Tangipahoa Parish--Priority Issues

It is estimated that the population of Tangipahoa grew 26% immediately after Katrina and has currently stabilized at a 16% increase with approximately 124,411 people. These increases ranked Tangipahoa Parish in the top five counties/parishes impacted by Hurricane Katrina.  

Economic and Workforce Development

Lack of trained workforce to accommodate current population growth and business growth.

• Insufficient business diversity and business development.
• Lack of recovery efforts to help dairy and forestry industries.
• Loss of tourism business due to influx of evacuees.
• Inadequate local airport infrastructure to support economic growth and to service area during disasters.

Environmental Management and Coastal Restoration

• Lack of mitigation measures to restore, repair and protect wetlands.

Human Services

• Limited multi-use facilities and disaster shelters for the handicapped.
• Lack of human services programs to accommodate new population.
• Lack of public education in the areas of health, safety and human services.

Public Health & Healthcare

• Lack of electronic health information which contributes to delay in health care services.
• Inadequate coroner facilities to service increased population.
• Lack of Parish-wide identification system of emergency personnel which delays response during an emergency.

Public Safety

• Lack of adequate public safety personnel to service new population.
• Lack of parish-wide interoperable communication system.

Transportation and Infrastructure

• Inadequate public utility infrastructure to accommodate new population and economic development. Systems also lack adequate back-up power supplies to support services during disasters (long-term power outages).
• Significant increase in traffic congestion on parish roadways.
• Lack of public transportation to support new population demands.
• Need to repair infrastructure damaged by storm which is causing increased pollution.
• East/West railroad crossings impeding public safety responses to emergencies. Because of lack of alternate routes.

Housing and Community Development

• Insufficient affordable housing to accommodate new population and economic development.
• Lack of comprehensive planning at Parish and municipal levels.
• Increased strain on community facilities due to increased population concentrated in southern part of Parish.
• Lack of planning to mitigate future losses due to flooding.