Case Study - Hurricane Katrina Flashcards
When did Hurricane Katrina hit?
29th August 2005
What Category was the Hurricane when it hit New Orleans
Category 5
Give two reasons why New Orleans is vulnerable?
- It is in an area that can expect tropical storms at certain times of the year (has been 33 hurricanes since 1924)
- Its original flood control measures had resulted in the shrinking of soils causing over 50% of the land to become below sea level
How many people died as a result of Hurricane Katrina?
1,836 people
What is the total economic cost of the hurricane?
$300 Billion
What was the primary impact of Hurricane Katrina on the population of New Orleans?
Mass displacement, with over a million people forced to evacuate
How did Hurricane Katrina affect emergency services and healthcare?
Hospitals were overwhelmed or closed, emergency response was delayed and many people were left without medical care
How did Hurricane Katrina impact businesses in the affected areas?
Thousands of businesses were destroyed or forced to close, leading to massive job losses and economic disruption
What was the effect of Hurricane Katrina on the oil and gas industry?
Major oil refineries and offshoring drilling rigs were damaged, causing a spike in fuel prices across the US
How did the hurricane affect tourism in New Orleans?
Tourism, a key industry in New Orleans, suffered severely due to damaged infrastructure, lost attractions and a decline in visitor number
How did Hurricane Katrina affect crime rates in New Orleans?
Crime rates increased in the aftermath due to law enforcement breakdowns, looting, and social unrest in affected areas
What impact did Hurricane Katrina have on education in the region?
Many schools were destroyed or closed, leading to long-term disruptions in education and forcing students to relocate to different states.
How did Hurricane Katrina affect social inequality in New Orleans?
The disaster exposed and worsened racial and economic inequalities, as poorer and minority communities were disproportionately affected by slow recovery efforts
What was the long-term impact of displacement on communities affected by Hurricane Katrina
Many displaced residents struggled to rebuild their lives, leading to fractured communities and difficulties in re-establishing social networks
What was the long-term effect of Hurricane Katrina on property values in New Orleans?
Property values declined in heavily damaged areas, while less affected areas saw increases due to higher demand for housing
How did the hurricane affect government spending and debt?
The U.S government had to spend billions on disaster relief, reconstruction, and infrastructure repairs, increasing federal and state debt
What was the long term impact of Hurricane Katrina on insurance costs?
Insurance premiums rose significantly, making it more expensive and difficult for residents and businesses to get coverage in high-risk areas
What is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP)?
A collaboration between government and private sector organisations to fund and manage public projects and services
What was the main aim of the PPP in New Orleans before Hurricane Katrina?
To improve infrastructure, economic development, and disaster preparedness by involving private investment and expertise
How did the PPP contribute to flood protection in New Orleans before Hurricane Katrina?
It helped fund and manage levee improvements, through many projects were underfunded or incomplete when the hurricane struck
Why was the PPP criticised after Hurricane Katrina?
Many argued that private sector involvement led to cost-cutting, delays and a failure to properly maintain flood defences, worsening the disaster’s impact
How did the PPP’s impact emergency response planning before Hurricane Katrina?
Some partnerships focused on disaster preparedness, but coordination between private companies and government agencies was criticised as ineffective
What emergency response agency was criticised for its handling of Hurricane Katrina?
FEMA was criticised for its slow and ineffective response
