He Stayed Through the Storm; Now He’s Helping LSU Prepare for the Next One

Twenty years ago, as Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, firefighters like Michael Antoine remained on the front lines—rescuing families from rooftops, delivering aid, and navigating unimaginable destruction. 

Today, Antoine serves as LSU’s associate vice president for Campus Safety, Emergency Preparedness & Emergency Response, channeling the lessons of Katrina into research-driven resilience and preparedness.  

Antoine, a New Orleans native, talked about the critical role he played during Katrina in 2005 and the important role he holds today in keeping LSU safe:  

What role did you play during and in the days following Hurricane Katrina?

During Hurricane Katrina, I served on the front lines as a Firefighter/EMT with the New Orleans Fire Department. I was part of the first response teams providing critical firefighting services, conducting search and rescue operations, and delivering humanitarian aid before, during, and long after the storm passed.

I remained in the city throughout the crisis, operating under incredibly challenging and dangerous conditions. Our team worked around the clock, often without rest, to save lives and restore some measure of safety and stability in the midst of overwhelming devastation.

What moments during that time still sit with you, and how have they shaped the way you approach emergency preparedness today?

There are moments from Katrina that will stay with me forever—the look in people’s eyes when we pulled them from flooded homes, the overwhelming silence of neighborhoods under water, and the deep sense of abandonment many felt. One that haunts me is seeing families trapped for days on rooftops, waiting for rescue.

Those experiences instilled in me a lasting commitment to preparedness, planning, and equity. It shaped my belief that emergency management isn’t just about plans and logistics—it’s about people. It taught me that we must never be reactive; we must anticipate vulnerabilities and build systems that serve everyone, especially our most marginalized communities.

How does it feel to be part of an institution like LSU that not only played a vital role in Katrina’s response, but continues to lead in research and planning that could save lives in future disasters?

It’s an incredible honor to serve at LSU, an institution that has long stood at the forefront of disaster response, research, and innovation. LSU was a safe haven and a coordination hub during Katrina, and that legacy continues in the work we do every day—from training future emergency managers to building systems that increase campus and statewide resilience. As Associate Vice President for Campus Safety, I see firsthand how LSU’s research, preparedness programs, and public service missions contribute directly to saving lives. Being part of that legacy—while helping shape its future—is deeply meaningful to me.

What gives you hope today, 20 years later, for building a more resilient Louisiana? 

“ By looking back, we acknowledge hard truths and ensure they’re never forgotten. By looking forward, we commit to doing better. ”

What gives me hope is the growing recognition that resilience isn’t just about infrastructure—it’s about people. We’re seeing more diverse voices in emergency management, greater investment in community engagement, and a stronger commitment to inclusive planning. Programs that center historically underserved populations, innovations in disaster technology, and institutions like LSU that bridge science and service give me confidence that we’re moving in the right direction. We’ve come a long way since 2005, and though there’s more work to do, the collective will to build a more just, prepared, and resilient Louisiana is stronger than ever.

Why should we commemorate this anniversary, both by looking back and looking to the future

We commemorate this anniversary not only to honor the lives lost and the communities forever changed but also to reflect on how far we’ve come and the work that remains. Katrina exposed systemic failures—but it also revealed extraordinary courage, community, and resilience.

By looking back, we acknowledge hard truths and ensure they’re never forgotten. By looking forward, we commit to doing better: to building systems that protect everyone, to fostering leadership that reflects our communities, and to preparing the next generation to meet future challenges head-on. Commemoration is not just remembrance—it’s a call to action. 

Turning Tragedy into Impact

Explore LSU’s role in response, recovery, resilience, and research following Hurricane Katrina.

Katrina 20th Anniversary Coverage