A False Sense of Security

August 30, 2023

Here are a few trivia facts for you. I spent my working career as an engineer. For quite a few of those years, I practiced in the field of stormwater and flood control engineering. For more than a few years, I participated in the National Association of Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies (NAFSMA). I retired from the engineering world shortly after having served as president of that organization.

The tagline on the NAFSMA website reads, “With expert advocacy and innovation, NAFSMA helps members protect people, property, economic activity, and the environment from adverse storm and flood water impacts.”

While in New Orleans for a NAFSMA Board of Directors meeting, we had the opportunity to tour the Lower Ninth Ward area. This is the area that received a great amount of flooding and damage during Hurricane Katrina. Here are a few words from the inscription on the Historic Lower Ninth Ward/Industrial Canal Flood Wall Marker.

“On August 29, 2005, at about 7:45 a.m., the Industrial Canal flood wall broke with an explosive sound, heard by many residents near North Johnson Street and Jourdan Avenue. At that time, the Lower Ninth Ward was home to some 3400 families, over 50% homeowners. Isolated by man-made structures and water, this proud neighborhood had long been a place where people of color could thrive economically by transferring home ownership from one generation to the next. Over the next decade many struggled to rebuild often with the help of volunteers.”

On the other side of the marker are the following words.

“The breach of the Industrial Canal and others during Hurricane Katrina created a pivotal moment in American history when flood walls designed and built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers failed. The flooding from the breach here killed hundreds, destroyed homes, toppled trees and forever altered the fabric of the historic Lower Ninth Ward. The disaster forced the Army Corps to issue new guidelines in levee building, which improved safety for residents all across the country.”[1]

If you’ve read some of my other posts, you know this post is not that much about flood safety. It is about life and our relationship with the Father.

If you review this week’s photo, you will see something that you may not have noticed when you first looked at it. In the back right corner is a wall. This is a new flood wall built to the U.S. Corps of Engineers new standards. But there is something worth noting about flood walls. Yes, they are necessary to protect people, property, economic activity, and the environment. However, as experienced in Hurricane Katrina, they are not foolproof.

Here is language from the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) “Homeowner’s Guide to Retrofitting.”

“Levees and floodwalls may give the homeowner a false sense of security. Every flood is different and one that exceeds the height of the barrier could occur at any time. If water overtops the barrier, the protected area will fill rapidly. Homeowners should evacuate when a flood warning is first issued.”[2]

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It is clear when living on the dry side of a flood wall that you probably should not put all your trust in the wall.

King David often prayed before going into battle. Just as we need to pray when waking on a new day and head out into the battle of life. Notice the words he uses when declaring his faith in God.

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” (Psalm 20:7, NIV)

He knew that his enemies placed all their faith in themselves, their horses, chariots, and sometimes false gods. David placed his trust in the name of the Lord his God. I encourage us today to not rely on things other than God for our help. A job, relationship, position, or possession may give us a false sense of security. Only God is able to meet our every need.

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[1] https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=102875

[2] https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-08/FEMA_P-312.pdf