By David Soublet, Sr
Reflecting on the Past Storms
The devastation from Hurricanes Helene and Milton in neighboring states may remind us of our losses in Hurricane Katrina. We still vividly recall the long evacuation lines, rising floodwaters, and destroyed neighborhoods. Several books offer perspectives on that catastrophic storm. Chris Rose wrote #1 Dead in Attic, and former Mayor Ray Nagin penned Katrina’s Secrets: Storms After the Storm.
A Close Look at NOPD’s Response
Another valuable Katrina book focuses on the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) response. Inside the Eye: Hurricane Katrina gives former Police Chief Warren Riley’s account. It covers the days leading up to the storm, the height of its impact, and the federal levee breaks. At that time, Riley was second-in-command under Police Chief Eddie Compass.
Officers Facing Flooding and Danger
Many people know about the hundreds who drowned during Katrina. Some who almost drowned were police officers trapped in their homes or attics as floodwaters rose. One female officer in New Orleans East encountered snakes in her living room and fled upstairs to protect her mother. A sergeant in Lake Forest Estates, caring for his wife after cancer surgery, sought help when a tornado destroyed part of his roof. Another officer nearly drowned in his attic on Primrose Street. His desperate cries over police radios lasted what felt like an hour, leaving many officers believing he had perished.
Witnessing Tragedy at St. Claude General Hospital
However, you may not have heard what officers witnessed at St. Claude General Hospital. As floodwaters from the Lower 9th Ward rose above six feet, officers moved everyone to the third floor. Capt. John Bryson soon reported a body floating down St. Claude toward downtown. A woman’s body followed. Then came a baby. More bodies appeared, along with entire homes, overwhelmed by water pressure.
The Horror at Methodist Hospital
Methodist Hospital off Read Boulevard had its own chilling experience. On August 30, NOPD helped evacuate elderly patients from the flooded, powerless hospital. Inside, temperatures exceeded 100 degrees, and backed-up toilets created a sharp stench. Two decorated officers mapped out a plan. Unaware that the first-floor morgue was flooded, they were horrified when corpses, including children’s bodies, floated by. Improvising, they moved the bodies to a separate room so patients wouldn’t see them. Tragically, four days later, one officer involved committed suicide due to the emotional toll of Katrina.
Chaos at Orleans Parish Prison
Orleans Parish Prison also experienced heavy flooding and power loss. Prisoners eventually evacuated to the Broad Street overpass. But before that, violent inmates attacked deputies, dishing out severe beatings. One female officer was almost raped before another deputy intervened. Some guards even ditched their uniforms and hid to avoid being attacked or killed.
Looting Amid the Chaos
Looting reports are widely known. However, did you know looters not only ransacked Saks Fifth Avenue but also set it on fire? Overwhelmed, NOPD officers largely ignored orders to stop looting. Before reinforcements arrived, looters attacked an officer, hitting her head and stomping on her. Meanwhile, NOPD thwarted another gang attempting to loot Rubenstein Brothers across from Saks. Due to the chaos and inoperable prisons, officers mainly chased off looters rather than arresting them.
Behind the Scenes: Business Concerns vs. Public Safety
Interestingly, Riley overheard a businessman telling Mayor Nagin not to issue a mandatory evacuation. Some business leaders cared more about losing money than public safety. They even threatened to sue the mayor, telling him his services were “no longer required.”
Communication Breakdowns and Leadership Challenges
In addition to recounting the death and destruction, Riley highlights crippling communication breakdowns. As Katrina strengthened, landlines and cell phones went down. Riley and high-level officers relied on a garbled, shared radio channel. It was difficult to send or receive status reports.
Riley also takes a hard swing at former Chief Eddie Compass. Riley says Compass was absent during the storm’s height. And Riley says both he and Nagin struggled to locate him. Six months earlier, Nagin had told Riley that he planned to replace Compass. In Compass’ defense, his pregnant wife and child had evacuated outside Baton Rouge. Compass also says that he was present and rescuing people when they could not find him.
Lessons from the NOPD Response
Riley’s book reveals much more about the NOPD’s Katrina response. He describes officers leaving the city before and after landfall. Riley recounts the overwhelming 911 calls as floodwaters rose and the emotional toll on NOPD dispatchers. He reflects on the misunderstood initial response to the Danziger Bridge shooting. He also discusses the armed blockade White citizens built in Algiers to keep Black people out. Additionally, Riley addresses the unjust shooting of Henry Glover and the disposal of his body in Algiers.
A Tribute to the Heroes and Accountability for Failures
Riley’s book pays tribute to courageous NOPD officers. Yet, it also examines poor decisions and criminal actions by other officers, for which they were held accountable.