the big easy 新奥尔良市的别名，大致意思是“无忧无虑”或者叫做“自由城”
文中原句：In New Orleans, are they storm-ready or sitting ducks? A year after Katrina, questions over whether the big easy is ready for the next big one.
plywood n.夹板, 合板
文中原句：Mike Lane picks out plywood he might use to cover his windows and protect his home.
churn v.搅拌, 搅动
文中原句：But with another storm churning in the Caribbean -- they know what they will do if a hurricane threatens New Orleans.
holistic adj.整体的, 全盘的
文中原句：but in fact..is from a holistic perspective...Is actually a better system that what we had in a place a year ago today.
bolster n.垫子 v.支持
文中原句：But there's no way to test the bolstered levees.
recourse n.求援, 求助
文中原句：there is only one recourse if a major storm bears down on the city.
distraught adj.发狂的
文中原句：The damage, formidable - over 25 cars destroyed in the blast, the building partly collapsed - civilians, obviously distraught.