Hurricane Katrina

Question 1

What category was hurricane Katrina?

Answer 1

Category 5, 3 at landfall

Question 2

when and where did it hit?

Answer 2

Gulf of the USA on 29th august 2006

Question 3

where was the most impact

Answer 3

New Orleans which was 80% below sea level

Question 4

Social Impacts

Answer 4

2,000 died

over 1.2 million displaced with 400,000 leaving New Orleans permanently

African-American communities like Lower Ninth ward disproportionately affected

Many lacked access to private transport and could not evacuate

Superdome housed 20,000 people in unsanitary, overcrowded conditions

spike in PTSD, depression and suicide rates

Question 5

Environmental Impacts

Answer 5

Over 7 million gallons of oil spilled from damaged facilities, such as Murphy Oil in Chalmette

80% New Orleans flooded with some areas under 4.5 metres of water

Over 50 levees breached due to poor maintenance

Over 560 km^2 of coastal wetlands flooded which acted as a crutial storm buffer and habitat

Uprooted trees, loss of habitats and contamination of groundwater

Question 6

Economic Impact

Answer 6

$125 billion in damages

Over 1 million houses destroyed

Roads, bridges, power lines, hospitals and water systems destroyed

25% of US crude oil output temporarily shut due to refinery damage

collapse of tourism in short-term

Question 7

Political Impacts

Answer 7

Criticisms of FEMA as response slow, disorganised and inefficient

Bush faced criticism due to slow action and lack of empathy

Highlighed racial and economic inequality in disaster response

Question 8

Short-term responses

Answer 8

80% of New Orleans evacuated before landfall

US coast guard rescued over 33,000 people

Superdome provided emergency shelter but overcrowded and overwhelmed

Over 70 countries offered aid - e.g. Canada, UK, Mexico and even Cuba

food, water and medical supplies took days to reach some areas

Question 9

Long-term response

Answer 9

Over $62 billion allocated for rebuilding

$14.5 billion spent by US army corps of engineers to redesign flood defenses

FEMA reformed to provide better emergency protocols, inter-agency cooperation and logistsics

stronger building regulations

Reinvestment in wetland restoration and climate resillience planning