case study - Hurricane Katrina

Question 1

background information, Katrina

Answer 1

• august 2005
• Atlantic Ocean
• category 5
• wind speeds 280km/h
• hit Louisiana and Mississippi as category 4

Question 2

primary impacts of Katrina

Answer 2

Social
- 1m+ became refugees, displaced from homes
- 1836 deaths
- 80% of New Orleans was flooded, below sea level
- 5m left without power

Env
- over 1m acres forest destroyed by flooding

Question 3

secondary impacts of Katrina

Answer 3

Social
- looting

Economic
- fuel and oil prices shot up due to damage
- many businesses affected but had insurance
- $125b damage costs (200£)

Political
- government criticised as they were slow to respond

Question 4

short term responses to Katrina

Answer 4

• $1.8b in public donations, helped to set up shelters
• management and aid sent from within the USA
• warnings given allowed for evacuation 2 days before, state of emergency declared
• international aid from India, hygiene kits and supplies

Question 5

long term responses to Katrina

Answer 5

• many states involved in providing shelters
• $800m spent on rebuilding flood defences, strengthening and replacing them
• congress provided $17b to rebuild damaged housing and infrastructure

Question 6

why was New Orleans vulnerable?

Answer 6

human
- lack of preparation, plan made 19 hours before
- flood defences and levees outdated, repairs only 60% complete
- 150,000 didn’t evacuate

physical
- gulf coast of USA vulnerable to tropical storms
- 50% city below sea level