NEW ORLEANS — Last week's Tropical Storm Cindy caused a disturbing amount of damage, making matters worse as Hurricane Dennis approaches the Gulf Coast.

"Tropical Storm Cindy demonstrated that with advanced coastal erosion in Louisiana, widespread disruptions and impact now result from a strong storm," said Mark Davis, executive director, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana. "Two years ago around New Orleans there was general hesitation regarding evacuation plans. Today the public is anxious as the realization of the inevitable has set in — a direct hit from a strong hurricane will be devastating."

More than 5,000 square miles of wetlands, an area known as America's WETLAND, protect Louisiana by acting as a natural barrier for hurricanes and the storm surges they produce. Since the 1930's, however, Louisiana has lost almost 2,000 square miles of its protective wetlands, with another 500 square miles expected to be lost over the next 50 years.