Hazards case study-HURRICANE KATRINA Flashcards
when and where did hurricane Katrina happen?
August 2005,New Orleans
how did Katrina form?
-Katrina formed from the interaction of a tropical wave and the remnants of a previous tropical depression.
-The depression formed into hurricane Katrina on August 24th when it was located over the Bahamas.
what happened during Katrina?
-a levee broke resulting in the release of excessive amounts of floodwater
-It was estimated that that nearly 80% of the city was completely flooded.
social impacts of Katrina?
-1836 people died
-1 million people evacuated
-9000 people took shelter in the superdome
-180,000 homes were destroyed
economic impacts of Katrina?
-total damage cost was $200billion
-Farmland was ruined by salt water
environmental impacts of Katrina?
-Habitats of pelicans and turtles destroyed
-Toxic chemicals released into the environment from flooded factories
short term responses.
-$50 billion in aid was given by the government.
-The Army’s immediate response to Hurricane Katrina included the gathering of more than 178 canteen feeding units and 11 field kitchens which together have serve more than 5.7 million hot meals, 8.3 million sandwiches, snacks and drinks.
-Manytook shelterin the superdome
-foreign aid and troops offered but not accepted by the USA
state the long term responses.
-Congress provided $16.7billion to rebuild damaged housing and infrastructure
-230 miles of floodwalls and levees were strengthened or replaced to lower the chances of severe flooding
FEMA(US federal emergency management agency) provided more than $3 billion directly to Louisiana victims of Katrina
This is the highest amount ever provided to victims by FEMA for any natural disaster
what were issues/failures of Katrina?
-the superdome was overcrowded and the roof collapsed
-Responses were too slow of a HIC
-government unprepared for Katrina even though it was widely known that such a hurricane was probable, and weather forecasters had accurately predicted the advance of Katrina before landfall.
what were the successes of Katrina?
-The UK Government sent food aid during the early stages of the recovery pass.
-Many people were evacuated
hazard management.
preparation-none
responses-$50 billion aid money, army gathering food aid to serve 5.7 million hot meals ,8.3 million sandwiches, snacks and drinks
Short term mitigation
National weather service issued hurricane warnings and accurately predicted the location time and landfall and evacuation of the most vulnerable was organised
Bush declared a state of emergency 2 days before landfall
Long term mitigation
Flood defences strengthened as the city on average is 2m below sea level
