cover of episode Not Built For This #4: Unbuilding the Terrace

Not Built For This #4: Unbuilding the Terrace

2024/8/30
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99% Invisible

Chapters

Lake Charles, Louisiana, particularly Greenwich Terrace, has been repeatedly hit by severe storms and floods. The city's location amidst petrochemical plants highlights the connection between fossil fuels and climate change, while the neighborhood's vulnerability raises questions about infrastructure and resilience.
  • Lake Charles is heavily influenced by the petrochemical industry.
  • The city's location and infrastructure make it susceptible to flooding.
  • Greenwich Terrace, a predominantly Black neighborhood, has been particularly impacted by repeated floods.

Shownotes Transcript

All across the country thousands of people are living in locations that regularly flood, and many of these places will only get more flood-prone as the climate continues to change. Residents who live in these danger zones are often trapped in a demoralizing loop—flooding, rebuilding, and praying each time that the pattern doesn’t repeat. However in some neighborhoods the government is trying a different approach. They’re buying out flood-prone homes and helping residents relocate to higher ground. But what’s it like for residents to fight like hell for help, and the only help on offer means leaving the place they love?

Not Built For This) is a 6-part mini-series from 99% Invisible, with new episodes on Tuesdays and Fridays in the 99% Invisible feed. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

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