A retired general recalls Hurricane Katrina’s chaos and lessons still unlearned

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(Justin Sullivan | Getty Images)It was the costliest hurricane in U.S. history: Have we forgotten Katrina’s lessons? Nearly 1,400 people died after Hurricane Katrina crashed into Louisiana and Mississippi. Army Lieutenant General Russel Honoré became a household name in 2005 when he led recovery efforts as commander of Joint Task Force Katrina. “It broke my heart when I saw a lady with a toddler and a shopping basket pushing the baby in the water,” Honoré said in an interview with NPR’s Michel Martin. And the elderly people said I’m not leaving if I can’t take my dog with me.”Since Hurricane Katrina, federal law has changed to include shelter for pets.