Minimizing? You don't control God."
— Wendell Curall [33:09]
As southern Louisiana continues to grapple with sinking land and increasingly powerful storms, the episode poses essential questions about the future of flood management: How can federal agencies better support proactive local initiatives? And what lessons can be learned from Wendell’s blend of adherence and defiance to optimize community resilience?
Notable Quotes:
- "Elevation is a salvation to inundation." — Wendell Curall [18:32]
- "If we can see grass on the ground tomorrow, which means flooded waters didn't come in, it's a good day. Nothing else matters." — Wendell Curall [27:49]
- "We're not going to spend our money in the bank and fix one problem and spend so much money we can't do our other problems." — Wendell Curall [19:16]
- "It's not solving everything. It's minimizing the loss of life and the loss of property. Minimizing? You don't control God." — Wendell Curall [33:09]
Final Thoughts
"There Will Be Flood" paints a vivid portrait of resilience, innovation, and the complex interplay between local needs and federal policies. Wendell Curall’s unwavering dedication offers valuable insights into effective disaster prevention strategies, emphasizing that sometimes, taking calculated risks is essential for the greater good.
Produced by: Emma Peace
Edited by: Jess Zhang
Fact-Checked by: Sierra Juarez
Engineered by: Gilly Moon
Executive Producer: Alex Goldmark
Special Thanks: Ricky Boyette, Josh Howe, Rachel Rhode, and journalist Katie Thornton of The Guardian