Tropical storm hazard: Hurricane Katrina Flashcards
1
Q
Describe the location of the storm.
A
2
Q
Describe the tropical storm hazards of Hurricane Katrina.
A
3
Q
What made New Orleans physically vulnerable to tropical storms?
A
- Relies on a 560km levee system built to withstand a category 3.
- The Mississippi gulf outlet acted as a funnel for the storm surge, increasing its height by 20% and doubled in size.
- Over 50% of the land is now below sea level
4
Q
What made New Orleans vulnerable to tropical storms in terms of human factors?
A
- Relies on a 560km levee system built to withstand a category 3.
- 35% of black households in the area do not have a car.
- 28% of people in New Orleans live in poverty.
5
Q
How prepared were the people of New Orleans?
A
- Evacuation plan drawn up by the state authorities only 19 hours before Katrina’s landfall.
- Repair work from previous earthquake only 60-90% completed.
- People in poorer regions forced to stay with public transport failing to meet demands.
6
Q
What were the social impacts of Hurricane Katrina?
A
- Over 1 million people became refugees who were registered in all 50 states
- 110,000 houses flooded and 55,000 badly damaged
- 5m people were left without power and it took almost 2 months for people to be reconnected.
7
Q
What were the environmental impacts of Hurricane Katrina?
A
- 80% of New Orleans was flooded.
- Saltwater intrusions contaminate fresh water sources.
8
Q
What were the political impacts of Hurricane Katrina?
A
- Superdome evacuation centre not prepared with enough food and water for 23,000 people.
9
Q
What are the short term responses of Hurricane Katrina?
A
- 80% of New Orleans was evacuated.
- $51.8 billion allocated from the Federal Funds.
- Over 4200 Red Cross staff and volunteers aided in helping affected areas.
10
Q
What are the long term responses of Hurricane Katrina?
A
- Raised the levees and floodwalls to withstand a category 5 storm
- Land zoning to clear neighbourhoods and create parks in low lying areas.
- Slow response from FEMA
