NEW ORLEANS - Officials say many lessons have been learned since the Katrina disaster and they are taking a more proactive approach as they prepare for Hurricane Gustav.
However, this will be the first time these changes will be put to the test.
Nickie McAcy lives just 100-yards away from the New Orleans levee and has made the decision to stay put.
"I'm ten feet above the ground. Hopefully the house won't flood or lose cars, but I do have a boat," McAcy explained.
When the levees that protect McAcy's neighborhood failed during Hurricane Katrina, the homes were submerged in nine feet of water. Today, many of the residents say they are confident their newly rebuilt and improved systems will hold. Yet, federal officials are less confident.
After inspecting new floodgates this week, homeland security secretary Michael Chertoff admitted there are still weaknesses in the levee system.
"There is still risk, however considering the levee system did not exist before, it is better than ever," said Chertoff.
However, there is no guarantee that the levee system will work, which is why tens of thousands of residents, like Lachia Rodriguez and her children, are getting out.
"I don't trust the levees really," Rodriguez exclaimed.
Three years ago, former FEMA Chief Michael Brown lost his job over the federal response to Katrina.
However, with Gustav, whether the levees hold or not, it is clear government help is coordinated and more timely than in 2005.
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