Ten Years Since Hurricane Katrina
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: August 19, 2021
Ten years have passed since Hurricane Katrina, a Category 3 storm more than 400 miles across and with sustained winds of 100-140 miles an hour, made landfall. The storm devastated the coastal regions of Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana.
“We are public servants first. No one hesitated to volunteer. Everyone just started doing what they could to help those in need. That’s what Social Security is about. It’s who we are.”
Katrina’s surge overwhelmed protective levees near New Orleans, and the resulting floodwaters covered almost 80 percent of the city.
Many New Orleans residents evacuated ahead of the hurricane hoping for the best. Those that remained in the city fled to nearby shelters. Rescue teams worked hard to reach others who were trapped and unable to reach safety. A lack of cell phone service and other basic communications infrastructure made staying in contact with loved ones difficult. In the chaos, family members began desperate searches to find missing relatives.
As one of the first organizations to respond to the crisis, the Social Security Administration (SSA), began organizing immediately to meet the needs of those who couldn’t access their benefit check, those who lost their identification documents, or those who tragically lost a loved one in the storm.
SSA transported 171 volunteer employees from across the nation to join those employees who were still serving the public despite many having lost everything in the storm themselves.
SSA quickly established six portable offices in southern Louisiana, in addition to mobile support units charged with providing direct service to those housed in shelters. Many New Orleans residents were bussed out of the most affected areas of the city to Houston’s Astrodome, where they had access to a variety of government services, including an onsite Social Security office.
Offices from Dallas to Houston, across Louisiana, and Arkansas opened early, closed late, and remained open over the weekend. Social Security employees worked extended hours in the first few weeks after Katrina, as they ensured those who needed service received it. SSA employees sent hundreds of care packages to those in shelters and brought toys, coloring books, and clothing to distribute to those visiting Social Security’s offices.
Social Security employees are dedicated to serving the public, whether the storm is an unprecedented hurricane or one of the many storms of life. As one staff member put it, “We are public servants first. No one hesitated to volunteer. Everyone just started doing what they could to help those in need. That’s what Social Security is about. It’s who we are.”
Did you find this Information helpful?
Tags: social security, SSA
See CommentsAbout the Author
Sarah Schultz-Lackey, Regional Communications Director, Dallas
Sarah Schultz-Lackey, Regional Communications Director, Dallas
Comments
Comments are closed.
Chieko K.
I think this is one of the most important information forme. And i’m glad reading your article. But wannaremark on few general things, The site style is wonderful, the articlesis really nice : D. Good job, cheers
http://www.dlllejkk.edu
lotto7656
These lotteries are devided into three parts and from their one part which is published on 4pm called as old lotterysambad result.
lottoresult3323323
Download lottery sambad evening result from the government site nagaland state lottery and lottery sambad live.sambad lottery
Choti S.
Watch Choti Sardarni All Episodes Online In HD.
Bigg B.
Watch Bigg Boss 14 All Episodes Online In HD.
Bigg B.
Very informative article. Thanks for sharing this kind of great information. Keep it up.
Bigg Boss 14
Pallavi
Great write-up, I am a big believer in commenting on blogs to inform the blog writers know that they’ve
added something worthwhile to the world wide web!.. Lottery Sambad
Puja A.
Thanks for all your valuable hard work on this website. Betty is happy to participate in the research
and it is really obvious why. I learn everything about the lively way it presents rewarding elements
in this blog and it also improves the contribution of others in this concept, so my princess is no
doubt starting to learn many things. Enjoy the rest of the year. You did a great job. Lottery Sambad
Ram
nice post check my site Lottery Sambad
Kissasian
Was very disappointed that you failed to mention the Gulf Coast and the victims. Was raised on the Gulf Coast and personally saw the death and destruction from Bay St Louis to Biloxi. New Orleans wasn’t the only place affected!!!!!
https://iptvm3utoday.com/