In this episode of the Planet Money podcast, we hear about Wendell Curole, a levee district manager in Southern Louisiana, who took a bold stand against the Army Corps of Engineers. He decided to raise levees higher and faster than federal guidelines permitted, driven by the urgent threat of rising sea levels and stronger hurricanes. Curole prioritized the safety of his community, even at the risk of losing federal funding and facing legal challenges. His decision proved crucial during Hurricane Ida, as it helped save lives and protect property. This story underscores the tension between top-down risk assessments and the real-world challenges faced by those living in disaster-prone areas.
