Hurricane Harvey, 5 years after Sandy

Listen 00:48:59
evacuees from Hurricane Harvey

Evacuees wade down a flooded section of Interstate 610 as floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey rise Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017, in Houston. The remnants of Hurricane Harvey sent devastating floods pouring into Houston Sunday as rising water chased thousands of people to rooftops or higher ground. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Guests: James Lee Witt, Matt Arco, Tony Broccoli

Hurricane Harvey has brought floods and devastation to Southeast Texas. The latest major weather event is likely to remind our region of Hurricane Sandy, which hit our shores nearly five years ago. Today on the show, we’re going to discuss the preparedness and imminent recovery in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, and how it compares to that of Sandy and Katrina. We’ll be joined by JAMES LEE WITT, former chief of FEMA who consulted with local governments as Sandy approached. We’ll also talk about how Texas lawmakers voted against federal funds for Sandy relief, but now are asking for similar funds as the big price tag of Hurricane relief looms. MATT ARCO of NJ Advance Media joins us to give us the details. Lastly, we’ll discuss the storm itself – how it formed to become one of the largest storms on record, how it compares to Superstorm Sandy, and if climate change played a part in the storm’s intensity – with TONY BROCCOLI, professor and researcher at Rutgers University’s Department of Environmental Sciences.

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