The Mardi Gras Index (2006)

The storms of 2005 are the most important event to unfold in the South in over a generation. The staggering devastation of hurricanes Katrina and Rita — and the deep scars of race and class injustice they revealed to mainstream America — have made the task of rebuilding after the storms a critical test of our nation's priorities.

Since Katrina hit, we at Southern Exposure and the Institute have been closely monitoring the progress of post-storm rebuilding. We've made four fact-finding trips to Louisiana and Mississippi, and launched Gulf Coast Reconstruction Watch (www.reconstructionwatch.org ), a special project to investigate and document the Gulf rebuilding process and keep Katrina on the national radar.

After talking to hundreds of Gulf residents and community leaders, and analyzing reams of data, the conclusion is sobering and clear: by almost any measure, our country has failed the Katrina test.

It would be impossible to capture the stories of triumph, scandal, heartbreak, relief, and anger we've encountered. But in talking to hundreds of Gulf residents about rebuilding after Katrina, two common themes emerged.

First, most Gulf residents think the nation — especially Washington — has turned its back on them. After a flurry of post-Katrina media coverage, donations (which often didn't make it to those in need), and political promises, many say they have been left to fend for themselves. 

Second, most believe this is a national problem that requires bold, national action. Washington has an obligation to act, given that federally-built levees and a botched national response caused much of the devastation. What's more, only federal resources and coordination can address the scale of the tasks ahead.