case study - Hurricane Katrina Flashcards

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1
Q

background information, Katrina

A
  • august 2005
  • Atlantic Ocean
  • category 5
  • wind speeds 280km/h
  • hit Louisiana and Mississippi as category 4
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2
Q

primary impacts of Katrina

A

Social
- 1m+ became refugees, displaced from homes
- 1836 deaths
- 80% of New Orleans was flooded, below sea level
- 5m left without power

Env
- over 1m acres forest destroyed by flooding

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3
Q

secondary impacts of Katrina

A

Social
- looting

Economic
- fuel and oil prices shot up due to damage
- many businesses affected but had insurance
- $125b damage costs (200Β£)

Political
- government criticised as they were slow to respond

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4
Q

short term responses to Katrina

A
  • $1.8b in public donations, helped to set up shelters
  • management and aid sent from within the USA
  • warnings given allowed for evacuation 2 days before, state of emergency declared
  • international aid from India, hygiene kits and supplies
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5
Q

long term responses to Katrina

A
  • many states involved in providing shelters
  • $800m spent on rebuilding flood defences, strengthening and replacing them
  • congress provided $17b to rebuild damaged housing and infrastructure
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6
Q

why was New Orleans vulnerable?

A

human
- lack of preparation, plan made 19 hours before
- flood defences and levees outdated, repairs only 60% complete
- 150,000 didn’t evacuate

physical
- gulf coast of USA vulnerable to tropical storms
- 50% city below sea level

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