Hurricane Katrina Flashcards
General Facts
Category 5 Coastline of Gulf of Mexico 23-31st August 2005 1838 deaths (mostly from drowing in 8.5m storm surge) $150bn cost of damage Max. wind speed - 280km/hr
Economic Primary Effects
$10.5bn in 2006
Port of New Orleans shut
Oil production in Gulf of Mexico affected
Significant damage to forests + forest industry
Economic Secondary Effects
$150bn by 2015
Loss of trade from Port
Price rise in oil
10% of people (in Mississippi) involved in forestry
- can't work
- loss in revenue
- economy of region suffersSocial Primary Effects
1838 deaths
80% evacuated
Many of remaining 20% took shelter in the Superdome
Those remaining in the city risked their lives
Destruction of many buildings also left many homeless
Electrical, water and gas utilities damaged/destroyed
Social Secondary Effects
Salt water contaminated water supply - people had to rely on bottled water Some had no electricity for weeks 50,000 damaged/destroyed properties - mostly houses of the poor - many moved elsewhere People left with stress and depression Looting food + water - authorities had other priorities - national guard slow to come in
Environmental Primary Effects
Coastal area severley damaged by storm surge
Water contaminated with salt
- habitats relying on fresh water were damaged
Oil rigs damage caused oil spills
- takes effort and time to clean beaches and animals
Environmental Secondary Effects
Habitats relying on fresh water were ruined
Oil spills meant dirty beaches + contaminated water
Beaches and nature reserves destroyed/ruined
Oil kills plants+animals
Immediate Response
Category 5 not expected
- slow alerts
- 80% evacuated
$50bn came in aid from government
National guard slow coming in
Aid : food, water, medication, tentsLong-term Response
Port, industries, downtown areas rebuilt Flood walls + leveés replaced 50,000 houses rebuilt Restoring communications + utilities Build 'greener' to minimise future loss
