In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Governor’s Office in the State of Louisiana retained Witt Associates to advise the State on overall response and recovery efforts. Within 48 hours of the storm’s landfall, and before a contract had been formally signed, James Lee Witt led a response team into Baton Rouge. The impact was felt immediately. Witt Associates established a functional joint operations center within 24 hours and provided essential state and local personnel with the tools needed to communicate effectively statewide.

Witt Associates continues to advise the governor, his cabinet, and other leaders on all matters concerning recovery, as well as provide assistance in the development of policies and coordination with public and private recovery entities.

In addition to its advisory role, Witt Associates performs a number of other functions as a part of the medium to long-term recovery effort. Initially, Witt Associates reformed the State’s emergency management structure, bringing it in line with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA’s) emergency support functions. Witt Associates’ staff played key roles in the design and implementation of the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA), the organization responsible for coordinating overall recovery efforts, establishing rebuilding priorities, receiving and distributing appropriated relief funds, and providing a single voice for the State on recovery issues. Witt Associates has also served as the senior emergency management advisor for the LRA Board of Directors and as liaisons between the State and the parishes and parish presidents affected by Katrina.

Programmatically, Witt Associates provided significant support in the development and delivery of disaster relief programs to the affected areas. Since, Witt Associates has established and implemented the state’s Public Assistance program to maximize funding availability for Louisiana projects.

In April, 2006, Witt Associates’ contract with the State of Louisiana was expanded to include the establishment and management of the State’s nearly $2 billion Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. At the peak of the recovery effort, Witt Associates employed nearly 200 professionals throughout Louisiana. Some notable roles undertaken by Witt Associates include:

• Establishing a joint operations center
• Implementing the Incident Command Structure and Command Center
• Developing a housing plan
• Debris monitoring and debris management planning
• Working with university leaders throughout the State on higher education needs
• Providing extensive assistance and guidance regarding the Federal Public Assistance Program damage estimations, documentation and submission of project worksheets
• Establishment of program procedures, guidance, and standards for the state’s Hazard Mitigation program, along with associated training for State staff and program applicants
• Development of “global match” coastal restoration applications to provide cost-share match for the HMGP program
• Obtaining Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) certification for the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness

To bring about a more planned and coordinated recovery in southern Louisiana, Witt Associates organized and led the State’s long-term community recovery planning effort in 26 parishes (over 1/3 of the state), and developed and implemented regional and statewide planning activities designed to address issues that cross jurisdictional boundaries.