Episode 4: ‘How can I reduce flooding in my neighborhood?’

WWNO

2 months ago

When it rains, it pours. And when it pours, it floods.

More and more, that appears to be the situation down South. In New Orleans, several big rain storms in recent years have turned streets into rivers and flooded homes and cars.

This week on Life Raft: flooding. What can we do about it?

How Much Can We Blame The 2020 Hurricane Season On Climate Change? – Life Raft

The 2020 Hurricane Season was intense. It set all kinds of records: most named storms in a season,and most to rapidly intensify, among others. Five storms hit the Louisiana coast. How much of this can we chalk up to climate change, and how much has to do with normal weather patterns? What’s the link between hurricanes and climate change? This week on Life Raft we revisit interviews with people who survived Hurricane Laura this summer, take a road trip across Louisiana, and learn the latest science about climate change and hurricanes. Do you have a question you want us to explore? Send it to us! There’s a super simple form on our website. For bonus pictures and extra fun vibes, follow us on social media. We’re on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Support for WWNO’s Coastal Desk comes from the Greater New Orleans Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and listeners like you. If you like what you hear from Life Raft, consider making a donation to WRKF and WWNO to help keep the show going!

How Much Can We Blame The 2020 Hurricane Season On Climate Change? 20:57
Bonus Episode: Confronting The Loss That Climate Change Promises 20:37
HumaNature: Afrovivalist 17:47
How Can I Reduce Flooding In My Neighborhood? 25:33
So You’ve Got Climate Anxiety. Here’s What You Can Do With It. 26:02

We speak drop by a bar that regularly floods, get the latest science on climate-induced rainfall, and visit with a New Orleanian who decided to get her hands dirty and take some action.

Here are some great resources for how to help reduce flooding in your neighborhood:

This workbook from WaterWise Gulf South is a great how-to guide for getting started on your own green infrastructure.
The Urban Conservancy has a program that reimburses New Orleanians for ripping up concrete in their yards.
Healthy Community Services (run by Angela Chalk, who you heard in Episode 1) also does lots of work around green infrastructure in New Orleans.

P.S. Here’s the legendary photo of “Darryl.”

Got a question you want us to explore? Send it to us!

For bonus pictures and extra fun vibes, follow us on social media. We’re on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.