In coastal Louisiana, hurricane preparedness is about protecting more than buildings. It helps protect people, jobs, businesses, industries, schools, services, and the daily rhythm of life. The Bayou Region plays a critical role in Louisiana’s economy, supporting energy, maritime, seafood, manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, small businesses, and service industries that many families depend on. When a storm threatens our region, preparation helps protect not only physical assets, but also the operations, services, and connections that help businesses and communities recover. Our region operates within a coordinated system of protection, response, and recovery that includes levees, floodgates, drainage and pump systems, emergency operations, utility coordination, local planning, state resources, and business recovery support. Levee systems help reduce storm surge risk with more than 500 miles of levees across the region. These systems help protect communities, homes, businesses, and industry while supporting the ability to live, work, invest, and grow here. CPRA reported that during Hurricane Barry, a storm surge similar to past events that flooded more than 10,000 Terrebonne homes, resulted in only 12 flooded homes with the partially completed Morganza to the Gulf system in place. U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy also pointed to the Morganza to the Gulf’s impact during Hurricane Ida, noting that an estimated 10,000 homes didn’t flood because of existing protection tied to the system. In the Bayou Region, we are prepared.