Summary

9/11 galvanized the US against terrorism. Congress went back to work on legislation that would eventually result in the Department of Homeland Security. It was the largest reorganization of US government since the end of World War II. DHS took on the task of making airports more secure. They also consolidated control of the nation’s borders, approaches, and ports of entry. In addition to trying to prevent and protect against another 9/11-type attack, DHS also assumed a coordinating role to make certain the nation was better repaired to respond and recover. DHS instituted standards for emergency management that would enhance the ability of First Responders to work together from across the nation. And the changes didn’t end at our shores. The US went after those responsible for 9/11. When the Afghanistan government refused to extradite Osama bin Laden, the US backed their opponents with airpower and succeeded in deposing the Taliban by December 2001. In the midst of the fighting bin Laden managed to escape, prompting an international manhunt offering a $25 million reward. Meanwhile, to reduce support for bin Laden and al Qaeda, US forces would have to withdraw from Saudi Arabia. But they couldn’t because Saddam Hussein still remained in power in Iraq. On March 20^th, 2003, with the US again at the head of an international coalition, Operation IRAQI FREEDOM launched a combined air and ground invasion of Iraq. Within six weeks coalition forces overran the Iraqi Army and took Baghdad. Saddam Hussein fled into hiding, but was eventually captured. On December 30^th, 2006, he was hanged for war crimes. Shortly after Saddam Hussein was ousted, US military forces were withdrawn from Saudi Arabia. Bin Laden too was eventually found hiding in Pakistan. On May 2^nd, 2011, Navy SEALs raided bin Laden’s compound in Abbottabad, only a mile away from the Pakistan Military Academy. Within minutes of breaching his compound, the SEALS reported “Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo”, confirming they killed Osama bin Laden. Unfortunately, as the nation turned its attention towards terrorism, it lost sight of that other maker of domestic catastrophic destruction, nature. On August 29^th, 2005, Hurricane Katrina slammed into New Orleans with 125 mph winds and a 14-foot storm surge. New Orleans suffered little damage from the direct hit, but the residual storm dumped 8-10 inches of rain on Lake Pontchartrain, causing it to overflow canals that ran through the City. By August 31^st, 80% of the City was flooded, some parts 15-feet deep. People were trapped in their homes and drowned in their attics as they tried to escape the rising waters. Those who managed to escape found the shelters overwhelmed and incapable of providing basic services. Emergency services across the City broke down, and Federal relief was slow to arrive. Sadly, 1,464 Louisiana citizens lost their lives to Hurricane Katrina. Government at all levels had failed to plan, prepare, and respond aggressively to the storm. Whereas 9/11 was called a “failure of imagination”, Hurricane Katrina was called a “failure of initiative”. Primary blame fell on the Department of Homeland Security. Its focus on terrorism had detracted from emergency management. As a result, the Department was overhauled and its mission broadened to encompass “All Hazards”.