The Cop | The Politician | The Basic | The Visionary | The Parish President | The Cop: With New Orleans nearly totally underwater following catastrophic levee breaks at three separate places, it was chaos within the metropolis.Individuals have been left stranded, there was widespread looting and rampant violence was reported.For police, it was an all-hands-on-deck state of affairs with officers working in unimaginable circumstances.’My title is Eddie Compass, and I used to be chief of police throughout Hurricane Katrina.’Eddie Compass was New Orleans’ prime cop in 2005 and was thrust into the highlight because the storm made landfall.”We needed to assume on our toes, every thing was occurring so rapidly,” mentioned Compass.WDSU caught up with the now 66-year-old close to his dwelling within the Warehouse District.For Compass, 20 years felt just like the blink of a watch. After Katrina hit, police precincts flooded, officers deserted their jobs and a few even died. No police chief, arguably in any main American metropolis, had ever needed to take care of what Compass did in 2005. “There was no blueprint, no blueprint — I needed to go the place nobody had ever gone earlier than … and I knew one factor: human life was paramount,” mentioned Compass.And that confirmed.Officers, together with Compass, stepped up. Many have been utilizing their very own boats, doing water rescues on metropolis streets.The toll of the storm was laborious, and plenty of cops misplaced every thing. Some have been pressured to patrol in private automobiles carrying simply blue denims and T-shirts.Compass didn’t maintain again, updating the media continually with real-time data, which turned out to be an issue.”I needed to be clear with every thing, I did not need to cover something, and I feel I gave out an excessive amount of data too rapidly earlier than we have been in a position to confirm issues, nevertheless it’s a catch-22 — had I not given out an excessive amount of data and this stuff turned out to be true, individuals would have mentioned I used to be attempting to cowl issues up,” mentioned Compass.It did not take lengthy for Compass to butt heads with the person who appointed him as superintendent in 2002: then-Mayor Ray Nagin.Compass was pressured out — requested to resign by Nagin in late September 2005, lower than one month after the storm hit.Compass gave up his dream job whereas the town was nonetheless evacuated. Compass believes he was the political scapegoat for what went unsuitable after the storm. “Oh, very a lot so, very a lot so — however that is the character of politics. However I wasn’t a politician; I used to be a police officer. I got here up by means of the ranks, I used to be one in all only a few chiefs that got here up by means of each single rank, no politics. I paid my dues, I wasn’t about politics — I used to be concerning the police division, and me and the mayor had a number of conflicts, I’d say, as a result of I labored for him to do issues a sure method, I’d say, ‘Sir, I give you the results you want however I additionally work for the town of New Orleans, and I’m not going to compromise my integrity,’ and we bumped heads so much,” mentioned Compass.Because the storm, Compass began accumulating his retirement and nonetheless does personal safety and works particulars as a reserve constable.He has 5 grown youngsters and a brand new spouse and likewise began a second profession: mentoring and coaching younger athletes.One in all his mentees is former LSU and NFL star Leonard Fornette.”I am a blessed man,” mentioned Compass, who nonetheless calls New Orleans dwelling.He’s a determine who loomed massive when the town handled probably the most damaging hurricane to ever hit the state.Compass needs historical past to recollect him for his love of the town. “I would like them to recollect me for being compassionate about my metropolis. I would like them to recollect me for having integrity and honesty. I would like them to recollect me for proudly owning as much as the errors that I did make. I need to be remembered for not holding a grudge or vendetta for people who destroyed my profession. I forgave them — I’ve gone on with my life,” mentioned Compass.It is a life he continues to reside with a smile on his face every day. The Politician: The video and pictures of Hurricane Katrina are inescapable.What occurred to New Orleans within the days following Hurricane Katrina, when three levees broke and the town flooded, is unfathomable.Nevertheless, it wasn’t simply New Orleans that handled catastrophic harm. Elements of neighboring Jefferson Parish additionally flooded. Individuals have been caught and destruction was evident in so many neighborhoods.’I am Aaron Broussard, former Jefferson Parish president in the course of the time of Hurricane Katrina.’Aaron Broussard is now 76 years outdated and nonetheless lives and works in Jefferson Parish.For Broussard, the considered Katrina nonetheless elicits a bodily response. “It was such a horrific expertise. I do not actually mirror on Katrina besides after they begin speaking about one other main storm — there’s an uncomfortable tingling in my abdomen, like, ‘Oh my goodness. I hope this isn’t almost as unhealthy as that,'” Broussard mentioned.A transfer by Broussard because the monster storm neared nonetheless attracts the ire of hundreds in Jefferson Parish.Simply earlier than Katrina made landfall, Broussard evacuated the parish pump operators.Properties throughout Metairie and Kenner took on water, resulting in over $3 billion in insurance coverage claims filed.Individuals to today nonetheless scrutinize Broussard’s option to evacuate the pump operators, however he says his determination was made to protect life. “Yeah, look, there are individuals who mentioned we have been actually susceptible throughout a Cat 3 hurricane — with a Cat 4 or 5 coming in, they undoubtedly weren’t secure,” Broussard mentioned.It is a determination Broussard nonetheless owns, because it led to secure homes at pump stations and a greater evacuation plan, that are nonetheless in place at present.”Each main tragedy and also you have a look at the aftermath, there’s a human inclination guilty not God, however human frailty or blame it on a mistake. I grew to become that face, I accepted that as management. I did not scapegoat anymore or level the finger or blame the one that wrote the plan — took all of the arrows within the chest as a result of that was management,” Broussard mentioned.Broussard, a lifelong conservative Democrat, is aware of a factor or two about management.He was elected to a seat on the varsity board on the younger age of 23, and his rise by means of Jefferson Parish politics was legendary.From college boards to the Parish Council, Kenner mayor, again to the Jefferson Parish council after which, in 2003, successful the race for parish president.He was elected 12 separate occasions, and he by no means misplaced a race for public workplace.”I am very completely satisfied for the alternatives I needed to serve the general public for about 40 years. I used to be very pleased with the factor I used to be in a position to do,” Broussard mentioned.However in 2010, all of it got here crashing down.Broussard abruptly resigned from workplace and was later indicted on federal prices associated to payroll fraud. In 2013, he pleaded responsible and went to jail for over three years.The expertise hanged him.”I am not proud that I went to jail and apologized to the individuals of Jefferson Parish and everybody that I harmed, however I realized from that, and that is again to Katrina; classes realized, everytime you take a fall in life, don’t remain at that spot, do not linger too. Stand up and get again within the race. I feel that God has a plan for all of us, and it is to maintain on transferring ahead in constructive methods,” Broussard mentioned. Broussard now ministers to inmates and participates in church-related actions, and he is battling most cancers.He’s nonetheless witty, jovial and chatty, and has only a few regrets.He hopes the general public will see his determination throughout Katrina by means of his eyes. “Some will all the time see me because the face they are going to be indignant at as a result of they imagine I did one thing to them, some hurt to them — and I perceive that. However there are others that can say, ‘Hey, I do know Aaron and he did the issues he did as a result of he thought it was in the perfect curiosity as Katrina was approaching,'” Broussard mentioned. The Basic: The person who led navy restoration operations 20 years in the past when the town was underwater after Hurricane Katrina says individuals who need assistance would possibly need to depend on one another and never the federal authorities. The attention-opening feedback come from a retired normal whose presence loomed massive after the lethal 2005 storm. In a candid, unfiltered dialog, WDSU’s Travers Mackel sat down with retired Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré in our newest “Faces of Katrina” report about what occurred 20 years in the past.WARNING: Viewer discretion is suggested. Sizzling off a helicopter and using into New Orleans barking out orders, Honoré set to work.One passionate normal was ordered into the town to steer navy restoration and response efforts as 80% of the town was underwater and hundreds of individuals remained stranded.Honoré is an Military veteran who toured the world. He spent his navy profession protecting worldwide disaster occasions. In August 2005, when the White Home advised him to take cost of a chaotic state of affairs after the levees broke, he knew he had no time to waste. He even left his mark on then-Mayor Ray Nagin.”Nagin made a remark, he mentioned, ‘This John Wayne dude got here rolling into city.’ You speak about issues that stick — that caught with individuals?” requested Mackel.”It did, it did — that was one in all them one-liners that stayed there,” mentioned Honoré.He didn’t mince phrases on how that designation made him really feel. “Nicely, John Wayne was a f—— actor, and he may shoot the scene over. That wasn’t the case there, and it caught with lots of people,” mentioned Honoré.A Louisiana native and Southern College grad, Honoré commanded Activity Pressure Katrina.His job was to steer navy models on search-and-rescue missions, restoration efforts and evacuations, all whereas getting individuals out of the Conference Heart and Superdome.”I am honored to have served, and the largest contribution personally was to scrub up the message. I get far an excessive amount of credit score than I deserve as a result of the individuals who did the actual work are the troops and the primary responders and the volunteers,” mentioned Honoré.Now 78 and retired, Honoré has written books, taught at Southern College and leads the Louisiana Inexperienced Military.Louisiana Inexperienced Military is an alliance of civic, group and environmental teams and anxious residents from throughout Louisiana devoted to successful significant local weather change. In relation to Katrina, Honoré didn’t maintain again about his expertise. “I inform the story from the place I noticed it,” mentioned Honoré, who WDSU interviewed on the bluff on Southern’s campus in Baton Rouge.Whereas Honoré says the state and federal response to pure disasters is healthier for the reason that 2005 storm, the retired 3 begin normal nonetheless has considerations.”In an actual catastrophe, the federal government won’t ever f^@+be there on time. It is neighbors serving to neighbors that is going to avoid wasting lives. The federal government can present meals, water, drugs and evacuate individuals, however on the subject of catastrophe, it is the native individuals who save lives. Yeah, we had a detachment from the Nationwide Guard, however they have been at Jackson Barracks and their automobiles flooded,” mentioned Honoré.”Persons are going prime say which means one thing coming from you, 20 years later,” requested Mackel.”If the federal government is on time, it wasn’t a f—— catastrophe, it was an inconvenience. We have by no means been there all of the f—— time for individuals,” mentioned Honoré. “Within the lifesaving section, it is individuals serving to individuals, and these governors must get off their f—— a—-, as a result of now they are saying FEMA can deal with it. I feel Mussolini mentioned any f—— cook dinner could be a governor, as a result of proper now, whether or not it is Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, the storm hitting they usually mentioned, ‘The place is FEMA?’ FEMA isn’t a 911 group; they ship turbines. They need FEMA there the following day, nevertheless it does not work that method, bro,” mentioned Honoré.Twenty years later, Honoré feels strongly that one factor hasn’t modified. “There’s lots of people who do not know what the f— they’re doing. Governors, each one in all them in a serious catastrophe is studying on the job,” mentioned Honoré.They’re robust phrases to listen to from Honoré, who smoked his cigar the complete interview. He did go away some constructive parting phrases. “Could I ship good spirits to those that survived Katrina and all those that are nonetheless studying classes after Katrina. God bless America,” mentioned Honoré.Honoré, a navy hero and hard talker again then and even now, is without doubt one of the many unforgettable faces of Hurricane Katrina. The Visionary: The pictures of the Superdome within the days following Hurricane Katrina are gut-wrenching. Some of the iconic buildings within the state, a constructing that appeared invincible, was nearly destroyed.It was an emblem of despair in August 2005.’I am Doug Thornton, and I used to be right here for 5 days throughout Katrina.’Doug Thornton, lead govt with the corporate that runs and manages the Superdome, was there in 2005 and stays the highest man at present.Thornton was the visionary and key architect of the rebuilding of the Superdome.”You spearheaded this, and there are folks that have a look at this and say if they’ll get the dome, ‘I can return dwelling and rebuild my dwelling or my roof.’ ‘I can come again to New Orleans?'” requested WDSU’s Travers Mackel.”It was an emblem of restoration. The entire world noticed what occurred right here,” mentioned Thornton.And what an effort it was, with greater than $200 million in harm.”I used to be right here 20 years in the past, and I keep in mind wanting up and saying, ‘No method the roof is coming off’ … It was proper up right here. Is it nonetheless laborious to imagine that this storm was so sturdy it took the roof off the dome?” requested Mackel.”It is laborious for me to imagine, give it some thought. The roof was wind-rated for 150-mile-per-hour winds,” mentioned Thornton.Nevertheless it was no match for the monster storm in 2005.Metropolis and state emergency preparedness was far completely different as effectively.”So when Katrina hit, there was no plan, no plan to evacuate the town like now we have at present,” mentioned Thornton.That meant that the Superdome, the constructing that opened in 1975 and has performed host to Muhammad Ali fights, Rolling Stones live shows and extra Tremendous Bowls than another stadium in America, would develop into a de facto shelter of final resort.Greater than 30,000 individuals sought refuge from the rain and winds.”In a matter of 48 hours, the choice was made to occupy the constructing as a result of there was no different place to go to maintain individuals from floodwaters, and it saved lives,” mentioned Thornton.However the constructing was by no means meant to be a long-term shelter, which is what it grew to become.Individuals have been secure, however they have been stranded for 5 days after the levees broke, all on the lookout for meals, water and luxury.”We’re not a hospital. We’re not a resort. We’re outfitted to deal with individuals for 4 to 5 days. We’re outfitted to deal with them for 4 to 5 hours every Sunday,” mentioned Thornton.It takes 3,000 individuals to run operations for an NFL recreation. They’d 20 staffers and 300 Nationwide Guard troopers.All of the individuals have been finally rescued.Thornton, the final man out on a navy helicopter, had his personal doubts a couple of rebuild.”I believed as I left right here it might be the final time that I’d be within the dome. I keep in mind weeping the complete flight to Baton Rouge as a result of I believed we had misplaced the dome and we had misplaced the town,” mentioned Thornton.However days later, he was again, and inside weeks, he obtained the go-ahead to do the unattainable.”Did you’ve gotten any pause or doubt, saying, ‘Whoa, we could also be biting off greater than we are able to chew?'” requested Mackel. “In fact I did. I inform this story on a regular basis: There have been three folks that took a blind leap of religion with us,” mentioned Thornton. “The primary was Gov. Blanco, who signed an govt order saying, ‘I’ll can help you proceed with out having any oversight. The LSED has my permission, minimize the pink tape,'” mentioned Thornton.One other was then-NFL Commissioner Paul Taglibue.”And he says to me, ‘It will probably’t be the identical ol’ Saints and the identical outdated Superdome,’ and I am pondering, ‘Did he see what occurred to us right here? Is he loopy?'” mentioned Thornton. “And he says, ‘Now could be your probability to make it a greater constructing.'”The third particular person, Saints proprietor Tom Benson, introduced the group would return in December 2005.”When 40,000 individuals lived in Orleans Parish, he did not know if he was going to have a market to return again to, a lot much less a stadium,” mentioned Thornton.So the work began, and 800 individuals labored across the clock to repair every thing.”Did we all know we have been going to have the ability to end this job? Hell no. Did we imagine it? You wager you,” mentioned Thornton.And after a summer time of no storms and no delays, in September 2006, a undertaking that consultants mentioned would take three years and price $280 million was achieved in 10 months.A rebirth.”It was like driving the Ferrari off the lot and not using a take a look at drive,” mentioned Thornton.And this is a little-known truth: Many suites didn’t have carpet, some seats have been lacking within the higher ranges and a few meals was served off folding tables.However the dome was again.”It is outstanding and provides me nice satisfaction and pleasure we have been in a position to rebuild it,” mentioned Thornton.Thornton is without doubt one of the many faces of Hurricane Katrina.”I feel it was the catalyst, it was out stake within the floor to say New Orleans is coming again,” mentioned Thornton.The Parish President: For so far as your eyes may see, components of Plaquemines Parish appeared like lakes after Hurricane Katrina made landfall in August 2005The devastation was unimaginable.Complete communities have been tragically worn out.’I am Benny Rousselle, and I served as Plaquemines Parish president by means of Hurricane Katrina.’A lifelong Plaquemines Parish resident, Rousselle was thrust into the highlight as the highest elected chief within the suburban New Orleans parish alongside Mississippi River.He was seen in a picture assembly with former President George Bush simply days after the lethal storm.”Do you’re feeling like Plaquemines is forgotten? New Orleans made headlines, 80% of the town went underwater, Jefferson Parish had flooding, however do you assume individuals neglect the extent of the harm right here in Plaquemines Parish?” requested WDSU’s Travers Mackel.”Completely, I do not assume individuals notice that is the place the storm got here ashore,” Rousselle mentioned.Katrina made landfall close to Buras on Aug. 29, 2005.Rousselle was tasked with attempting to get individuals out within the closing hours forward of the storm.”We had such a fantastic group of workers who made the proper group and rode the storm out within the pump stations and water vegetation,” Rousselle mentioned.The now-74-year-old, who’s semiretired, made it a precedence to get individuals to greater floor.He recounted one speak he had with then-New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin when search-and-rescue operations have been in full swing after the storm hit.”After I evacuated Plaquemines Parish, I used college buses, and I talked to Ray about that as a result of I keep in mind seeing the image on the information of all the varsity buses beneath water, and I mentioned, ‘Ray, why did you not put all them individuals in these college buses and take them out as a substitute of placing them within the dome?’ He mentioned, ‘I did not personal the varsity buses.’ And I mentioned, ‘Ray, you possibly can have commandeered these buses, you had a complete police pressure.’ What I needed to do once I ran out of bus drivers, I stepped on the bus and requested who had probably the most household on the bus, and whoever that was, I gave them the keys and advised them to depart,” Rousselle mentioned.”That proper there’s a loopy story, and I do not assume individuals notice how life and dying this case was,” Mackel mentioned.”You have obtained to have the ability to react and make cut up selections, and you may’t fear concerning the penalties, you simply need to hope you are making the suitable selections,” Rousselle mentioned.”And do you assume you made the suitable selections?” requested Mackel.”I do, as a result of I obtained the buses again about three months later,” Rousselle mentioned.However years later, many individuals by no means got here again.Whereas the parish’s total inhabitants is down about 3,000 individuals from 2005, most now reside within the northern finish, Belle Chasse, and the southern a part of the parish, locations like Buras, Port Sulphur, Empire and Boothville-Venice have been destroyed.And 20 years later, the areas should not the identical.”We had nice communities down there, and now they’re struggling tremendously,” Rousselle mentioned.Whereas Rousselle was the parish president when Katrina hit, he solely remained in workplace for a 12 months after the storm. Barred by time period limits from looking for reelection in 2006, he was out by 2007.He had secured billions in funding to observe different parish presidents use it.”I had the chance to scrub up the messy, pump the water out and take away houses and boats from the freeway, however I did not get an opportunity to spend the cash,” Rousselle mentioned.And he questions how the cash was used.Tens of tens of millions have been spent to rebuild the courthouse and jail on the much less populated east financial institution of Plaquemines Parish.And over $15 million in federal funds was used to rebuild Port Eads — a undertaking Rousselle calls a waste.”I’d have taken the cash and put it into Fort Jackson, one thing that the area people can profit from, the group does not profit from Port Eads — you do not have a ship, you’ll be able to’t even get there,” Rousselle mentioned.Rousselle can be crucial of the federal response then and now.”You point out FEMA; how do you fee them? What did FEMA do for Plaquemines Parish within the days, weeks and months after the storm?” requested Mackel.”FEMA was a catastrophe on prime of a catastrophe,” Rousselle mentioned.”I do know there’s a motion in D.C. to put off FEMA — is {that a} good factor or a nasty factor?” requested Mackel.”If President Trump buildings the block grants to go to locals with oversight, I feel it is a good factor,” Rousselle mentioned.Rousselle, former Plaquemines Parish president, is without doubt one of the many faces of Katrina.”How would you like individuals to recollect you?” requested Mackel.”I inform the reality, I am sincere and I do the perfect I can with the assets I’ve,” Rousselle mentioned.