Hurricane Katrina Flashcards
How did Hurricane Katrina form?
The category 5 hurricane began as a very low-pressure system over the Atlantic Ocean.
The system strengthened, forming a hurricane that moved west, approaching the Florida coast on the evening of the 25th August 2005.
Primary impacts
The hurricane caused storm surges over six metres in height.
The levees that protect the city from the Mississippi River and Lake Ponchartrain burst and flooded New Orleans.
1,200 people drowned in the floods, and 1
million people were made homeless.
The storm caused oil spills from 44 facilities throughout south-eastern Louisiana.
Primary responses
The Superdome stadium was set up as a centre for people who could not escape the storm.
The government provided $50 billion in aid.
During the early stages of the recovery process, the UK government sent food aid.
The National Guard was mobilised to restore law and order in New Orleans.
