Reflecting on Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: Impact, Lessons and the Future

In this episode of Delta Dispatches, host Simone Maloz, Campaign Director for Restore the Mississippi River Delta, reflects on the devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, emphasizing the importance of coastal restoration for Louisiana. Simone interviews Jessica Dandridge, Executive Director of the New Orleans Water Collaborative, who discusses the impact of these storms on her life. They also talk about the upcoming NOLA Water Week. In the second half, Simone chats with Sidney Coffee, former chair of the CPRA board, about the creation of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) post-Katrina, the significance of science-driven coastal restoration, and the ongoing need for education and investment in Louisiana's coast. You can learn more about the Water Collaborative at and and see the full schedule of NOLA Water Week events at 02:00 Interview with Jessica Dandridge: Water Justice and NOLA Water Week 10:09 Youth and the Legacy of Katrina 19:04 Exciting Events of NOLA Water Week 25:21 Introduction to Sidney Coffee and CPRA 36:18 The Role of Science in Coastal Restoration

You can listen to Reflecting on Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: Impact, Lessons and the Future online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Reflecting on Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: Impact, Lessons and the Future is an episode from Delta Dispatches by Restore the Mississippi River Delta.

This episode is 50:46 long.

This episode was published on Aug 21, 2025.

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