New Orleans / katrina Flashcards
Why is New Orleans vulnerable to flooding?
Sits in between Lake Pontchartrain and Mississippi river.
Wetlands of Mississippi delta have shrunk - starved of sediment because hard management stops erosion upstream and deposition downstream
New Orleans = sinking - heavy buildings + draining of water that supported soil structure
What is meant by an equal opportunity storm?
A storm that doesn’t make a discrimination - e.g race/socioeconomic status.
What evidence suggests that Katrina was not an equal opportunity storm?
For every 4 African Americans that died, 1.4 white people died!
How did the locals respond to Katrina
Brad Pitt’s ‘Make it Right Campaign’.
Constructed 150 affordable homes for people from the lower ninth ward.
What category was hurricane Katrina?
Category 5
How high was the storm surge?
25-28 feet tall.
When was Katrina?
2005
What percentage of New Orleans was covered in water?
Why was this?
80%
Levees collapsed!
How many died?
1,800 +
What were the responses to the event?
220 miles of Levees rebuilt.
10.5 million US aid.
What political impact did Katrina have?
Loose faith in government.
Very slow to act!
What was the environmental impact of Katrina?
Wetlands were destroyed.
