1. Hurricane Rita The Forgotten Storm September 24, 2005

2. The Great Mississippi River Flood of 1927 “….it penetrated to the core of the nation, washed away the surface, and revealed the nation’s character. Then it tested that character and changed it. It marked the end of a way of seeing the world and possibly the end of that world as well.” Rising Tide – John M. Barry

4. Calcasieu Parish Population – 185,862 Vinton DeQuincy Sulphur Lake Charles Westlake Iowa

5. Southwest Louisiana Economy Petrochemical Petrochemical Oil & Gas Oil & Gas Aviation Aviation Tourism/Gaming Tourism/Gaming Agriculture/timber Agriculture/timber Manufacturing Manufacturing Shipbuilding Shipbuilding Seafood Harvesting Seafood Harvesting Food Processing Food Processing Telecommunications Telecommunications Transportation and distribution Transportation and distribution Telecommunications Telecommunications Technology based industries Technology based industries

6. Rita Third Most Powerful Hurricane in Atlantic History National Geographic News National Geographic News September 22, 2005 -- Fueled by the warm late-summer waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Hurricane Rita exploded overnight into the third-most powerful hurricane on record for the Atlantic Basin. As of 5 a.m. today the hurricane's strongest winds were blowing at 175 miles an hour (280 kilometers an hour) and the barometric pressure at the storm's center had fallen to 26.51 inches, or 897 millibars.

7. Hurricane Katrina Impact 15,000-20,000 Katrina evacuees parishwide 5,000 evacuees in Calcasieu shelters 15,000-20,000 Katrina evacuees parishwide 5,000 evacuees in Calcasieu shelters

9. Katrina Sheltering Operation Today, there are more than 3,000 evacuees staying at the Civic Center with 1,800 others at Burton Coliseum. More are expected. We have fed, clothed and cared for the evacuees. We also have tried to Make them feel welcome here, because they will be here for a while. All of this is being done on a local level…. FEMA officials, who showed up last Saturday, described the Civic Center Shelter as top notch. Lake Charles and surrounding communities have given thousands of dollars in donations and even more in supplies. Years from now, people will look back at this event and say it was one of Lake Charles finest hours. -- American Press Editorial – September 9, 2005

10. Wednesday Night -- 10 am Forecast Map

11. Wednesday Night Briefing -9/21 8 hours before Mandatory Evacuation HURRICANE RITA PROBABILITIES NUMBER 18...NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL 10 PM CDT WED SEP 21 2005 HURRICANE RITA PROBABILITIES NUMBER 18...NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL 10 PM CDT WED SEP 21 2005 PROBABILITIES FOR GUIDANCE IN HURRICANE PROTECTION PLANNING BY GOVERNMENT AND DISASTER OFFICIALS AT 10 PM CDT...0300Z...THE CENTER OF RITA WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 24.6 NORTH...LONGITUDE 87.2 WEST PROBABILITIES FOR GUIDANCE IN HURRICANE PROTECTION PLANNING BY GOVERNMENT AND DISASTER OFFICIALS AT 10 PM CDT...0300Z...THE CENTER OF RITA WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 24.6 NORTH...LONGITUDE 87.2 WEST CHANCES OF.. HURRICANE PASSING WITHIN 65 NAUTICAL MILES OF LISTED LOCATIONS THROUGH 7PM CDT SAT SEP 24 2005 CHANCES OF.. HURRICANE PASSING WITHIN 65 NAUTICAL MILES OF LISTED LOCATIONS THROUGH 7PM CDT SAT SEP 24 2005 LOCATION % LOCATION LOCATION % LOCATION 25.5N 90.5W 43 FREEPORT, TX 25.5N 90.5W 43 FREEPORT, TX 26.3N 92.4W 30 PORT O CONNOR, TX 26.3N 92.4W 30 PORT O CONNOR, TX 27.5N 94.2W 24 CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 27.5N 94.2W 24 CORPUS CHRISTI, TX

12. Thursday Morning -- 9/22 4a.m. Advisory RITA HAS TURNED A LITTLE TO THE RIGHT DURING THE PAST SEVERAL HOURS AND THE INITIAL MOTION IS NOW 285/8....DATA SHOWS A STRONG MID-LEVEL RIDGE CENTERED OVER TEXAS.. MODELS FORECAST THIS RIDGE TO SHIFT EASTWARD INTO..THE EASTERN GULF OF MEXICO DURING THE NEXT 48 HR. THIS SHOULD ALLOW RITA TO TURN MORE NORTHWARD WITH TIME. THE TRACK GUIDANCE IS NOW CLUSTERED AROUND A LANDFALL BETWEEN THE SABINE RIVER AND MATAGORDA TEXAS IN 48-60 HR…... THE NEW FORECAST TRACK IS ALSO SHIFTED EASTWARD ABOUT 30 N MI...CALLING FOR LANDFALL NEAR THE BOLIVAR PENINSULA AND GALVESTON BAY. HOWEVER...IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE NEW TRACK IS ALONG THE LEFT OR WEST SIDE OF THE ENVELOPE OF GUIDANCE.

13. Thursday Morning -- 4 a.m. Forecast Map

14. Thursday Morning Headlines SW La. Readies for Hurricane With a surging Hurricane Rita headed for the Texas coast, Southwest Louisiana officials began preparing for at least a glancing blow from the powerful Category 5 storm, which could bring tropical storm-strength winds and a substantial storm surge to the area. With a surging Hurricane Rita headed for the Texas coast, Southwest Louisiana officials began preparing for at least a glancing blow from the powerful Category 5 storm, which could bring tropical storm-strength winds and a substantial storm surge to the area. People in Cameron Parish and low-lying areas of Calcasieu Parish were urged to evacuate due to an expected storm surge of up to 8 feet. Residents in mobile homes or other unsecured dwellings were urged to move to stronger structures because wind gusts here could reach 50 mph. People in Cameron Parish and low-lying areas of Calcasieu Parish were urged to evacuate due to an expected storm surge of up to 8 feet. Residents in mobile homes or other unsecured dwellings were urged to move to stronger structures because wind gusts here could reach 50 mph. Power outages were likely, officials said, and local Entergy crews were recalled Wednesday from Texas and southeastern Louisiana and placed on standby. Power outages were likely, officials said, and local Entergy crews were recalled Wednesday from Texas and southeastern Louisiana and placed on standby. Calcasieu and Cameron schools were closed for the rest of the week, and classes at McNeese State University were canceled. Calcasieu and Cameron schools were closed for the rest of the week, and classes at McNeese State University were canceled. Local officials began transporting Hurricane Katrina evacuees sheltered at the Lake Charles Civic Center and Burton Coliseum to shelters in Alexandria and Shreveport. Evacuees at the special-needs shelter on the McNeese campus were also moved.

15. The Aftermath 650,000 homes in Louisiana without electricity 650,000 homes in Louisiana without electricity Half a million people with no drinking water (three weeks) Half a million people with no drinking water (three weeks) $403 million in housing assistance to homeowners and renters $403 million in housing assistance to homeowners and renters

16. 200,000 acres of fresh water and intermediate marsh inundated with salt water. In Cameron Parish, “... the damage that was inflicted was beyond comprehension to the coastal communities of Cameron, Grand Chenier, Creole, Holly Beach, Pecan Island and Vermilion Parish” David Richard Stream Property Management

17. The Response All emergency responders – police, sheriff, firefighters, public works and medical personnel – remained on the job. All emergency responders – police, sheriff, firefighters, public works and medical personnel – remained on the job. Public officials coordinated relief efforts. Public officials coordinated relief efforts. Residents who remained assisted in cleanup. Residents who remained assisted in cleanup. Within 48 hours, FEMA and National Guard were distributing food, water and ice. Within 48 hours, FEMA and National Guard were distributing food, water and ice. FEMA and Red Cross began distributing emergency payments to evacuees. FEMA and Red Cross began distributing emergency payments to evacuees. 20,000 electrical utility workers deployed to restore power. 20,000 electrical utility workers deployed to restore power.

18. Role of Charitable and Non-profit Organizations American Red Cross – 500,000 meals, 660,000 snacks American Red Cross – 500,000 meals, 660,000 snacks Salvation Army – 223,000 hot meals and 131,000 snacks; 60,000 appliances and pieces of furniture; 18,000 food boxes; 4,300 personal comfort items; 8,500 Wal-Mart gift cards; 4,800 Kroger gift cards; 1,267 phone cards Salvation Army – 223,000 hot meals and 131,000 snacks; 60,000 appliances and pieces of furniture; 18,000 food boxes; 4,300 personal comfort items; 8,500 Wal-Mart gift cards; 4,800 Kroger gift cards; 1,267 phone cards “Fat Boys” – from the Civic Center 993,000 meals for Katrina/Rita “Fat Boys” – from the Civic Center 993,000 meals for Katrina/Rita Area churches, the synagogue and mosque also fed and sheltered victims and volunteers from all over the country. Area churches, the synagogue and mosque also fed and sheltered victims and volunteers from all over the country.

19. Restoration The petrochemical industry escaped serious damage, so most major employers in the area were able to continue operations and employees continued receiving paychecks. The petrochemical industry escaped serious damage, so most major employers in the area were able to continue operations and employees continued receiving paychecks. Notable exception – Harrah’s Riverboat Casino Complex (1,500 employees) Notable exception – Harrah’s Riverboat Casino Complex (1,500 employees)

20. Labor Shortage FEMA and other relief agencies hired workers for cleanup and reconstruction efforts at artificial salaries. FEMA and other relief agencies hired workers for cleanup and reconstruction efforts at artificial salaries. Refineries and petrochemical plants had to increase wage scales by $4.00 per hour and offer sign-on bonuses. Refineries and petrochemical plants had to increase wage scales by $4.00 per hour and offer sign-on bonuses. Many small businesses could not afford to pay higher wages and had to cut back on operations. Many small businesses could not afford to pay higher wages and had to cut back on operations. –For example, the local McDonald’s chain brought in 60 workers from Romania

21. Debris Removal By September 2006, FEMA had collected 8,523,181 cubic yards of debris By September 2006, FEMA had collected 8,523,181 cubic yards of debris 2,050,000 trash trucks, placed end to end and side to side, would fill a 4-lane highway from New York to California 2,050,000 trash trucks, placed end to end and side to side, would fill a 4-lane highway from New York to California Total cost - $232 million (as of June 2006) Total cost - $232 million (as of June 2006)