Vitter calls for White House action on improved levees

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http://www.nola.com/newsflash/louisiana/index.ssf?/base/news-21/1134156564162000.xml&storylist=louisiana

Vitter calls for White House action on improved levees
The Associated Press

KENNER, La. (AP) — A Louisiana senator called Friday for President Bush to follow through on a pledge to make the New Orleans area's levee system solid as a first step to boosting it up to the strength needed to guard against a Category 5 hurricane.

U.S. Sen. David Vitter, a Republican, said real Category 3 protection is needed immediately to avoid a possible repeat of Hurricane Katrina, which hit on Aug. 29. Levee breaks the next day devastated wide areas of the New Orleans region.

Contrary to popular thought, "We did not have true Category 3 protection before Katrina," Vitter said.

During a speech shortly after Katrina in New Orleans' historic Jackson Square, Bush called for solid Category 3 protection that could be boosted in the ensuing years to Category 5 in the most heavily populated areas.