Storm hazards: Case study HIC - Hurricane Katrina, USA, 2005 Flashcards
Describe the spatial and temporal setting of the event.
Tropical depression (23/08/2005) in Caribbean seaTropical storm (28/08/2005)- makes landfall in Southern Florida (Aventura)Crosses Gulf of Mexico (Cat 1 > 5); landfall 29/08/2005 Cat 4 Buras Triumph Louisiana > New OrleansLandfall Cat 3 Louisiana/Mississippi border then inland north (downgrading until tropical depression at eastern Great Lakes 31/08/2005)
Magnitude of the event
Cat 4 when it hit New Orleans
Cause of the event
28C average temperatures surrounding Bahamas in Caribbean Sea
Why were people in New Orleans vulnerable?
Gulf coast of USA (severe tropical storms)Flood control methods in need of maintenance Shrinkage of soils due to original flood control measures > 50% of city below sea levelLack of emergency plan - evacuation plan only 19hours beforeInequality - low income community
Who was most vulnerable in New Orleans? Why?
Low income and minority communities: Lacked means of transport to evacuateLived close to levees and substandard infrastructure was more vulnerable to stormsLess able to economically recover - often lacked insurance (private insurance claims only covered $30 bn of $200 bn damage)
How did levels of vulnerability and people’s perception differ along the track of the Hurricane?
More fatalistic attitude in certain areas vs adaptation.
Primary events of Hurricane Katrina
11, 000 homes flooded/55, 000 beyond repair1 million refugees (displaced across all 50 states)Power and water supplies disrupted - 5 million without power (2 months to repair)1242 deaths (mainly during storm)Oil installations in the Gulf
Secondary impacts of Hurricane Katrina
Financial cost of $200 billionMajor insurers provide profit warnings to shareholdersNeighbouring states struggle to cope with refugees230, 000 jobs lost due to damaged businesses
Responses pre-disaster
Aug 26th advance warnings givenAug 27th Bush declares state of emergency in Louisiana, Alabama and MississippiAug 28th New Orleans ordered to evacuate (traffic made roads impassable and environment toxic > many turned back).
Relief responses
Aug 29th Search and Rescue teams prepare30th Aug Levees fail (UN coordinates a response)
Rehabilitation responses
Refugees evacuated from New Orleans Superdome due to crime and squalor by 3rd SeptNeighbouring states provide aid (food/water) to refugees - e.g. Texas Houston Astrodome - 3rd Sept State gov (Texas has reached capacity)American red cross - 275 shelters in 9 states
Reconstruction responses
Recovery spending - $120.5 bn in federal spending ($75bn emergency relief) not rebuilding. Private insurance claims covered $30bn of damage. Philanthropic giving $6.5bn.
How did early warning systems help the USA respond rapidly?
National hurricane centre tracked the hurricane allowing FEMA to prepare in advance:US coast guard positioned helicopters etc.FEMA organised teams and supplies e.g. mortuary teamsNew Orleans orders compulsory evacuato (around 80% evacuated before hurricane made landfall reducing risk)
And More effectively
Response continued after the hurricane:Emergency shelters for those who hadn’t yet evacuatedCoastguard rescues 50, 000
