hurricane katrina 2005 Flashcards
what year did the hurricane happen
2005
location of the hurricane
USA – Gulf Coast, mainly New Orleans, Louisiana
category
Category 5 (in the Gulf), Category 3 at landfall
how high were wind speeds
Up to 280 km/h (175 mph)
how bad was storm surge
Up to 8.5 metres in some areas
how many deaths occured
1800
how many were left displaced
over 1 million
what was the cost of damage
Up to $145 billion (most expensive U.S. disaster ever at the time)
secondary effects
Contaminated water led to health risks, including cholera and other water-borne diseases.
Infrastructure collapse: power outages, road closures, gas leaks.
Widespread looting and civil unrest due to food, water, and safety shortages.
Jobs lost, especially in tourism, oil and gas, and transport sectors.
Environmental damage to wetlands and pollution from oil spills.
short term responses
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) led response but was heavily criticised.
U.S. Coast Guard and National Guard conducted search and rescue.
Evacuation orders were issued (too late for many).
Food, water, and shelter provided, but there were delays in reaching vulnerable people.
Over 70 countries offered aid — including Canada, UK, and Mexico.
long term responses
Levees were rebuilt and reinforced at a cost of over $14 billion.
New flood walls and pumps were constructed.
Improvements in FEMA staff training and coordination with local government.
Evacuation plans updated, including transport for those without cars.
Partnerships with private companies to improve communication systems.
“Road Home” programme offered funding for rebuilding homes.
failures and criticism
Failures & Criticism
Local officials (e.g. Mayor Ray Nagin) failed to implement flood plans or use buses to evacuate.
FEMA was slow to act, poorly coordinated, and understaffed.
Emergency services were overwhelmed, and communication systems collapsed.
The Superdome was overcrowded and underprepared.
Poor communities, especially African-American residents, were disproportionately affected.
success
60,000+ people were rescued by emergency services.
Levees and flood defences were significantly improved.
Hurricane warning systems were refined.
Community preparedness increased in later years.
What was the Superdome used for during Hurricane Katrina?
It was a “refuge of last resort” shelter in New Orleans.
How many people sheltered in the Superdome during Katrina?
: Over 26,000 people.
Why was the Superdome overcrowded?
Far more people arrived than expected, overwhelming supplies and space.
Q: What were the conditions like inside the Superdome?
Unsanitary, overcrowded, with no air conditioning, overflowing toilets, and little food or water
What does the Superdome case show about emergency planning?
It shows poor coordination and a failure to protect vulnerable people, despite prior warnings.
Why was the Superdome response criticised?
It was poorly stocked, understaffed, and not prepared for such a large-scale emergency.
what was the superdomes typical capacity
1000
model answer
“Although the Superdome’s stadium capacity was over 70,000, its emergency shelter capacity was only around 1,000 — yet over 26,000 people were crammed in during Hurricane Katrina, leading to major humanitarian failures.”
