hazards -local case study (New Orleans) vulnerability and nature of hazard

Question 1

what is the physical vulnerability of New Orleans?

Answer 1

.lies in the Gulf Coast in the West Atlantic storm belt
.50% of land below sea level -due to soil shrinkage because of previous flood measures
.city is surrounded by levees creating a bowl effect – once water gets in, it can’t easily get out

Question 2

what is the human vulnerability of New Orleans?

Answer 2

.large densely populated city
.history of racial segregation – wealth inequality
and communities in poverty
.a major port

Question 3

what was the hazard that hit New Orleans?

Answer 3

.hurricane Katrina in august 2005

Question 4

what was the nature of hurricane Katrina?

Answer 4

.category 3 storm when it hit Louisiana (140mph winds)
.category 5 storm surge - 5m high
.city grazed by the eye wall

Question 5

what were the primary impacts to hurricane Katrina?

Answer 5

.over 1000 fatalities (most in Louisiana)
.1 million displaced from homes
.80% of the city flooded
.60% of houses flooded, many damaged beyond repair
.1 million acres of forest lost
.breeding grounds for marine mammals, pelicans,
turtles and fish lost

Question 6

what were some secondary impacts to hurricane Katrina?

Answer 6

.rise in oil price as refineries and reefs damaged
.looting of empty homes
.loss of earnings and unemployment as businesses
affected
.racial tensions exposed – worse affected were black