Hurricane Katrina

Question 1

When

Answer 1

August 2005

Question 2

Where

Answer 2

Formed over Bahamas
Moved NW, strengthened towards Gulf of Mexico
Rainfall over Louisiana
Storm surge in Mississippi

Question 3

Disaster

Answer 3

200km/h high winds
200-250 mm rainfall
8.5m high storm surge in Mississippi
80% city of New Orleans flooded

Question 4

Economic Impacts

Answer 4

230,000 jobs
Industry disruption
- Oil: 30 oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico damaged /destroyed
- Shipping: Gulfport in Mississippi
$5 bill lost logging income due to forest damage in Mississippi
Total cost: $100 billion

Question 5

Social Impacts

Answer 5

1800 killed
300,000 homes
Thousands displaced
3 million lost electricity
1-10 bridge collapse lead to main route closure in New Orleans
5 people died due to water supply pollution
80 schools destroyed/damaged in New Orleans - education disruption

Question 6

Environmental Impact

Answer 6

Coastal habitat damage - sea turtle breeding beaches, salt marshes
Coastal conservation damage - Breton National Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana
Oil spills in Louisiana due to refineries damaged by floods

Question 7

Mit/Preparation

Answer 7

Sophisticated monitoring system prediction

National Hurricane Centre in Florida issued warnings for Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama

Question 8

Preparation: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Answer 8

US Coast Guard positioned helicopters and boats
Organised teams and supplies e.g mortuary teams
Mandatory (compulsory) evacuated ~80% of New Orleans pre event

Question 9

Response/Relief

Answer 9

Louisiana Superdrome sheltered 26,000
50,000 rescued
$4 billion donation to provide victims aid

Question 10

Mitigation post Katrina

Answer 10

US Army Corps of Engineer: $14.5 billion project

• West Closure Complex: $1.1 billion pump
• levees improvement - for category 5
• 350 miles hurricane border
• advanced computer modelling and monitoring