Upcoming LA-SEER Events
"20 YEARS AFTER KATRINA: LOUISIANA'S JOURNEY TO RESILIENCE"
Date: August 29, 2025
Time: 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Venue: Dalton J Woods Auditorium, ECE Building, LSU
Hurricane Katrina (2005) remains one of America’s most devastating natural disasters, causing over 1,800 fatalities and about $161 billion in damage. The storm’s aftermath exposed deep vulnerabilities in infrastructure, inequity in disaster impact, and significant environmental damage, including coastal erosion and wetland loss. Over the past two decades, Louisiana has worked to turn these difficult lessons into meaningful improvements in resilience and disaster preparedness.
To mark the 20th anniversary of Katrina, a commemorative event organized by LA-SEER, LSU AgCenter’s LA House Research & Education Center, and the College of the Coast & Environment’s Coastal Environment Graduate Organization (CEGO) will bring together academics, researchers, state and local agency professionals, students, and community stakeholders to reflect on Louisiana’s evolving risk and resilience landscape.
“20 Years After Katrina: Louisiana’s Journey to Resilience” is more than a reflection. Participants will share what has been achieved, highlight ongoing efforts, and discuss future strategies for enhancing statewide resilience. By uniting diverse voices and expertise, the event aims to identify successes, address remaining gaps, and inspire continued research and action in disaster risk management, ensuring that Katrina’s lessons continue to shape a safer, more resilient Louisiana.
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EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
9:00 AM to 9:10 AM
Inaugural Remarks by Dr. Matt Lee, Interim President, LSU
09:10 AM to 09:20 AM
Special Remarks by Dr. Clinton Willson, Professor and Dean of the LSU College of the Coast & Environment
09:20 AM to 09:30 AM
Remarks by Dr. Thomas Douthat, Director, LA-SEER Center
09:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Before and Beyond Landfall: A Climatologist and a Commander Reflect
This opening session will feature Louisiana state climatologist Jay Grymes and General Russel L Honoré as they recount Hurricane Katrina’s meteorological evolution and the immediate response challenges.
10:50 AM to 11:50 AM
Panel Discussion - “After the Storm: Two Decades of Rebuilding and Impact”
This panel will explore the key recovery initiatives launched after Katrina and their impact on communities, infrastructure, and policy. Speakers will reflect on how these efforts have shaped today’s resilience landscape.
11:50 AM to 12:00 PM
Introducing: Kid's Art Exhibition - "Resilient Futures Through STEAM: Youth Arts for Community Awareness and Environmental Resilience" by Dr. Meggan Franks
1:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Special Talk by Dr. Robert Twilley on “The State of Resilience Today: A 20-Year Checkpoint”
1:30 PM to 2:10 PM
Seminar Session - “Innovating Resilience: Solutions Inspired by Katrina”
This session will spotlight transformative ideas and solutions that emerged in response to Katrina’s challenges. It will showcase how the disaster sparked innovation across design, engineering, planning, and policy.
2:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Panel Discussion - “Ahead of the Storm: Future Resilience Strategies for Louisiana”
Focusing on the future, this panel will discuss planned initiatives, emerging technologies, and policy directions to enhance Louisiana’s disaster preparedness, highlighting innovative paths toward long-term resilience.
3:30 PM to 3:40 PM
Closing Remarks by Dr. Robert Rohli, Professor, Department of Oceanography & Coastal Sciences, LSU
3:40 PM to 4:00 PM
Poster Presentation Session: “Waves of Innovation: Hurricane Research Posters”
This session will feature research posters presenting studies and solution designs on hurricanes, flooding, and disaster resilience.
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Resilient Futures Through STEAM: Youth Arts for Community Awareness and Environmental Resilience
Kids Art Exhibition on resiliency related issues (wind, flood, and environmental constraints) surrounding south Louisiana communities
FEATURED VOICES:
Dr. Matt Lee, Interim President, LSU
Dr. Robert Twilley, Professor and Vice President, Research & Economic Development at LSU
Dr. Clinton S Willson, Professor and Dean of the LSU College of the Coast & Environment
Jay Grymes, Louisiana State Climatologist
Lieutenant General Russel L Honoré
Dr. Carol Friedland, Professor and Director, LaHouse Research and Education Center, LSU AgCenter
Dr. Thomas Douthat, Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences and Director, LA-SEER Center, LSU
Stephen Swiber, Chief Resilience Officer, State of Louisiana
Dr. Monica Teets-Farris, Director, University of New Orleans - CHART
Dr. Julie Lively, Executive Director, Louisiana Sea Grant
David A Ramirez, P.E. D.WRE, Chief, Hydraulics-Hydrology-Coastal Engineering Branch, USACE
Dr. Shih Ang Hsu, Professor Emeritus, Coastal Studies Institute, LSU
Jeffrey Giering, State Hazard Mitigation Officer, GOHSEP
Katie Freer-Leonards, Assistant Administrator for Strategic Planning, CPRA
Dr. Robert Rohli, Professor, Department of Oceanography & Coastal Sciences, LSU
Dr. Meggan Franks, Assistant Professor - Extension, LaHouse Research and Education Center, LSU AgCenter
Dr. Nazla Bushra, Assistant Professor-Research, Office of State Climatology