Politics. On Point.

President Obama praises New Orleans' comeback; says "more to do." "We must honor their memory each day by rebuilding, and improving, the piece of America they called home."  -  President Obama Honor Katrina's victims by continuing to rebuild a stronger community: President Barack Obama By Barack Obama on August 29, 2015 at 6:45 AM President Obama chats with a young girl during his visit in the Treme neighborhood of New Orleans. Credit: White House photo/Pete Souza. On Thursday (Aug. 27), I traveled to New Orleans to mark 10 years since Hurricane Katrina devastated communities across the Gulf Coast and shook America. A visit to the Lower Ninth Ward would have seemed unimaginable in the storm's immediate aftermath, but today the waters have receded — replaced by a region that is moving forward. Over the past 10 years, folks across the Gulf Coast have displayed the spirit of resilience that our country was founded on— building back stronger and...

Trying to clean up after a current one, and remembering another, six years later Six years ago today, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, upending families and ravaging communities – and no one will forget the tragic events of those days.  But what’s required of us is more than remembrance – what’s required of us is our continued efforts to make sure that New Orleans and the Gulf Coast fully recover, and to make sure that our response to such disasters is the best it can possibly be. Katrina video, Trouble The Water, by two victims wins scores of awards.   Over the past several years, we’ve seen what Americans are capable of when tested.  We’ve seen the grit and determination of people on the Gulf Coast coming together to rebuild their communities, brick by brick, block by block.  At the same time, we’ve made sure the federal government is doing its part to help.  We’ve cut through red tape to free up funding for recovery efforts in L...

With the hurricane season among us, FEMA is advising us all to take precaution now and heed any evacuation decisions made by state and local officials. Hurricanes and tropical storms frequently bring flash flooding as well. The National Weather Service forecasts the center of Hurricane Earl to move into the open Atlantic today, and travel east of the Turks and Caicos Islands later today and tonight. Although no watches or warnings are currently in effect for the mainland United States, history has shown that storm tracks can change quickly and unexpectedly. Officials are closely monitoring the areas from the Carolinas to New England, and FEMA is coordinating with the Governors and local officials along the East Coast to aggressively prepare for possible severe weather. Severe weather and flash floods can occur miles inland, and are possible even if a hurricane does not make landfall. FEMA has activated the National Response Coordination Center and its Regional Response Coord...

Administration Officials Participate In Week Long Events President Obama to speak at Louisiana's Xavier University. Photo/CD Brown. The President and First Lady will travel to New Orleans where the President will deliver a speech at Xavier University on the 5th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. The University of Louisiana was hit by the hurricane, covering the entire campus with several feet of water, leaving many to speculate whether the school would rebuild and continue.   Katrina displaced the university's students, staff, and faculty across the nation. After an intense cleanup and reconstruction, the university was able to reopen within 5 months, enrolling  80% of its students. President Obama spoke during the university's 2006 commencement , one year after Katrina. "Remember the pain and neglect that indifference can cause", said president Obama. "How entire neighborhoods in this city were left to drown because no one thought to make sure...

On Sunday, August 29, President Obama will travel to New Orleans, La., to mark the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. The visit will include remarks by the President at Xavier University of Louisiana. Members of the President’s Cabinet who have worked to speed recovery and restoration efforts will also be in the region to mark the anniversary. The First Family traveled to Florida’s Gulf Coast where they are spending this weekend in Panama City Beach, FL.   While there, the President and First Lady were joined by area small business owners and Navy Secretary Ray Mabus for a roundtable discussion of the recovery. The president used the trip to express the gulf's cleanup efforts have been successful. "I also want to point out that as a result of the cleanup effort, beaches all along the Gulf Coast are clean, safe, and open for business. That’s one of the reasons Michelle, Sasha, and I are here. The governor and others invited us down to enjoy the beach and t...