RAND Gulf States Experts Available to Discuss Disaster Recovery Five Years After Katrina

Five years ago on Aug. 29, Hurricane Katrina made landfall in the Gulf Coast, causing widespread destruction to sections of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, and leading to levee failure and even wider destruction in New Orleans. Even as the region continues the recovery process from that disaster, it now must grapple with new problems caused by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill earlier this year and the potential threat of the current hurricane season.

The RAND Gulf States Policy Institute has several experts available to discuss the continuing efforts to rebuild after the hurricanes, how multiple disasters complicate the recovery process and how residents of the Gulf States are coping with new threats.

Joie Acosta, associate behavioral scientist at RAND. Topics: The need for comprehensive disaster case-management planning; how community resilience factors into national health security.

Anita Chandra, behavioral scientist at RAND. Topics: Why an "all-hazards" approach to disaster preparedness planning and effective local planning is critical; the role of non-governmental organizations in helping people recover from disasters over the long-term; why it takes people so long to fully recover from a natural disaster like Katrina.

Debra Knopman, director of RAND Infrastructure, Safety, and Environment. Topics: Water resources development, coastal protection and restoration; infrastructure investments; energy and environment.

Narayan Sastry, adjunct senior social scientist at RAND. Topics: New research findings on the displacement of citizens after Hurricane Katrina.

Sally Sleeper, director of research for the RAND Gulf States Policy Institute. Topics: New and ongoing RAND research throughout the region; how RAND Gulf States continues to build on its partnerships with universities and other organizations to offer evidence-based, objective policy solutions.

Ben Springgate, affiliated adjunct behavioral scientist at RAND and director of health for RAND Gulf States. Topics: Current evidence regarding population health and mental health concerns and health care infrastructure recovery/developments since Hurricane Katrina and the recent oil spill.

Kenneth B.Wells, senior scientist at RAND. Topics: Mental health after disasters; how community partnerships can improve health care and speed recovery.