Nation Fifteen years and $15 billion since Katrina, New Orleans is more prepared for a major hurricane. For now. August 24, 2020 Rick Jervis, USA TODAY Comments Off on Fifteen years and $15 billion since Katrina, New Orleans is more prepared for a major hurricane. For now. A $15 billion hurricane protection system guards New Orleans against flooding. Experts say it must be upgraded due to climate change and land loss.