Case Study: New Orleans As A Local Case Study Flashcards
Where is New Orleans located and why is it considered a hazardous setting?
New Orleans lies on the Gulf Coast in the West Atlantic storm belt—an area prone to frequent storms.
What major natural disaster hit New Orleans in August 2005?
Hurricane Katrina.
What category was Hurricane Katrina when it hit Louisiana?
It was a Category 3 hurricane with 140mph winds.
What was the height of the storm surge during Hurricane Katrina?
The storm surge reached 5m high, up to 10m in some places.
When and where did Hurricane Katrina make landfall?
At 6am on August 29, 2005, 70km southeast of New Orleans.
What physical factors made New Orleans vulnerable to flooding?
50% of the land is below sea level due to soil shrinkage and it’s surrounded by levees, creating a ‘bowl effect.’
What social factors increased New Orleans’ vulnerability to Katrina?
High population density, racial segregation, wealth inequality, and poverty.
What economic factors increased the city’s vulnerability?
High poverty rate and inadequate investment in the levee system due to budget constraints.
What political issues contributed to vulnerability?
Low trust in government and a lack of preparedness and emergency planning.
What were the main primary impacts of Hurricane Katrina?
1000+ deaths, 1 million displaced, 80% of the city flooded, 60% of homes damaged, and loss of forest and wildlife habitats.
What were the key secondary impacts?
Rise in oil prices, looting, unemployment, insurance losses, trauma, racial tensions, and a $125 billion financial cost.
Why couldn’t many people evacuate before Katrina hit?
Lack of transport, low trust in government, language barriers, and reluctance to leave uninsured homes.
What infrastructure failures worsened the impact?
Levee collapses and slow response from authorities.
What immediate social responses were implemented after Katrina?
Superdome used as a shelter, looters dealt with by National Guard, storm path was tracked, and evacuation ordered.
What were the immediate economic responses?
$10 billion federal aid and $1.8 billion donated to the Red Cross.
What were the immediate political actions?
FEMA coordinated response; a state of emergency was declared.
What issues affected the effectiveness of immediate responses?
Poor conditions in the Superdome, delayed National Guard deployment, and poor communication of evacuation orders.
What were the long-term social recovery efforts?
10,000 homes leased for displaced families; shelter still provided by other states.
What long-term economic measures were taken?
$800 million for levee repairs, aid for energy bills, and environmental clean-up funding.
What political support was provided?
Congress approved $17 million for rebuilding housing.
What issues were revealed by the long-term response to Katrina?
Worsened inequality, racial divides, slow aid to poor communities, and reliance on federal aid highlighted gaps in disaster planning.
