Heath Jones

Hurricane Katrina pushed Wendell's priorities in a different direction. Places in Mississippi had seen storm surges as high as 28 feet, way higher than any point in his levee system. So while the Army Corps was focused on structural integrity, Wendell's main concern was with elevation. He became sort of obsessed, even developed a personal motto.

Hurricane Katrina pushed Wendell's priorities in a different direction. Places in Mississippi had seen storm surges as high as 28 feet, way higher than any point in his levee system. So while the Army Corps was focused on structural integrity, Wendell's main concern was with elevation. He became sort of obsessed, even developed a personal motto.

Hurricane Katrina pushed Wendell's priorities in a different direction. Places in Mississippi had seen storm surges as high as 28 feet, way higher than any point in his levee system. So while the Army Corps was focused on structural integrity, Wendell's main concern was with elevation. He became sort of obsessed, even developed a personal motto.

And here, Wendell faced a choice. He knew that he could continue his partnership with the Army Corps. The Corps did want their levies built higher as part of their design rehaul.

And here, Wendell faced a choice. He knew that he could continue his partnership with the Army Corps. The Corps did want their levies built higher as part of their design rehaul.

And here, Wendell faced a choice. He knew that he could continue his partnership with the Army Corps. The Corps did want their levies built higher as part of their design rehaul.

For Wendell, going through the Army Corps might ultimately lead to a sturdier levy, but it would be slow and costly. And he knew every year that he wasn't adding height to the levy was leaving his community vulnerable. It could mean the difference between surviving the next major storm or not.

For Wendell, going through the Army Corps might ultimately lead to a sturdier levy, but it would be slow and costly. And he knew every year that he wasn't adding height to the levy was leaving his community vulnerable. It could mean the difference between surviving the next major storm or not.

For Wendell, going through the Army Corps might ultimately lead to a sturdier levy, but it would be slow and costly. And he knew every year that he wasn't adding height to the levy was leaving his community vulnerable. It could mean the difference between surviving the next major storm or not.

Wendell brought the idea before his colleagues at the Levee District. They agreed.

Wendell brought the idea before his colleagues at the Levee District. They agreed.

Wendell brought the idea before his colleagues at the Levee District. They agreed.

So Wendell went on the offensive, courting the local press, giving talks at libraries and town halls and making TV ads, imploring the citizens of South Lafourche to help him protect them. They were facing a potentially biblical flooding event here. Though, he says, the tone of the ads was anything but sensational. It was more PBS documentary than Armageddon.

So Wendell went on the offensive, courting the local press, giving talks at libraries and town halls and making TV ads, imploring the citizens of South Lafourche to help him protect them. They were facing a potentially biblical flooding event here. Though, he says, the tone of the ads was anything but sensational. It was more PBS documentary than Armageddon.

So Wendell went on the offensive, courting the local press, giving talks at libraries and town halls and making TV ads, imploring the citizens of South Lafourche to help him protect them. They were facing a potentially biblical flooding event here. Though, he says, the tone of the ads was anything but sensational. It was more PBS documentary than Armageddon.

Now, Wendell says he and his colleagues did reach out to the Corps to try to get permits for their new levee plan. He knew that there could be big consequences if the Corps didn't approve the project. As part of the federal government, they just had much more legal and financial firepower.

Now, Wendell says he and his colleagues did reach out to the Corps to try to get permits for their new levee plan. He knew that there could be big consequences if the Corps didn't approve the project. As part of the federal government, they just had much more legal and financial firepower.

Now, Wendell says he and his colleagues did reach out to the Corps to try to get permits for their new levee plan. He knew that there could be big consequences if the Corps didn't approve the project. As part of the federal government, they just had much more legal and financial firepower.

But after a couple of years without approval from the Corps, Wendell says he told his engineers to ask for it one more time.

But after a couple of years without approval from the Corps, Wendell says he told his engineers to ask for it one more time.