MEDC Hurricane Katrina - H Flashcards
Where was the hurricane
South east USA
When was the hurricane
2005
What was the category of storm when it hit Mississippi
Category 5 - 285 km/h
How much rainfall
250mm
What caused 80% of New Orleans to be flooded
Storm Surges of up to 8.5 in Mississippi
How many died
1836
How many houses destroyed
300,000
How many left homeless
60,000
How many without electricity
3 million
How many died from polluted water sources
5
How many schools in New Orleans destroyed
18
How many schools damaged, affecting education
74
How big was the economic impact
Huge
How many jobs lost from damaged business
23,000
How many oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico were destroyed/damaged
30
What affected the shipping industry in Mississippi
Ports were damaged
What was the loss in the logging industry becsuse of destroyed forest
$5 billion
What was the total economic cost
Over $100 billion
What were the environmental impacts of the hurricane
Coastal habitats destroyed - sea turtle breeding population.
Coastal conservation area destroyed e.g Breton National Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana.
Oil spills from oil refineries in Louisiana.
Salt marshes flooded - habitat loss.
What is the USA classed as
One of the wealthiest places in the world
How did the government try to prepare
The National Hurricane Centre Identified and tracked the Hurricane using sophisticated monitoring systems (satellite and radar). The NHC updated the government with where and when it was likely to hit
What were the mass evacuations like
1000 people busses out of New Orleans every hour.
How many people in New Orleans were evacuated before landfall
80%
What we’re established for those who didn’t evacuate
Emergency shelters
How many were sheltered in the Louisiana Superdome
26,000
How did the US coast guard respond
Positioned helicopters and boats around the most affected areas
How many people were rescued by emergency services once the storm hit
50,000
What was the international aid received
$85 billion from FEMA (Federal Emergency Managment Agency) a branch of the US government. FEMA also organised teams to support on the ground.
How much was collected by charities to provide short term aid
$4 billion
Who set about draining New Orleans immediately
US corps.
