Resilience & Recovery
The Story of Mississippi After Hurricane Katrina
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Mississippi endured tremendous loss. However, from that destruction emerged a spirit of innovation and resilience that transformed the landscape of disaster recovery.
For the first time, Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) programs were designed from the ground up, establishing a model that would shape recovery efforts across the nation. A leader in innovative disaster recovery frameworks and strategies played a pivotal role in Mississippi, setting a new standard for how communities rebuild and emerge stronger. Jon Mabry, now a part of the IEM team, helped guide the framework for current CDBG-DR programs and continues to lead communities through resilient rebuilding.
Join us as we share a powerful video that captures the essence of recovery and resilience in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina. This is a story of hope, rebuilding, and the enduring spirit and strength of communities that turned adversity into opportunity.
Learn More About Jon Mabry
His leadership and innovative ideas shaped Mississippi’s Katrina recovery and the future of CDBG-DR. Learn More
“Katrina taught us that true recovery is not just about rebuilding what was lost. It is building back better and more resilient. The CDBG-DR program has evolved to emphasize recovery as well as resilience, helping communities prepare for future challenges while addressing present needs.”
Pam Patenaude, Former Deputy Secretary, HUD
In 2020, Governor Barbour wrote a letter of recommendation about Jon Mabry and his work for Mississippi –
“When I was the Governor of Mississippi, in 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated our Gulf Coast communities. To undertake the massive recovery efforts, I hand-picked a dedicated recovery team comprised of public and private sector professionals to oversee what has become a model recovery effort. Jon Mabry led that team.
Jon and the Mississippi Development Authority Disaster Recovery Division (DRD) designed and implemented more than $5 billion in CDBG-DR recovery projects to restore housing, infrastructure and economic development. And unlike other Katrina recovery programs, Mississippi had no issues with delays, fraud or improperly managed or dispersed funds. Under his direction, more than 40,000 homes were repaired and nearly 300 community revitalization and infrastructure projects were completed.
Jon’s vision and leadership as well as his relationships with state, local and federal officials and the private sector was extremely helpful, and I believe that he and his team at IEM would apply the lessons from Mississippi as well as their other programs to your jurisdiction. Jon and his team would be a great partner to overcome any obstacles and barriers that you may face in a daunting disaster recovery. I recommend Jon and IEM as an innovative partner who will bring excellent customer service and a proven outcome-based, survivor-centric approach.”
Haley Barbour, former Governor of Mississippi
“Through Jon’s leadership, we were able to get HUD and CDBG to say yes to the projects that we wanted for our community.”
Tish Williams, Executive Director of Hancock Chamber