CASE STUDY - Tropical storm hazard: Hurricane Katrina Flashcards

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1
Q

Describe the location of the storm.

A
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2
Q

Describe the tropical storm hazards of Hurricane Katrina.

A
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3
Q

What made New Orleans physically vulnerable to tropical storms?

A
  • Relies on a 560km levee system built to withstand a category 3.
  • The Mississippi gulf outlet acted as a funnel for the storm surge, increasing its height by 20% and doubled in size.
  • Over 50% of the land is now below sea level
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4
Q

What made New Orleans vulnerable to tropical storms in terms of human factors?

A
  • Relies on a 560km levee system built to withstand a category 3.
  • 35% of black households in the area do not have a car.
  • 28% of people in New Orleans live in poverty.
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5
Q

How prepared were the people of New Orleans?

A
  • Evacuation plan drawn up by the state authorities only 19 hours before Katrina’s landfall.
  • Repair work from previous earthquake only 60-90% completed.
  • People in poorer regions forced to stay with public transport failing to meet demands.
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6
Q

What were the social impacts of Hurricane Katrina?

A
  • Over 1 million people became refugees who were registered in all 50 states
  • 110,000 houses flooded and 55,000 badly damaged
  • 5m people were left without power and it took almost 2 months for people to be reconnected.
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7
Q

What were the environmental impacts of Hurricane Katrina?

A
  • 80% of New Orleans was flooded.
  • Saltwater intrusions contaminate fresh water sources.
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8
Q

What were the political impacts of Hurricane Katrina?

A
  • Superdome evacuation centre not prepared with enough food and water for 23,000 people.
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9
Q

What are the short term responses of Hurricane Katrina?

A
  • 80% of New Orleans was evacuated.
  • $51.8 billion allocated from the Federal Funds.
  • Over 4200 Red Cross staff and volunteers aided in helping affected areas.
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10
Q

What are the long term responses of Hurricane Katrina?

A
  • Raised the levees and floodwalls to withstand a category 5 storm
  • Land zoning to clear neighbourhoods and create parks in low lying areas.
  • Slow response from FEMA
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