September 9th 2023.
Meagan Williams was only a teen when Hurricane Katrina came crashing into her life in 2005. The experience had a deep and lasting impact on her.
She remembers the damage done to her aunt’s house vividly. Every single window was blown out and the water line was just below the ceiling. It was a scene of destruction and despair.
But that’s when Williams realized she wanted to help. She pursued her desire and became a civil engineer, and today she works as the urban water program manager for New Orleans’ Office of Resilience and Sustainability. Her job involves designing and implementing strategies to manage excess water in the city, such as green infrastructure, which uses plants to reduce flood risks and improve air, earth, and water quality.
As climate change brings more severe rain storms to the city, Williams is more determined than ever to prevent dangerous flooding. This year in particular has seen an increase in such storms. “It’s like somebody just poured a bucket from the sky on top of us all at one time,” Williams said. She stands firm in her commitment to protect the people of New Orleans from the dangers of flooding.
Thanks to the $14.5 billion levee system that was built after Katrina, New Orleans has been spared from major flood damage. Still, Williams is dedicated to making sure that the city remains safe and resilient in the face of climate change. With her hard work and dedication, she is helping to ensure that the city of New Orleans can weather any storm.
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